The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-28
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.


WASHINGTON, July n, 1883
There is some talk in official circles relative to
Commodore Stringhams salute to Baron Bruck,
the Austrian envoy to Constantinople, and good
deal Of interest to hear the Commodore explana-
ton is manifested The Union is certainly wrong
in supposing the salute customary in similar
TO that presented by the accounts from CONSTANT
nople. Under the circumstances related, it was
quite unnecessary, however proper it may have
been in other respects.
The stir made in the matter by kossuth's letter
in the New York Times, has brought up anew an
occurrence which certainly must have escaped the
recollection of Commodore Stringham, if he really
went out ofhs way to honor the Austrian envoy.
More than year ago. during the temporary abb
sence of Mr.. Marsh, United States Minister resi-
dent, the Austrian legation at Consta ntnople sent
an armed force to the American consulate at that
place, who broke into the Consuls office, violated
his papers, hauled down the American flag, closed
up the place, and put the seal Of Austria upon its
door, The American Consul the subject Of this
outrage is now here demanding redress. Surely
extraordinary acts of national courtesy towards the
representatives of Austria, from the deck of an
American vessel, were hardly to be expected
while an affair of the character described remained
unexplained and unsettled.
Hon Robert J. Walker, am happy TO learn,
is in much improved health, and quite busy max
ing his preparations to depart on the mission to
China His present desire and expectation is, to
sail for England about the middle of August; but
nothing is definitely determined He leaves for
New York tomorrow, to arrange his business af-
fairs there for his contemplated absence.
The Navy Department has received further ad-
vices from the steamer Princeton. Chief Engi-
neer Martin has made sundry alterations in the
connexion between her fires and smoke-ppe,
which, by directing greater amount of heat upon
the boilers, it is believed will greatly increase her
ability to make steam, and thus increase her
speed. She will not be likely, however, to be
sent on long voyage without careful and tho
rough trial.
| No further developments have transpired rela-
tive to the fishing negotiations 1t is known that
Messrs Everett and Champion had nearly con-
cluded treaty settling the difficulty Mr.. E.
left the State Department. Since then some new
issue is believed to have arisen, making an ar
rangement more difficult | am inclined to think
the British government is not so well disposed as
it was formerly towards settlement on the basis
Al
and Canada--fearing that the relations which
would be likely to grow up between our people
and the colonsts Guild tend to eventual annexa-
tion 1t is an interesting fact that peace between
the United States and Great Britain depends at
this time almost entirely the prudence and
forbearance of our fishermen. A British fleet
guards the shores of Nova Scotia, ready to pick
up our fishermen if they violate the treaty Of
1878, the crown lawyers construct, even though
they keep the three marine miles from the shore,
beyond which, we admit, we ordered by that
treaty, except for refreshment and refuge. Com
modore Shubrck will endeavor to induce Ameri-
can fishermen not to provoke an armed issue.
But if any one of them chooses to assert the
right which the Administration declares to
be his under the treaty; if, in other words, he
crosses the line drawn from headland to head
land, according to British construction, and if,
while three marine miles more distant from
the coast, he shall be moested by any
of her Majesty cruisers, Commodore Shubrick
Twill be compelled to defend him to the last ex-
tremity in the rights the Administration asserts for
him. | am no croaker, and do not mean to be I'M
derstood as prophesying trouble refer to the
facts simply to show how thin veil hangs be-
tween war and peace, while | still believe peace
will be maintained. Advices from the Commo-
dore will be awaited with deep interest.
Secretary Guthrie is vigorously pushing prepa-
rations for establishing the New York Assay Office.
Estimates of the cost of erecting suitable build
ing-if that shall prove necessary-and of supply
ing the machinery have been made. The appro-
priation of 500 900 made for the purpose during
last session of Congress, it is believed, will be
amply sufficient for the purpose; and the Secre-
tary is determined to decide within a fortnight
what course to take with reference to a building,
and to make selection either of some building al
ready up, or of suitable site for the erection OF
one
The Post Office Department has been nego-
tiating with the Minister from Bremen for the re-
duction of the postage between the United
States and Bremen to ten cents per half ounce.
! should not be surprised if this is accomplished
reduce her transit postage for letters to and from
the Continent passing through her territory, it is
not unlikely another line of steamers may be estab-
lished, running from New York to Ostend, and
carrying the mails at the same rate. The effect
would be to draw from the Liverpool lines the
great bulk of continental correspondence.
ZEKE
SALE BEDFORD SPRINGs.-Ths eminent
watering place in Pennsylvania, it appears, has
been sold. A correspondent of the Baltimore Sun,
in letter dated the 25th instant, says:
| ttMr Anderson tho recent nronrietor has dis