NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THERE has been no change in the aspect of affairs during the week. The hope of peace has been given up, but the formal declaration of war is still delayed, apparently because every day makes the preparations more complete. It is now believed that the Czar intended to start for Kiacheneff on the 19th inst., accom- panied by his son, and that the'inanife,sto which will explain his decisions to his people will be ylilished at Moscow, and reach England early next week. The Rasian troops will at once com- mence the passage of the Pruth and the long march through Roumania to the Danube, which will occupy them through the first half of May. Whether they will be met iu Roumania is still uncertain. The local belief that the Turks will cross the Danube, occupy points on the northern side, and perhaps threaten even Bucharest, is very strong ; but the advance would be a rash one, and the Turks will scarcely care to leave the vicinity of their fortresses, more especially if, as many symptoms show, they honestly dread an Austrian occupation of Bosnia, and intend to resist it by force. It is more than probable that this is arranged and is kept secret, to avoid opposition in the Parliament atitesth. According to the latest telegrams, the Turks have decided to re- victual Niksich, and AO bring on an engagement with Montenegro, and one account represents a battle as having already occurred, with the usual result—the total defeat of the Ottomans—but this is unconfirmed. On the whole, the general. situation resembles the moment of suspense on a battle-field before the first shot is fired. 4
