LATE EUROPEAN AND ASIATIC ITEMS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 139, 5 June 1880, Page 2

LATE EUROPEAN AND ASIATIC ITEMS.

* RUSSIA. The Jews are being treated with increased severity : some are forced to represent themselves as Protestant Christians to avoid expulsion from St. Petersburg. Several who have been leading business men for many veal's in the Governnients of Tula, Oriel, and Kharkolf, hove been summarily expelled. Tho Agenco Russe denies that Prince Gortschakoft' is nbout to resign. The province of Kharkoif is boing ravaged by diptheria. Over 100 medical students have recently been arrested on suspicion.

. The new official organ, the Bereg, finds no favour. It does not advocate Liberal measures.

Officials in tho Overland Customhouse have been overhauled for malfeasance. They have been enriching themselves at the expense of tho Government. Clearing, for consideration, high tariffed goods at a low rate of duty.

A despatch from St. Petersburg, April 10, says Gortsshakoff is flying 1 . Telegrams from tho Russian Consul .it Van, Armenia, appeal for liulp, to save the inhabitants of that district from annihilation. Famine is increasing. I"i 0 persons died of starvation at Agtak. Russia is moving in the matter, sending forward supplies, etc. Convicts (political) are being despatched from Russia to the Island of Saglmliun, bj hundreds. The Emperor has presented Alexander of Bulgaria a war steamer, 40.00(1 rifles, and several Krnpp guns, and allowed him to enlist 5000 Russian subjects.

Correspondents will not bo allowed with the Turcoman expedition. Two thousand Chinese troops have crossed the A moor into Russian territory. The Chinese Charge d'AfVuires nnd his whole staff had left St. Petersburg for Pekin.

Wienawski, the great violinist, died at Moscow on April 5. It is reported that General MclikofTs position of Dictator has already become

The Czar will not visit any German watering place this summer. Thefts of gunpowder from the Government mills at Odessa lm\ e been discovered. Batoum is being fortified, contrary to Russia's declaration that it was to bo a free port. GEIIMASY. Bismarck, annoyed by opposition in the Bundesrath, and afflicted with physical ailments, particularly sleeplessness, bad tendered his resignation again. The Emperor, after a long interview with the Crown Prince, rofnsod to accept. Extreme civility is shown to the Chinese Ambassador by the German Minister at Paris, which is supposed to point to secret negotiations between Pekin and Berlin against Tinssia. Heir Oppenheim, formerly member of the Reichstag, and leader of the National Liberals and a Free Trader, is doail. The Emperor, addressing his generals on the anniversary of bis birthday, said ho believed he w:is able to assure them that, they would have no moro opportunity of putting in practice their military knowledge, nil fear of wnr having apparently passed away for tho present. Emigration to the United States is increasing. Bismarck says, in . 'otter to Herrßeuher on disarmament, that German cannot occupy any position but a self-defensive one. AUSTHO-ItUNOARY. The finance Committco, of the Lower House his approved of a loan of 40,000,000 florins. Mr. Vienna Jules Strasser, cashier of the Rothschilds, has been arrested for embezzlement. He lost 500,000 florins in speculations on tho Bourse. His brothers have also been arrested. ITALY. .Sicilian brigands hail oaptnrcd the Dnko of Saxe-Moiiingon, but liberated him on the payment of heavy ransom. Tho amount paid thrf Greek bandits for the ransom of Colonel Synge was £12,000. Colonel Synge is unmarried, and therefore the statement that his wifo shared his captivity is untrno. Without approving the measure, tho Pope submits to the expulsion of the Jesuits ironi France.

I B_v.a fire in Montaiiiwtik, a. Snvoynnl \v ( illujje, 17, lives wro lost unit '\\ dwel,'injjs destroy* I.

j sPAiy. ■ A majority of the cabinet nre incli"™ I to enforce the sentence of death agni nst the regicide Otero, hut tho King ; and Queen are inclined to mercy. I Later despatches say the King, after : listening to his Cabinet, hail signed Otero's i death warrant. BELGIUM. An explosion of fire-damp has occurred in a colliery at Anderlucs. There wore 150 persons in tho pit at the time, most of whom suffocated. TURKEY. A Persian fanatic stabbed the Grand She-roof of Meco, fatally, on the 14th ultimo. There was great excitement and delight in Constantinople at the result of English elections. Greeks, Armenians, Bulgal inns and Christians rejoiced in the result. Four thousand Kourds, pressed by famine, descended recently from the mountains on tho the town of Mardun, Asiatic Turkey, plundered it, and murdered a number of priests and nuns, and several merchants. ASIA MINOR. Terrible distress previals here. Cattlp, sheep and goats are being carried off in large numbers by disease, and tho country between Angoru and Ismid is boeominga desert. INDIA. Proclamation has been issued declaring that the British have now assumed the whole political administration of North and East Afghanistan. Mahommed Jan attacked 2."i0 Hnzarns near Juesynar, on the 4th instant. Ho was killed with the other chiefs. Hard fighting followed, ending with total defeat of the Afghans. A Times Cabul despatch says " There is reasonable hope that in the next few weeks there will be a satisfactory settlement, and peaceful return of our troops to India." Generals Stewart, Barker's and Hughes' commands aro on the march to unite at Mnkur.