AMERICA.

Southland Times, Issue 1546, 5 March 1872, Page 3

AMERICA.

Congress proposes to increase the mail subsidy to Japan to one million dollars, double the present amount, the service to be fortnightly instead of monthly. 7,400,0001bs of tea were imported by that route during the past year. The gTand jury in New York have found indictments against the Tammany Ring. Mayor Hall ia reported among those indicted. Small-pox is raging in New Tork and Philadelphia. A cashier in the Rhode Island National Bank is under arrest for embezzling 200,000 dols. The winter has been unusually severe throughout the northern and western States. A series of heavy snow storms on the plains between Salt Lake and the Missouri River completely blocked up the trans-continental railway track. No mails have been exchanged between the east and west for several weeks, trains being snowed in at various points on the route, and the passengers are reported to be suffering greatly from want of provisions and the intense cold. Great efforts are being made to clear the road. The blockade has given a new impetus to another and more southern road across the continent. The Grand Duke Alexis continues his tour through the States, receiving a public entertainment in every city. In company with several army officers, he had a grand buffalo hunt on the plains. There is great excitement amongst the "Washington officers in consequence of the relations with England, and there ' have been constant conferences bet-ween. representatives of the English and American Governments. The English legation represents that the situation, is of the gravest character. President Grant is firm that the case as presented by the United States should not be amended or withdrawn, regarding the Geneva Commission as a Court, leaving the question to its decision. Despatches from the American Minister are | to the effect that the excitement in London is intense, but no recommendations are made. The English Minister agrees that the Geneva Commission should be treated as .an amicable conference. -The. ffisw Fork Herald says the British representatives in Washington being in-

structed to make proposals of accommodation, and for compromise of the Alabama claims, is an insult to the nation from Britain. It Britain is liable for the loss of our commerce, and the prolongation of the civil war, the damnges awarded must be paid peaceably-, or they will be collected at the point of the bayonet. The Times says the action of the British Government will be matter of surprise to the Americans. The Tribune Bays if the popular clamor in England should compel withdrawal from the Treaty of Washington, it is not the United States that will be the heaviest losers. I The World says it looks as if the ad- j ministration had overstepped its work in trying to make capital out of the controversy, and if the treaty is repudiated the public verdict will be that the President and hia advisers have bungled in- ■ stead of settling it. ) Strong efforts are being used to make I San Francisco a free port. J The heavy rains of last month overflowed the rivers, doing much damage to property. Prospects are good for a bountiful harvest this year. The Legislature is debating the question of the repeal of the Fencing law. The Japanese embassy to the treaty powers, conßistiDg of five of the principal ministers of the Empire, accompanied by sixty secretaries, interpreters, and servants, having arrived in San Francisco, made a close examination of various branches of government and manufactories, and were entertained at a grand banquet. They have left for Washington, en route for Europe.