CABLE NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5896, 23 February 1903, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association—By Biectrio Telegraph—Copyright London, Februsry 21 j Mr Ritchie, Chancellor of the Exchequer, I replying to a coalminers' deputation, denied that the coal tax injuriously affected either owners or colliers. Wages had been higher, employment better, than m 1899. There was no prospect of repealing the tax. An amendment to the Address-in-Reply, moved by Mr Swift MaoNeill, that Ministers should not aot as directors of companies, was negatived by 147 to 109. Mr Balfour stated that if the supporters of the amendment had their way public life would not be purer, but poorer. Mr Cooper, late chief officer of the Ceronthic, who had been summoned Home to give evidence at the inquiry into the boatswain's accidental death, committed suicide aboard the Gothic on Monday. Cooper latterly had suffered from depression of spirits. The Eussian-Persian Customs tariff m reality governs the whole of the Persian trade. It favours Russian imports and exports, while Britain's trade is crnshingly handicapped. Thus the duties on Manchester piece goods, imported to the value of two millions sterling, have been increased by four per cent., and those on Indian tea, which is almost a monopoly, by ninety-five per cent. The duties on Persian exports to Great Britain are largely augmented. All the Powers have recommended the Sultan to appoint an Inspector-General of the Macedonian vilayets for five years. Great Britain's proposal for a GovernorGeneral to be appointed by the Powers was considered too radical for the Porte. Eome Feb. 20 The Pope has received thousands of congratulatory telegrams on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his rule. New York,' February 20 New York, February 21 *a i ra,eri^ an« House of Representatives SWJ 6-W*""* Committee's report on the Bill inflicting the death penalty for SKS"!?' VioeJ&ridZfc or Ambassador the death penalty also on aiders and abettors, and death or ten year? imprisonment for attempts on their lives Drastic punishments are also inflicted for preaching anarchism, m, „ , Constantinople, Feb. 21 The Porte reiterated its instruction to the authorities m the Aden "hinterland" to comply with British wishes and enable the delimitation of the territory to be proceededwith. v rm. tt *« Washington, Feb, 21 Ihe House of Representatives adopted a Bill providing for the construction of three battleships, a cruiser, and three training ships, also for doubling the number of cadets at Annapolis, and adding 3000 men ■ to the Navy, and 550 to the Marine Corps. ' mv Sydney, Feb. 21 There are 162 cases of typhoid at Coon- ' e > fc! !enty-one being fresh cases since » Wednesday Five oases of scarlet fever aro . also recorded. • Ah Kin was found "Guilty" of man- ; slaughter by stabbing a boy at Waterloo, and sentenced to four years' imprisonment 1 m, .■ Adelaide, Feb. 21 i Three counterfeiters, Osborne, Williams i and Everest, were found «Guilty." Ost borne, who holds a bad record, was sentenol ed to imprisonment for life,and the others •to ten years imprisonment each ' ■-