The New York herald., 1876-12-19
r U S S l A..
Reality of the National Sympathy for
the Oppressed Christians.
WAR PREPARATIONS,
Why the Feet Was Ordered 10 America
Grand Duke Alexis Coming.
SUCCESS OF THE RUSSIAN LOAN.

Sr PETERSBURG, Nov. 25, 1876.
Despite tho forbiddng character OF the dull wintry
weather St. Petersburg is rather lively city at the
present time and rivals the bustling nerve-eA
ing style or American metropolis rather than tho
cut-and-dried regularity Of European capital.
Added to natural excitement over the political sit
uation, which grave Russlas peace thnn for
of years past the Court has returned from the
delightful autumn OF the Crmca to the frozen glorcs
Of the Neva speculation Is fevershy active and the
gay life OF clubs and theatres which has been paradox
icaliy, hibernating during tho summer and autumn,
has taken irosn lease, and recommended with the
force OF recklcssncss as 10 possible war, mingled with
that intense longing tor distraction created by CON-
mcrcial crises.
The political situation, although appearing greatly
involved, Is very smple-almost disgustingy so. The
whole heart OF Russia gentle and simple, has been
stirred by the cruel OF brothers in race aud
religion undor Turkish rule, and the events OF the past
six months have not created this sentiment; they have
only intensified and oxasperatcd beyond all former
bounds The Russian mind is SO formed, by genera
tions OF drill that this country is the last to waste
sympathy upon a question Of administrative
wrong doing; but this matter OF Turks depressing
members OF the Greek Church touches very sensitive
point, and In this particular instance has reused
popular feeling which no government would wisely
try to opprcss. There being but one party in Russia
this question, Is only problem OF how TO right
wrong SO near their borders Conferences corrc-
spondence diplomacy and all peaceful means were fairly
exhausted ana thon Russia, terribly IN earnest noby
extrcacd herself from this rcd-ape, sealing-wax en-
tanglement, and simply notified Turkey it to be
case Of reform or light Turkey, Mortified TO find
that her former hackers did not quito their way
doln IN IN indOr her hor
riblc system of domination Christian peasants,
had to succumb within forty-eght hours to Russa's
demand for an armstice of two tbs, within which
time basis for curing the evils of Moslem rule
over Christian subjects In Bosnia, Servia and Bull
eara may be arrived ut
distinct talk OF fight creates rafting OF bones among
skeleton armies and moro less furnishing oil ac-
coutrements among real ones But the general wish
OF the entire family IS icr peace and only
snlolhercd quarrel-that OF Franco toward Germany
which, fortunately, IS 10 no wise touched by the ques-
tiOns at issue
War preparations certainly very active; prepara-
tons being made which always precede groat wars.
aud yet looking below tho surface intended war
can be perceived. The lessons OF 1870 impressed
upon every state in Europe owning gun the advisa-
bity OF keopng it loaded when being discussed,
and to this may be ascrbed the present cartridge
makers jubilee.
RussIA's SINCERITY.
Outside tho minds OF British statesmen OF the
period OF thought no ono tails 10 believe IN
Russias sincerity N dscaimng present designs for
IN time Russia is suppant tho Turk as the
hohenzoilern IS to supplant the Hapsburg IN ruling
German speaking people, but these questions stand
far ahead OF to.day's issues 10 have more than
relative bearing on them.
A fine crop Of rumors is, Of necessity harvested
cacn day only to turn into widowed hay the NOR
row. The latest absurdy in this line is that Poland
threatens trouble to her Russian rulers In case OF out
war the casiiy proved state
mcnt that Russia has no internal trouble whatever
aud Catholic Poland is equally incensed with Orthodox
Russia against the Muss uman.
The probabilities arc that all Russia seeks will be
granted and that something approximatng an equita-
ole substantial government tor the oppressed peo
pie Of the Slavonc race will DO instituted.
Meanwhile thero appears no strong evidence of the
other than sorry lot hardly worth saving except on
broadly Humanitarian principles
why THE RUSSIAN FLEET is COMING AMERICA
The Russian hcet going to America at tho present
time only signifies that IN the event Of break down
in pacific settlement OF the Eastern question base
of operations may be secured which could not be
| found in Europe. with really effective Turkish
rine commanded by an English officer Hobart Pacna)
force against which no one Power could hope
tend, for Russas snglc-nanded action in this matter
prcciudcs the idca OF liked combinations for allies on
| her side beyond the undoubtedly gained assurance
that Germany will not Interfere inimically with what
| Is being done.
The Younger officers OF tho Russian army and navy
naturally eager Tor the tray, and, young officers
/ generally reason, they not particular TO
/ who may bc tho foes, provided tho Turk is among
them.
The imperial family Is somewhat more scattered
than is usual at this period OF the year. The tzar's
4
crrand which would rejoice the heart OF Mrs.
Camp The Grand Duke Alexis is to revisit America
with the fleet now en- route, but in revenge there has
been grand christening OF the last arrived Grand
Duke who is OF Vladimir, and therefore grand.
son OF tho Emperor and soE OF the Emperor's
brother Nicholas, officially known 10 the public as
Nicholas Nicolacvitch fis or the son OF Nicholas tho
son, has attained hs legal majority Of twenty years.
and has been granted the fogd Uirts amid much cere-
| mony. religious aud military.
The st. Petersburg boqrsc has presented fine field
OF late Tor the operator on the bear sldcthat is the
i IL npa he q
| great Russian Bear Tho decline in government loans
and IN the value OF the government paper currency
has been sharp and severe The latter has, within u
lew weeks deprecated ten per cent and the gold pre-
| MUM to-day is about twenty-five Ter cent How
ever. gold IN Russia merely valuable sort OF lead
aud does not enter into fiscal operations or accounts
THIS likely to be somewhat changed by project OF
the government 10 initiate the United States system Of
making customs dues payable In coin.
SUCCESS OF THE RUSSIAN LOAN.
loan OF 100 900 900 roubles carrying i've per cent
interest, Is offered by The government at the issue
price ninety two and as 1t touches tho popular
imcnt Of aiding the nation to war against the Turk IS
floating buoyantly on the wave OF public spirL Busi-
ness matters however, arc as bad IN Russia else
| where, and the commercial people complain Of dull
times. The latest evidence Of commercial rccupcra-
ion is in the cstabs hinent OF an American store"
heart OF ST. Petersburg. sort OF mercantile mission
ary, he is preaching tho word OF American products,
from Cogatc's soap to McCormick's reapers. Verify
the Yankee Is great aud let us hope this daring ven-
turc may be 10 his profit
our worthy Consul General, who has made hosts of
friends during his years oil service at this post
beer much ndisposcd OF late by the rcopcnng OF n
wound received while IN tho federal service during our
|
Tho winter weather has commenced, but occasional
thaws make II very unpleasant and every ono longs
| Tor the clear. crisp cold Of mid.wlntcr.
To tho general surprise Mr. Schuylcr's Turkcstan
has been allowed to DO sold here the Censor Publ
cations doubt realizing that the hard knocks 1t
deals Russian administration have already done all
the mischief possible during Mr.. Schuylcr's conunu
ance in ofIico at the American Legation in Russia
i --