, 1878-05-04
GENERAL NEWS.


fred Hastings Harsford has been Sc
lected as commander of the second
army corps. A considerable pro-
portion Of the first army corps is
likely to be dispatched to Malta in
the course of the coming week, in
cluding portion of the guards.
Many thousand stand Of Martini
Henry rifles are being removed from
the racks ia the Tower of London,
presumably for the equipment OF
reserves. There is great activity at
Portsmouth in preparing fittings for
converting of merchant ships into
armed cruisers. A manufacturing &
firm has received from the admiralty
an order for more than 100 wire tor
pedo nets for the protection of ships
from attacks Of torpedces. All the
nets are to be delivered during May.
Immense quantities of shot and shell
are being issued from Woolwich
arsenal in all directions The first
Indian expeditionary force will en-
bark from Boybay. Two divisions
will leave to-day, consisting of two
batteries OF the royal artillery, 18th
and 31st regiments, second goorhhas
and two companies Of sappers and
miners. The second will embark as
soon after as possible. 1t viii con-
sist of the 9th cavalry, lst Bombay
1ancers, 9th and Goth Bombay infan-
try, and two companies sappers and
miners.
At Bombay dockyard work is be-
ing prosecuted day and night in
fitting ships for troops and horses.
As an experiment OF state policy the
dispatch of native troops to Europe
has proved successful beyond the
hopes of the most ardent advocates.
They are volunteering with enthusi-
asm which has surprised those who
know them best. They are pressing
forward in whole regiments at a
time.
CHICAGO, April 29.-The Times
London special says: There are ex-
citing rumors in London tonight
that collision has taken place be-
tween Russian and English troops
before Constantinople, owing to
Gand Duke Nicholos insisting on
celebrating Russian Easter in the
capital. The present uncertainty is
so unbearable that the report was
received first as relief. As to peace
or war, England has come to be in
different, but something definite is
wanted. The government regard
sudden outbreak of hostilities as
possible.
All preparations are now being
made in view of an emergency. The
fitting out of a fleet for the Baltic is
the English answer to the Russian
subscriptions for cruisers, and the
tremendous efforts of Russia to get
together a powerful feet. Russia
takes every opportunity to introduce
America into her menaces. They
say they are purchasing war ships
and having steamers constructed for
war purposes in American ports. A
Russian American expedition to ex-
anime the Suez canal is put forward
by Russian diplomatists to annoy
England, but the day for small ma
nnuvres is over.
DETROIT, April 2O.-Early this
morning gas main leading into the
Detroit Free Press Office exploded.
The gas ignited and Immediately
fred the whole building. The
presses were stopped and forms of
the paper raised. The firemen we're
promptly on the ground but the
building could not be saved. Twelve
presses and machinery were more or
less damaged. About SAC. 900 worth
of material in the job room was en-
tirely destroyed.
WASHINGTON, April 90 The Star,
this evening. under the head of IAN
Enlopement Sensation announces
that daughter of Senator Mitchell, :,
of Oregon, less than fifteen years of
age, made runaway match last
night with dashing young ex-clerk
of the navy department named Han
dy.
This announcement though likely
to be widely copied is erroneous.
The marriage took place privately
last week and with the consent Of
the brides parents, which they had
previously withheld solely on ac-
count of her being SO young. only
16. The expectant bridegroom,
however, pleaded against the long