The New York herald., 1877-02-05
RUSSIAN GOSSIP.

WINTER ENTERTAINMENTS AT ST. PETERS
BURG-TAE EMPEROR DEpRECATINa Ex-
TRAvAoANcE-THE WAR FEvER-THE sINEws
DIFFICULT TO oBTAIN--GRAND DUKE NIGH
oLAs' HEALTH.
ST.. PETERsBURG, Jan. Is, 1877.
Russia awaits with anxiety the turn OF European
affairs which will decide whether or not the
spring to bring peace war. Tho army
not only looks for war, but almost aches Tor It,
the younger officers wishing TO prove tho sim
certify Of many boast recently inspired by cham
pagno ana mobilization orders, while tho common
soldier 1llod with tho idea that Il is religious
question, that ali his inherited zeal for his Church
presses him on toward holy crusade. With the ccm-
mercal classes there much Of the feeling that
TO exist your side Of the WATER that things
are about as bad as they can bo, and that change
must DO bcnedcial even il In tho wrong direction.
A SUBMISSION.
That the guiding minds Of tho nation, however, arc
stralning every nerve toward peaceful settlement OF
the vcxed Eastern question is TOO patent 10 be qucs-
toned The Turks to be playing their game
applying Oriental friction TO tho machinery Tor re
arranging the status OF their wrctchad Christian SUBJ
jects, temporary evasons, half hoartod co-opera-
tions and finally 'constitution.' have been sue.
cessivcy brought INTO play. Tho Russian press has
given this pretended constitution" wnat would DO
moderate comment is that OF tho Journal de
81 Petersburg, u semi-oiicial organ, which
contents sof by displaying few Of the irreconc,i-
able clauses, and pronouncng the whole paper mere
article acured for export and, like tho German
display at tho Philadelphia Exposition, cheap and
nasty. Meanwhile the term trat lbrother) tor the
Servan has gone into desuetude, owing to the strong
anti Russian feeling displayed by the deposition of the
Russian officers, who have by the way, done all the
lighting worthy Of the name accomplished in Serva.
RUssiA's FINANCES.
The fact is, these Ottoman Christians are q sorry
lot, and speaks we'll for the sincerity of Russlas
position in the Eastern question that she taking 50
firm stand at so great risk, to protect people wbo
TO put It very mildly, do not appear worthy of nor
apprcciatlve of any protection.
The RISK referred to is IN the financial part OF tho
matter Russian finances arc IN bad way despite tho
brilliant management Of Baron Rcutern, very able
Finance Nj nstcr Tho internal Indebtedness need
trouble united and paternaliy governed couu-
try, a point proven by tho avidity with which the
people late loan of 100 0OO 900 roublcs put
by the government cvidently a lceler, as tho
printing press would have the Same volume
OF currency freshcr than that received and at less
expense. But comprised within public dcbt,
roughly appr0ximaLiDg that of tho United States.
stands an ugly item Of indebtedness abroad calling
annually Tor about 900 coin interest, payable
ch icliy in London Hereto inns has been arranged
by Turkish tactics-viz borrowing London the cash
W..
ever London has stopped the supplies Dach cap
al has, with difficulty, been got to fiIl tue gan A
quito recent ukase has madc all customs ducs IN
l.ussia payable in coin, which certainly has
The effect OF advancing the tariff twcn-
y-ave per cent, aud probably viii, II no
fresh demands arise, ease tho STRAIN the borrow
ing agents OF the government. Although Tor
has reached It's ultimate limit in Russia
is question Of her pulling through successfully
should no foreign war intervene. In The latter case,
however, in spite OF tho sacrifices every Russian
u a lrpni In.
tcrnaIly IL makes no difference. The masses would
take an ything representing government yau, witbou
question: but the masses do not sell munon aud
many other things essential TO armed struggles.
FEARS OF GENERAL WAR OVER.
Among wcI.inlormcd Russians tho fears of general
European war seem to have subsidized, and nero
Turkish is the gravcst danger apprchcndcd Even
this would be, and very likely will be, If IL occurs
most serious business.
In tue first place, Notwithstanding the gigantic
amount OF tho raw material With which TO make
arucs, Russias actual hgbunp iorcc, mooilizcd
| on the Roumanlan tronier under comnian nd OF the
Grand Duke Nicholas, amounts 10 rather under than
over 3O0,U men. This IS o very small force
to attempt the snlJuea,ion OF Turkey win;
tor the TURK w,,A all h's fanss, WIN
Ottoman Slavs Will probably amount 10 but little III
point Of real efficacy, nor does II seem clear
side assistance eau be rcckoncd upon Tho most the
other Powers would be nkey TO ccde would be free
ground and favor. Meanwhile this state of ex.
pcctancy is exercising dcmoralzipg effect on Russian
industry and upon commerce. In the prcpar
possible contingencies prices arc advanced Tor all the
MINOR necessaries OF life, although IN the large
accom- ommodations which 5000 roubles would have
purchased last year be readily had AT
present at 1000. No public discomfort is felt,
or at least displayed the tneutc tho streets
OF ST. Petersburg, about which tho qudnuncs 50
agitated, was nj effect about some lads
returning IRON school we're to huriah Tor Jcn DAVIS
| in the streets OF an American city.
ExrRAvAGANcE DISCOURAGED.
st. Petersburg is not SO gay as usual, and Court
festivities have taken place. The Emperor said 10
discourage this season The gay extravaganccs VIII ch
have already in previous winters, been 80 prominent
u feature OF Russian llic and there is much anxiety
felt IN high quarters for the health OF tho Grand Duke
Nicholas who ~ only convaesclng from dangerous
attack OF stomach disorder doubt developed by
recent entrance into camp life.