The New York herald., 1872-11-16
FOREIGN MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

GERMAN SoUADRoN.-An imperial German
squadron Is now lying at Plymouth, England,
in navigation for its officers and men, and is not
expected to return before the Spring of 1874. Ii is
erick Charles; a corvette, the Elisabeth, and the
gunboat Abatross, built originally for the protec-
ton OF the German dag against Asiatic pirates and
since converted to heavier armament The squad
ron Is to be strengthened in South American waters
by two corvettes tor the purpose of practising the
new sailing orders. The Heser Zeifatap holds that
distant parts Of the world should occasionally see
that the German dag can at need be protected by
efficient ships OF war.
DANISH PREPARATIONS FOR WAR-A telegram
from Copenhagen, published 10y the Cologne gazette,
states that the Danish War Minister is preparing
plans for the lorttcatton OF Copenhagen and seve-
raj other points in Denmark. According to the
Hamburg Correspondent the f0rtications OF Copen-
hagen will cost from nine to ten millions of rigs
dalers and the chief points 1t is proposed to forty
are the heights of Frederiksbord and vigersey, as
also another height near Utterslev upon which two
forts will be placed. While thus making ready for
war the Danes do not neglect more pacific means
OF securing what they want. We learn nom Berlin
that deputaton from the inhabitants of sender
burg has arrived in the Prussan capital to present
to the Chamber a oI DEPUTIES petition r asking III ts
to the filth article of the Treaty OF Prague.
INCREASE or SUICIDES IN ENGLASD.-sulcides
have increased OF late years in England IN the
six years 1s59-64, the annual average little
over 90 TO every 1,oooooo Of population; but in the
six years 1S65-10 the latest period to which de-
tailed returns extend, the annual average was
nearer to 6s than 67 in 1000 900 of the population.
In the first six years the suicides OF year only
once reached 70 per 900 of population; In the
last three years, 1865 49, 20, the rates were 20,
70 and 20 per 1,000,o0o The range IN the twelve
years from 62 per 1,00o0 600 in 1867 to 73 in 1861
Comparing the last period OF six years with the
first, we find that the suicides by drowning bear
q larger proportion 10 the whole number OF suicides
than they did; but there Is smaller proportion Of
suicides by hanging than formerly, though that is
still the most frequent mode OF self-destructlon.
ABOUT CHAMPAGNE.-Bad news for champagne
drinkers comes from France. The vintage this
Autumn is said to be little more than one-third
that OF average years, and unfortunately, follows
two years by no means remarkable for the abun-
dance of their yield. Very little wine remains in
STOCK as the sales during the last two years have
been unusually heavy, especially OF the first brands
AT Epernay alone more than eight millions have
been sold in the last year, the champagne mer-
chants in order TO meet the demand selling. II is
said, wine only one year Old In bottle, instead of
keeping Ii three four or even five years before ex-
porting it, as they were in the habit of doing. In
many dstrcts-notaby in the valley of the Marne
and near the village OF flsmes, where nothing but
cheap red wine was made few years ago-the de-
mand for champagne has caused the owners OF vne-
yards to make nothing but white wine, which has
risen in estimation every year on account of the
deficiency III the general crop.
THE LAuRIuM MINEs.-Greece is ingenious in in
venting political complications to an extent alto.
gether dsproportioned to her size. and ii is curl
Gus to 1nd her old poetic names cropping up from
mean re 't things Ddeed The mines Of NJ very
torcal to the old Greek chronclers, have hence.
forth become historical by-word OF which Greece
will not be proud, but ashamed The story NAV be
told in very few words. a Frenchman and an
Italian discovered that the mines were by no
means exhausted, purchased them, and received
from the Greek government guarantee for their
safe possession on the payment OF TO- 500 francs
They found all they expected and more and the
once deserted Laurlum became one OF the main
fountains OF Greek prosperity. From IL spread
ships roads and every channel OF labor and trade
The government, which enjoyed all these indirect
benefits became greedy for the source, Of which it
had already disposed They claimed an exorbitant
tax on the company, and 2,000 900 francs for back
payments legally undue. The company refused to
pay, and the diplomatic agents Of France and Italy
interfered. At last, amid the pressure OF French
difficulties the owners OF the mines offered to sell
them to the Greek government ior 9l4 00o, ,oo0
This required legislative sanction, which was re-
fused, and the Minister In consequence resigned
His successor proposes TO refer the matter TO the
Judges a course obviously meaningless and absurd
In the Interests OF the company II is satisfactory to
know tnat France IL recovering her diplomatic i'm
portance, and that Italy Is quite strong enough TO
make herself heard. Greece needs a few lessons in
commercial morality, and the case OF the Laurum
mines offers an admirable opportunity Tor nstruc-
tion,-L0nd0a Globe