The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-09-01
Foreign Affairs.

Gen. Grant is in Scotland, and was to have
the freedom of the City of Edinburg yester-
day.
Edmond de Rothschild, Of the house OF
Rothsehild Brothers in Paris, is engaged Ia
the daughter of the chief of that house ia
Frankfort. The marriage will be celebrated
IN that medieval seat Of the German Diet,
which was also the cradle Of the Rothschild
family
Ex-Governor Tilden is now in Kent visiting
the home Of his ancestors. He returns to
London in few days, thence he will go to
Paris. Governor rilden declines all public
or civic courtesies, and has refused special
train to Dover and a free passage on the
staemer to Calais.
Paris has population Of 100000, about
double that of New York, and about half that
Of London, a funded debt Of nearly Si00, 600,
900, and an annual interest outflow of S5I, g.
! 000, 900. This enormous debt has been con.
tracted in the various military and revolution
airy struggles through which she has passed
Hardly a cable telegram comes along now
| from the fields of the Russ.Turkish war that
does not give information of Russian re.
verse of some sort-the loss of a position
lately occupied, the repulse Of an attack, n
retrograde movement, or something of the
kind. From being very briskly on the often,
sive, the whole policy Of the Russian armies
in European Turkey seems now to be defen-
sive.
For an insult TO her Consul in Nicaragua,
Germany threatens to send q fleet and an
army to South American shores, unless a
speedy apology and fine of $50, 900 is render
ed unto the offended official. 1t would be
cheaper for Nicaragua to pay the fine, unless
indeed she could retaate in Colorado beetles,
which all Europe fears. But the South
American coieoptcyd, although vastly more
snowy, are not nearly so useful for purposes
of invasion as theirplain Northwestern breth.
rem. If they were, the German fleet might
well beware of attacking shores so guarded.
Dom Pedro and the Empress have been
visiting Switzerland. In Zurich the Emperor
was up by daybreak and wandered about the
streets, while half the population was yet
asleep. On July 20 he mounted the Righi
with the Empress. July so he rode from
Righi to Vitznau, and while crossing the val.
ley, stood by the engineer on the locomotive
to get better view. The Empress was &C.
companied by only single maid, and herself
carried her satchel, Ind the royal couples
entire lack Of pretention filed most observers
with overpowering amazement In Ln2erne
the citizens serenaded the royal couple at
their hotel, but before the muse was over
Dom Pedro had made his exit by side en-.
trance, and incognito was wandering delighted
through the streets.
Advices from Panama to the 18th say the
question Of confederation of the five States
Of Central America is again prominent
President Barrios, Of Guatamala, is leader in
the matter. Guatemala, Salvador and Hon
duras have declared for the scheme, but it is
believed that Nicaragua and Costa RIGA
which are yet to be heard from-will not as
sent to it. The question arising from the
attack made on the German Consul at Leon,
sin his private character has assumed seri
Gus proportions, and has been submitted by
Nicaragua TO the United States and England
Germany's ultimatum is demand for an
indemnify Of $4,000 and the salutng of the
German flag. "lf the demand is not com
piled with Immediately on its receipt Ger.
man squadron will be sent to Nicaraguan
waters, and an Imperial army will march
to Leon and enforce the demand
Desperate fighting in the Schipka Pass, of
the Balkan mountains for the last four or FIVE
days is evidence enough Of the importance Of
that pass 10 the Russians as invaders, and the
view of that fact that the Russians were allowed
n month ago to seize it without struggle
Since the advance of the Russians south of the
Danube, they have occupied the country com.
| prisedi triangle, having the Danube between
| Nikopolis, the crossing place, and Rustchuck
as the base, and the Schipka pass as the apex.
The advances made south Of the Balkans were
| probably Reconnaissance in force, and could
not bot be made of any real importance while
| two large Turkish armies threatened the Rus.
sian communications north of the Balkans
The triangle of country described as being
occupied by the Russian forces, separates two
| Turkish armies whose forces would be Joined
/ by those of Suleiman Pasha, If the latter
could force his way through the Schipka pass
| driving the Russians before him and that is
| the object of the desperate fighting Of the last
few days. A short time ago the Russians
were beaten at Plevua, on the western side
of their triangle, and last week there was
some hard fighting at Aghaslar, on the east.
ern side of the triangle, with no marked
advantage to either side. The Turks are now
forcing the fight with the evident purpose OF
Gripping the Russians before the arrival OF
the expected reinforcements for the latter,
and the next few days will probably deter.
mine the result OF the years campaign II
the Russians should be driven from Schipka
pass, they will have to fight with as much
pertinacity as the Turks to regain the adyan.
tage, and in the meantime they may be
compelled TO go into winter quarters in Bul.
garia. Turk has apparently met Turk in the
reckless bravery with which assaults are
made and attacks repulsed and, judging from
recent dispatches neither party knows when
he is beaten.
|