The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-03-02
FOREIGN NEWS.

By the p. NJ. S. S. australia, which arrived on
Tuesday last from San Francisco, we have dates
from that city to the 18th inst. and from London
to the 18th. the most interesting items of which
we give in a supplement for the benefit of our island
readers. The news from American is of unusual
interest to our community, but our limited space
forbids more than a very brief summary.
In Congress, the Committee on Education and
Labor (Jan. 81, took the first decided step towards
the solution of the Chinese question by a resolution
requesting the President TO open negotiations with
England, France, and other European powers
having treaty stipulations with China, for the pur-
pose of ascertaining what steps can be taken TO check
coolie emigration.
After the ratification Of the treaty between the
United States and Samoa, Mr.. Mamea, the Samoan
Ambassador, with his counsel and adviser, Mr..
Colmesnil will leave for his nome in a few days.
They will be conveyed from San Francisco in the
TuScarora. As the harbor of Pago Pago is coded
to the United States q survey Of that port and
adjoining waters will soon be made. Commodore
Wilkes pronounced the harbor to be the best in the
South Pacific Ocean. The present revenue of Samoa
amounts to S1OO,0 900 q year, and it is supposed
the revenue will he increased by a regular tariff to
S400, 900. From such tariff, it is agreed that the
United States shall be exempt. The San Francisco
and Australian steamers pass within sight of the
Islands.
1t is understood that the provisions of the Silver
Bill, as passed by the Senate, are acceptable to the
House, although some modification may be sought
of the paragraph restricting coinage to the minimum
Of s ,000,0 900 and q maximum Of $4,000, 900,
monthly. The indications at present are that the
two Houses will unite upon a measure that can be
passed over a veto. There was a time when those
who upheld a single standard hoped and believed
that the President would veto the bill, if it was
passed, but should he do 80. there is no longer any
doubt that it will be passed by the requisite two
thirds vote. The desire of the people, East, West
and South, for silver, is said to be so overwhelming
that it would be impossible for Congress to resist
the pressure that would be brought to bear for the
passage of the bill, even if it should desire to do so.
A disastrous fire occurred in New York on the
evening of Feb. II. destroying property estimated
at nearly 81, 600, 900. The fire broke out in a six
story iron front building situated on Twenty-Second
street, near Second Avenue, and besides other pro-
perty burned two churches.
In the Legislative Assembly of California, after
q good deal of opposition, the bill charging the
appropriation for the support of the jamestown as
q training ship, was passed. 1t provides that
double the present number of boys may be put on
board of her, to be trained for the mercantile
service. 1t is stated that there are 5000 men out
of employment in San Francisco, who are living
partially, upon public charity
Baden Baden is named as the place at which the
Peace Conference will meet. 1t is rumored that
IN consequence OF an agreement with Russia,
Turkey will not send a delegate to the conference.
A special from st. Petersburg states that an often
sive and defensive alliance between Russia and
turkey is 10 De lncIuQeu IN Inc QennltlVe treaty
of peace. Russian sailors have gone to the Sea
of Marmora to man the Turkish ships about to be
surrendered.
British colonies in different parts of the world
are putting their seacost defenses and military
forces in an effective state. They evidently expect
trouble.
Stanley was in London Feb. 8, and was the re-
cipient of marked attention. He delivered a lecture
before the Royal Geographical Society at st. James
Hall, which was crowded with a most distin guished
and fashionable audience.