Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1873 — General News summary. [ARTICLE]

General News summary.

THE OLD WORLD. A Prussian frigate dispatched by the German Consul lif pursuit of the Spanish war steamer, Vigilante, which was captured by the insurgents, overhauled and captured her en route for Almiria, whither she was bound for th purpose of proclaiming that province an inde pendent canton. According to the terms of the late treaty between Russia and Khiva, the Khan is to pay Russia two millions of rubles, (about $1,600,000, gold), and to abolish capital punishment in his dominions. In return for this, Russia guarantees the independence of the Khanate. The Czar’s troops will occupy Khiva until the war indemnity is paid. A portion of the territory of tho Khanate is to be given to Bokhara for assistance rendered to the Russian troops. The Spanish Cortes on the 25th passed a bill suppressing the Admiralty, and President Salmeron issued a proclamation calling 80,000 men of the reserves into active service against the insurrectionists. The Germans had liberated the crew of the Vigilante for fear the German Consul and his family at Cartagena would be shot. A cable telegram of the 27th says the cholera had appeared in the seaport town of Helsingvarg, in South Sweden. The Spanish troops attacked Valencia on the 26th, and after a desperate struggle of five hours’ duration the fighting was suspended, and the insurgents offered to capitulate, but their terms were refused, the Government demanding an unconditional surrender. Seville had also proposed to return to its loyalty to the national Government on certain terms, but as in the case of Valencia, the Government would accept nothing less than unconditional surrender. The Carlist force which was threatening Bilboa had retired from the neighborhood. The Spanish Cortes has deelared itself in favor of the abolition of capital punishment. The German Government disavows responsibility for the seizure of the Spanish steamer Vigilante, and calls upon Captain Werner, commanding tho German man-of-war which effected the capture, to account for his proceedings. The London papers of the 16th give the reply of the Shah to the address sent him on the subject of religious liberty in Persia. He says, in substance,That" Toleration ' is already universal in Persia, no one, whether Christian, or Jew, or Parsee, being subjected to persecution on account of his religion. He will give the subject his best attention on his return to Persia, and take care that justice shall be shown all, without distinction of class or creed. The Vienna correspondent of the New York Tribune says that the trial of mowers and reapers, which took place on the 9th of July was a complete triumph for America. At the last moment the English and French backed out, aud there were only four European machines on the ground. Fourteen American reapers and fifteen American mowers competed. All American machines did their work well, except one which broke down at the start, through no fault of Hie machinc but through the stupidity of the driver. The arrangements jwere stupidly defective. There was no programme or system. . Most of the teams were unused to work, and gave a good deal of trouble. America was unrepresented Ob the awarding jury, which was composed entirety of foreigners. It was reported that all the American mowers and reapers that took part in the trial will get medals; somefor progress, and others for merit. It was reported at Baybnne, France, oh the 28th; that a severe engagement had taken place near Pampeluna, Spain, between the Republicans and Carlists, in which the latter was successful, capt.uring,twp guns and three hundred prisoners. President MaeMahon prorogued the Assembly on the 29th. In liis address he guaranteed to preserve order during the recess, and stated that the Government was resolved to maintain peace, which is France’s present greatest necessity. He made a grateful acknowledgment of the successful negotiations of President Tliiers in securing the evacuation of French soil by the German troops. Vienna dispatches of the 29th state that in tho barracks in the suburbs of that city there had been in one day as many as two hundred cases of cholera and thirty deaths. The number of deaths from that disease in the city was reported at twenty per day. The same dispatches say there was no doubt that many of the highest prizes for goods exhibited at the Exposition will be awarded to Americans. After two hours’ fighting at Seville, on the 29th, the Government troops of Spain gained and held the leading strategic points in the city. The Carlist forces which had been laying seige to Borga for several days had met with a repulse and raised the seige. The approaching marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh and the Grand Duchess Alexandrovna, of Russia, was announced to the House of Commons, on the 28th. Her Majesty asked that suitable provision be made for him in anticipation of the event. -In the -House of Lords, on the 28th, the motion for an annual allowance of $125,000 to the royal pair was carried unanimously without debate, but in the House of Commons the measure met-with opposition. Permission has been granted to tlie GoodTemplars to establish lodges iu Prussia. Paris dispatches of the 30tli ult. say it is currently reported that Marshal MaeMahon will retain the Presidency of the Republic but six months longer, when he will resign and return to the command of the army. It is thought that the Republican form of government will be succeeded by tlie Monarchy, and it is deemed necessary that Marshal McMahon, who lias great influence with the army, should be in command upon the occasion of the change. .