THE LATEST. HOME AND FOREIGN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXi, Issue 6051, 26 August 1903, Page 3

THE LATEST. HOME AND FOREIGN

! United I'v^ss Assooiafion—tiy Electric I l'elograph—Copyright.

(Received Aug 26,8.56 a.m.) Franco and Abyssinia. A Eailway Trouble.

Paris, Aug. 25 It is reported from Aden that French merchants uto complaining of the scale of taxes levied on the' traffic portion of the French railway traversing Abyssinia, and refusing to pay certain charges. Abyssinia has stopped the construction of the load from the railway at Dirodana to H'jirrar, and occupied tho concession with military, and hoisted the Abyssinian flag. The natives at Jiboutil are alarmed at the presence of troops from the Protectorate. It is understood that Senegalese Sharpshooters will arrive in September, The Whitaker Wright Frauds. London, Aug 25 Mr Horace Avory, Crown Prosecutor, in opening the Whitaker Wright prosecution at the Guildhall, stated that the si aroholders of three Companies had lost rive millions of capital, and witnesses testified that they had increased their holdings, owing to Wright's representations. A Protest. A correspondent of the " Times " protests against the Admiralty selecting Hobart instead of Lyttolton as the port of departure for the Discovery relief expedition. I Cricket. Poidevin, tho ex-New South Wales cricketer, heads the London County averages, with 4-bh runs, Murdock coming i second with 35. A Tremendous Rainfall. A tremendous rainfall has occurred in London. The underground railway was flooded. The rainfall for the eight months is two inches above the average for the whole year. The Pope's Benediction. Romr, Aug 25 The Pope, in a private audience, thanked Cardinal Moran for Australia's congratulations, and gave his apostolic benediction to be conveyed to the Catholics of Australia. (Received Aug 2oth, 1.6 p.m.) American Secretary for War. Washington, Aug. 25 MrW.L. Taft, the Americau Commissioner in the Philippines, has succeeded Mr Elihn Root as Secretary for War. Anglo-German Shipping Move- , ment.

Berlin, Aug. 25 A movement in favour of an AngloGerman combination in connection with the Atlantic trade has been initiated by Herr Ballin, manager of the Hamburg American

steamship line, who in May last was decorated by the Kaiser, with the Order of the Red Eagle, for his patriotism in refusing Mr Pierpoint Morgan's offer of the managership of the navigation syndicate. The movement is making satisfactory progress. The Kaiser is anxious to effect commercial relationships to ensure the friendliness of the two nations.