, 1875-03-20

districts. Criminal proceedings have been
instituted against the editor of the Ger
mania for having published in its columns
the late encyclical letter of the Pope to
the Prussian bishops, condemning the
ecclesiastical laws, and pronouncing ex-
communication against the clergy who
accept benefces by appointment Of the
State. The Emperor, who Is now but two
years short of four-score, has been con-
fined to his room for some days by a slight
cold. Moltke, too, has been laid up with
catarrhal fever, and was for some days in
a dangerous state. He is now, however,
nearly we'll again. Deputy Lasker has
also been Frustrated by an attack of gas
trio fever, although his position does not
seem to be regarded as particularly serious.
RUSSIA.
Russia seems determined to develop her
resources, and to be as little dependent as
possible upon foreign exports. Thus the
Minister of Public Works has presented
his scheme for extending the railway sys-
TEN by the construction of S 5000 versts of
new lines. The Siberian or Ural lines and
the coal-pit railways in the Donetz terrific.
ny will be first constructed. The direction
which the Ural Railway is to take will not
be decided until March or April. The
statement that a tax of so copecks per
pood would be levied upon rails imported
from abroad is not yet confirmed.
SPAIN.
The severe weather has prevented active
n.o.a4;ouu ouosoo4 46o Nou1..A. NE.I-l4I
passes have been showed up, and King
Frost may save the AIfonsists much trou-
BILE. A rumour reached us the other dav
to the effect that a Spaniard had been
arrested who had stationed himself at the
palace gates with the object of stabbing
the young King. This would have in
volved a personal encounter, in which,
perhaps, the would be assassin might have
come off second best. AS might be ex-
pected, however, the report turned out
to be untrue, and the person who tele-
graphed " the news" has been arrested.
The King has signed a decree granting an
amnesty to a number of convicts. The
conscription by lot for 10000 men has
commenced in the provinces.
ITALY.
At the next Consistory four Ecclesias-
tical provinces will be created in North
America, in order to spread Catholicism.
An inquiry having been put in the italian
Parliament respecting the question raised
by Prince Bismarck's despatch on the
subject of the next c|oncIave of cardinals,
the Minister replied that it was natural
that Italy should have exchanged views
on this question with friendly Powers,
but the delicate nature of the subject did
not permit him to give any further expla-
nations. Signor Visconti- Venosta affirmed
that Italy's first duty would be to guard
the security of the c%onclave and maintain
public tranquility. 1t appears that Italy
has not yet come to any final resolution
on the subject Of the st. Petersburg Confer
ence.
TURKEY.
The Sultan is a rare stickler for prece-
dence. The Turkish Government has not
yet acknowledged King Alfonso, nor has
the Sultan replied to the letter in which
his Majesty announced his accession to the
Spanish throne. A similar letter was ad-
dressed to Prince Charles of Roumania.
and the Porte considers this act an infringe
ment of its rights over the Principally.
No relations with the Spanish Government
will IL is said he entered into until Al.