, 1878-02-23
GENERAL NEWS.

BERLIN, Feb. 17.--Journals here cp-
posed to the policy of Austria state that
Admiral Hornby has been ordered to
seize the Turkish fleet if necessary to
prevent its surrender.to Russia.
LONDON, Feb. 7.-Intelligence re>
cei> ed at Paris says that owing to EN-
peror Williams friendly intervention,
Russia has resolved to maintain an atti-
tude which cannot imperil the peaceful
solution of existing difficulties. Accord
ing 10 the latest information, England
and Russia will maintain their respects
i've military and naval positions during
the session of the congress. No other
power will enter the Dardanelles, les: it
should increase the complications.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1S-The supreme
court to>day decided that railroad
company having contracted to forward
cattle is responsible for their transports
alton over the whole route as well on
the tracks of other companies as on its
own; that railroad company, unless
forbidden by their charters, have power
to contract for shipments the entire dis
tance freight is to be carried over con-
Meeting lines, affirmed.
BERLIN. Feb. 13-In the reichstag to :
day in response to an Interpolation OF
Benningsen, Bismarck stated he had
little practically now to tell. He then
discussed the separate provisions of the
preliminaries of peace, and showed that
Germany's interests are not affected in
such q manner as to oblige her to de-
viate from her previous attitude. He
described that apprehensions respects
ing the Dardanelles are not justified by
the actual situation. Regarding the pos
sition to be taken by Germany. he said
he could not now give any official infor>
nation as the documents only came to
his possession to>day He did not be-
lieve in European war as the powers
who opposed Russia would have to as
sumo the responsibility of the legacy
left by Turkey. Germany was in favor
of fastening the assembling of the cons
ference which perhaps will meet within
the first fortnight of March. He reject
ed emphatically all suggestions that
Germany should intervene, and de-
elared she was willing honorably to me-
diate, but did not wish to exercise the
Office of arbiter of Europe.
LONDON, Feb. 19-The Times says
that U. s. funds have surprised many
people b. advancing instead Of falling
on the news that the silver bill passed
will insure its becoming law in much
its present shape. We have always said
that the public was not selling stock to
any appreciable extent, and the weak
ness which has now and then charac-
tafized bonds. was due as r1uch as any
thing to passing fears of dealers and to
speculative selling which only made the
market harder. Hence on receipt of
better New York prices and because the
worst was now known, the market ma
= turally rose by the mere efforts of those
who had sold to buy back. Besides it
has been noticed that the limitation put
upon the quantity of silver that may be
coined in q given time is itself tartae
mount to making silver subsidiary for
coinage, at all events for some consid-
erable time, SO that there is little alarm
felt and holders stick to their bonds.
The only thing that will lower the price
of these or any other high class bonds
just now is dearer money.
In addition to vessels now in the bay
of Mundonia are smaller ships, includ-
ing the Torch and Antelope, Flaring,
Basilisk and Cygnet. on the Busporus
or at the entrance of Black Sea to keep
watch over the straits and hold them>
selves at the disposal of the ambassador
and consuls.
It is stated on authority which cannot
be questioned, that 70, 600, 900 of human
beings are starving in famine stricken
provinces of North China.
CHICAGO, Feb. 19-The Tribune's Lon
don A. NJ. special says; While all in
dications point to peaceful settlement
of the eastern question there is no
doubt that Austria, like England, is
preparing for war in case present nego-
tiations fail. At Pesth $4,000 troops
have been quietly assembled and con-
tracts made for forwarding provisions
to them if they should take the field.
Two camps of 10000 have also been es-
tablished at Palosa, near the Galencia
frontier.
To-day important statements may be
expected in the pariiaments of England,
Austria and Germany.
SAN Francisco, Feb. 19-The latest
from Sacramento says no danger is to
be apprehended from the flood. The
water is up to the level of the Front
street railroad track, but it must rise
about two feet higher to overflow the
higher ground beyond. Some buildings
below r street levee have been wrecked
and DRAINAGE of water insida the 1eyees