ARRIVAL OF THE ALAMEDA WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL (VIA SAN FRANCISCO).

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 143, 18 June 1891, Page 9

ARRIVAL OF THE ALAME DA WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL (VIA SAN FRANCISCO).

GENERAL SUMMARY.

(European dates up to May 27th.)

The question of the marriage of the two sons of the Priuco of Wales will bo sotfclod ab a family council soon, to bo held at Windsor Castlo. The Prince objects to the marriage of his sons with German Princesses, on the ground that ib will impair hio popularity. Bevindgo'e pickle factory, Glasgow, was destroyed by fire on May 26th. When the fire broke oufc all tho hands were ab work, and there were nearly 100 women and girls employed. They took refuge in the Upper floor, from ivhonco they were taken by tho firemen, and nono too soon, as some of the women's dressea were already on fire. Several persons were badly injured. James Mclloary, a well-known Notv York lawyer and financier, and formerly prominent in Erie Railway affairs as an opponant of Jay G-ould, died in London, May 26th.

Tho Hamburg-American steamer Fuerst Bistnark passed Scilly at 4.30 p.m., May 27fcli, 6 days 14 hours and 30 minutes, from New York, making the beeb time on record.

Tho deaths of Professor Charles William Noegeli, German botanist, and Joseph lioumatnille, a Provencal poet, were announced May 27th.

The seizure of a cargo of cattle at Liverpool, on board the steamer Hunn, from Montreal, May 26, was unjustified. There wa3 no trace of pleuro-pneumonia among the animals, aa tho Government analyst testified after investigation. The Bishop of London, Frederick Temple, received a mysterious letter lately, warning him that an attempt would bo made to

assassinate him on Sunday, 23rd, afc St. Paul's Cathedral. The Bishop placed the letter in the hands of the police, who took steps to protect the prelate, but the search for the writer of tho letter was in vain.

The House of Commons, on May 26th, refused to pass a Bill legalising the electiou of women as members ot country councils.

Intelligence wa3 received from Capetown, May 26bh, that H.JVJ. warehip The Magicienne bad lauded a force, and occupied Beira ou beiialf of tho British Government.

As a souvenir of bar visit to Balmoral last autumn, Queen Victoria has sent the Queen of Roumania some splendidly-bound copies of Her Majesty's "Highland Journal," and a 5-volume edition of Sir Theodore Martin's "Life of the Prince Consort." Roumanians Quoan responded with a volume of her own poems, written on vellum, each page superbly illuminated, and enclosed in a cover of painted vellum.

The Prince of Wales was suflering on May 25th with another attack of varicose vein?.

There are persistent rumoua in English political circles that Lord Lansdowne will soon retire from the post of Viceroy of India on account of impaired health.

The trade for canned salmon from the Pacitic Coast; has become moro brisk in England, particularly in the north, where a preference is shown for the Alaska fish.

G. A. Tyffe, tho historian, was again charged, on May 'Abth, at the Croyden Police Court, with a brutal assault on a boy. Tha Doan of Westminster, Horace Davy, Sir George Grove and others gave testimony us to tho honourable character of the accused. He was committed for trial.

On Saturday, May 24th, Lord Romilly upset a paraffin lamp in the drawing room of bis London residence, and he attempted to extinguish the fire that followed unassisted. Shortly after, the butler, smelling smoke, began to investigate, and found his master tying senseless in tho room, which was all ablaze. He was removed to a hospital, where all attempts to revive him failed. The firemen on entering the house found Blanch Griffin and Emma Lovell, servants, also insensible. They were removed to the Hospital, where it was found both were doad. Byrne, a fireman, received serious injuries. The tiro was extinguished with but little trouble. The decision of the West Derby Liberals to join the Conservatives in electing Victor Cavendish to succeed his father, Edward Cp.vendish, in the House of Commons, has causod a disruption of tho Liberal camp in that district. The straightoufcs will organise an opposition to the alliance. Rev. Dr. McLaean. the new Archbishop of York, is a Scotchman by birth, and with moro liberal religious tendencies than his predecessor, Dr. Magoc, but is exacting on points of discipline. Rudyard Kipling still continues in poor health in London, and will shortly return to India. The manager of St. James's Theatre has commissioned him to write a comedy.

Fivo thousand men, employed in the steel works of Blacklow, Vaughn, and Co., London, were discharged May 23rd. Cause, dulness of trade.

The " St. James' Gazotte" demands an explanation from Bramwell Booth, son of the General, why he is a creditor in the sum of £2,000 of the bankrupt stock of a broker uamed Taylor, and suggests stock gambling with the funds subscribed for the Salvation Army.

Tcheng Xi Tong, firet Secretary of the Chinese Legation in London and Paris for six }eai's, suddenly disappeared on April 19th, and caused a great sensation in diplomatic circles. Early this spring he opened negotiations with two London banks aad the Banquo do Paris for a loan of £1,400,000. He departed for China at the time named, having debts and defalcations amounting to a largo sum. The "Times" says it is the most scandalous abuse of diplomatic privileges known in this country. The Banque de Paris is a heavy loser. There was an imposing labour demonstration in Victoria Park, May 17th. Fifty thousand men, members of all the Unions in London, turned oub and marched to the Park to welcome Secretary Wilson, of the Seamen's Union, who had just becn_ released from prison, where he waa confined for his action in connection with the recent dockers' strike at CardifF. There were six platforms, from which forty speakers addressed the meeting on themes suggested by the uaturo of the occasion. Interviews were obtained with a number of Welsh tin-plate makers in London on May 17th in regard to the impending stoppage of production in July. They declared the efiecb of the shut-down would not bo to raise prices. The American market is overstocked at present, and the supply on hand is sufficient to meet all demands for a long time to come. When the normal relation between supply and demand is restored, production can be resumed, and tho manufacturers expect to then see tho American trade regain its former proportions. , ~.. , „ The parents and mends of Miss Amy L. Fowler, in England, received letters (May 16th) from her, announcing her marriage, April 21sb, with Dr. Carl Lutz. Miss Fowler was known as Sieter Rosa Gertrude, an English Protestant religieuse who went last year with a eocd deal of parade, of her own volitioD, to nurse and teacb the lepors at Molokai, Sandwich Islands, intending to remain single and devote hor life to that purpose. Lutz is the physician in charge of the leper settlement. A heavy fall of snow occurred in Wales,

and also in Cumberland county, England, May 16th. In London it was bitterly cold same date, with a heavy hailstorm in the morning. The cold snap carried oft a large number of influenza patients who were hovering between life and death.

Tho London Transatlantic Cattle Trade Committee made a report, May 16th, which gives an implied approval of tho United States' regulations for the inspection and shipment of cattle.

Early on the morning of May 19th, the Liverpool police found in the Mersey a sailor's clothing-bag, in which was the dead body of a boy, apparently nob over fifteen years of age. The boy had baen but recently killed. His throat was cut from ear to cur, and his legs vrero severed from his body. A now knife and saw were found with the remains. On the bag was painted the name " Tarn Girvin," but, further than thia, there was no clue to the murderer. The police are searching all the ships and sailors' resorts for "Tarn," or some person who may know him, or his bag, as a means of discovering the perpetrator of the deed.

London despatch, May 12th, mentions an innreaso in the household of tho Duke of Fife.

Tho attendance at the labour meetings in Hydo Park May 3rd waa estimated at from 200,000 bo 300.C00. John Burns, Thomas (President of the Dockers' Union), Benjamin Tillets and Mr Graham (Socialistic M.LVs) wore among the speakers. A resolution in favour of a compulsory labour day of eight hours was moved ab ail tho platforms.

Lord James Edward Sholto Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queonsberry, committed suicide in London May sth, by cutting his throat with a razor. Ho had travelled from Ireland during tho night, behaving in such a sbrango mannor that tho railroad officials ordered one of the employeos to accompany him to London. On arriving there Douglas pub up at an hotel, but subsequently eluded his attendant and ended his life iv tho manner stated.

ENGLAND'S FINANCES

On the second reading of the Budget Bill in the Commons, May 26th, Hareourfc attacked Goschen's policy, asserting it was a subversion of tho recognised principles of English finance. Tha House was told, he aaid, that the Government's free education plans would absorb over £1,000,000, bub tho House was not informed of tho method by which the money would bo applied. Again, the financial system which tho Government followed in borrowing from future rovenucs for naval expenditures was essentially erroneous and destructive of sound finance. Ke wanted to know tho intention of tho Government in regard to tho coinage of gold, and also what part the Government took in connection witll the Baring guarantee. Tho course in the latter ha thought a dangerous precedent. Goechen, in reply, said the Government had a precedent for their financial policy in connection with naval expenditure?, in the course taken by the Liberals in regard to briny localisation. Touching upon tho subject of the Earing guarantee, Goschon said no part of this guarantee was undertakon, dtroctly or indirectly, by the Government. The coinage- question would nob involve any additional burden on tho Treasury.

THE QUEEN'S HEALTH.

After the drawing-room reception for the week of May 16th, Queen Victoria had a sort of somnolent attack from which she was aroused with difiiculty, and then showed great nervous irritation. Sho became dizzy before the proßentations had been finished, and, requesting the Princess of Wales to remain to the end, qui6tly retire:!. No sooner had she entered her apartments than ehe .sank into a stupor. Persona nearest Her Majesty concur that there has been a marked visible decrease in her vitality the past six months. She drops asleep unexpectedly at odd times, and awakes in a very irritable mood. She had promised to lay tho corner stone of a public institution at Derby on Tuesday, May 19th ; but her physicians forbade the task, and the Prince of Wales officiated in his mother's place. Tho Queen has been greatly worried by family mutters during the pasb year. Concerning the Prince of Wales' health the latest report is that ho is recovering from an attack of rheumatism.

STANLEY INSULTED.

The explorer, Henry M. Stanley, wbe D about beginning a lectnro at Albert Hall, Sheffield, on the evening of May 15tli, was interrupted by a man walking up the passage-way, and handing about pamphlets from a largo bag. On the cover was the title, "Stanley's Exploits; or, Civilising Africa." The book was thought to be, at first, one of Stanley's lectures in print; but it proved to be a violent attack upon him. The cry, "Put him out" (meaning the distributor), was thon made. A second man was circulating the books in the gallery, and the came cry was speedily taken up there. Somo of the audience threatened the distributers, who, being reinforced by friends, shoved fight, which was only prevented by the police, who seized the principal offenders and ejected them from the hall. Stanley was cheered on his appearance by a larfre audience. At the conclusion of"the lecture he left the building unattended, and entored a carriage in waiting for him, whereupon a crowd that had gathered on the corners run towards the vehicle, surrounded it, and tried to assault the explorer. The police cßarged and routed the crowd. Stanley suffered no ovil effects.

0 THE EXPLORER ARRAIGNED.

The report of tho Aborigines Protection Society, read at a mooting of that organisation on Wednesday, May 20th, indicts Stanley in severe terms for his cruelty to the natives of Africa with whom he came in contact during his travels in the Dark Continent. The authors of the report also took occaeion to scoff at the idea that Mr Stanley's mission in his last trip was solely fco relieve Em in Pasha. There was an ulfceriov and sordid motive for the expedition. liJr Stanley's treatment of his servants and natives generally is characterised aa abounding in inexcusable errors. Tho sign&rs of the report balieve that Mr Stanley is responsible for the maltreatment referred to, bub they decline to institute legal proceedings against him, recognising the improbability of success in such an action. The report also protests against tho ill-advised attempts at the premature civilisation of Africa os a constant source of danger in respect to pereocuiion of the natives.

THE INFLUENZA,

Reports, May 16, concerning the ravages of this disease in England, say that Henry Sampson, owner and editor of the " Referee," the sporting and dramatic paper, and who wroto under the name "Pondragon," is dead of the influenza, and that Arthur Evans, owner and editor of " Vanity Fair," had succumbed to the same malady. The cotton mills in Nelson, Lancashire, have been stopped in consequence of a large number of the working people being absent, ill with tho prevalent complaint.

Tho renewed wintry weather in Russia will, it is expected, cause a fresh wt>ve of the dreaded malady westward.

There was serious anxiety in regard to Gladstone's condition. The Bishop of Lincoln ordered prayers in tha churches of his diocese on Sunday, the 17th, for the abatement of the disease. On the 18tb, Gladstone had almosb entirely recovered, and was to leave for Hawarden in a few days.

DULL TIMES IN LONDON.

Complaints are heard from all quarters (says a London despatch of May 17th) of the dullness of the season. The influenza is believed do have eomething to do with thf stagnation j bub close observers attri-

Bute the unfortunate condition of business and social life largely to the financial stringency following upon the Barings' failure. Whatever the cause, io is certain that tha season is the worst in many years. Social functions are few and relatively unimportant. The Prince and Princess of Walos entortain as litble as possible, and other social leaders readily follow their example. Tradesmen are in despair over the prospocts of continued small receipts.

CAPTAIN VERNEY'S CASE.

Captain Verney, M.P., pleaded not guilty on May 6th to the charge of procuring a governess, Miss Beckett, for immoral purposes, bab pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to procure her. He was sentenced to ono year's imprisonment with hard labour. During the trial, the Courtroom was packed with people. Verney, though downcast, pleaded in a firm voice. Counsel for defence alluded to the prisoner's distinguished services in the Crimea and Parliament, and undoubtedly won sympathy for tho ex-naval officer. The Recorder, in sentencing the prisoner, said that he had come to the conclusion through the evidence given thab the case of Mise Nellie Beckett was not the only cuse of the kind in which tho captain had been implicated, and therefore he could not lean towards tho side of mercy so much as he might have done had ib been his first offence. Tho formalities, of the expulsion of Captain Verney from tho House of Commons will be Secret, and the same course will bo observed in the case of Mr do Cobain, another Dinner ngainat, the moral code and the proprieties of life. Gladstone has expressed himself to the effect that there was nothing exceptional in the cases of the public men exposed (there are aoven members of Parliumsnt on the list); the importance of the matter lay in its being symptomatic of a social and moral disease requiring vigorous united Christian action to amond it.

THE GOLD SHIPMENT.

The real cause of tho heavy shipments of gold from America is the smbJ6cb of much discussion in English financial circles. It is attributed by the boat authorities to the heavy balance of trade created in favour of Europo by the Mclvinley Bill, which has caused an immense import of European goods into tho United States. It is truo tbat in tho cloven months which ended February Bth there was a difference of about §31,500,000 in net exports compared with the previous year. But thi3 is scarcely sufficient to account for the heavy shipments. It is fruitless to look to ordinary quarters, for the reason that gold has bsou exported in defence of exchange and the balance of trade. It ia perfectly plain there will be an enormous balance in favour of America next fall, and that very heavy shipments of gold to Now York will chen become inovitable. Aβ the matter stands this will bo a grave danger to the money markets of Europe, for, unless Ruosia is prepared to release large sums, it will be practically impossible to find gold enough to satisfy all demands.

A QUEER STORY.

A sensational story was telegraphed from London, May 20th, to tho effect that a woman, named Caroline Matilda GucipVi, had been discovered in Camberwell Workhouse, w'no claims to bo the daughter of George IV. She is an inmate of the common ward. She declares she was born on January 16th, 1816, four years beforo the accession ot George IV. She had seen a certificate of her birth, giving the name of George, "tbeßcgenV'asher father. Shedid nob know her mother's surname. There is no doubt that her mother was a German, and died, during Caroline's infancy, afc Norfolk. Onco, ono of the daughters of tho Prince of Wales called and questioned her closely. When she departed she left former o, small sum of money. Prince Albert Victor, who accompanied hia sister, urged her to leave £100, but she declined to do so. The old lady insists that she is the legitimate daughter of King: George and is indignant at her treatment by his descendants.

DERBY DAY,

Tho great event on the English turf wae run May 27, witnessed by an attendance larger than usual. Common, JohnstoDe'e colt, was tho victor ; M. E. Blauco's colfc Gouverneur, second; Sir James Duke's colt, Mavbinhursb, third. There were eleven starters. Just before the race a heavy ehowor seb in, and tho running wae made in a drenching rain. After the horses wero at tho post, tho first attempt to get them away resulted in a false start. At tho next, they got away splendidly. Deemster wenb to the front and set the pace for the quarter mile. Then Dorcas took the lead, "bub was soon overhauled and passed by Gouverneur, who led at the milo post. Dorcas, who now had been joined by. Common, was close up. However, coming down Tottenham Hill Common forged ahead as tho horses entered the straight. When tho distance post was reached he draw clear of tho others, and won in a canter. Cuttlcstone ran fourth, Simonian, though ridden hard, was the last horse throughout tho race. Common won by two lengths. Martinhurafc was a bad third. Time, 2min 56 4-sth sec. A list of starters and posb betting is : —

Common, 11 to 10 on

Oouvernour, 11 to 1 against. Martinhurst, 50 to I against. Dorcas, 10 to 1 against, Orion, 12 to 1 against. The Deemster, 17 to 1 against. Old Boots, 12 to 1 oguinst. William Fitzaimmon, 25 to 1 against, Simonian, 29 to 1 against. Cuttlestono, 33 to 1 against. Peter Flower, 33 to 1 againeb. The place betting was: 3 to 1 on Common. 7 to 4 against Gouvernour. 5 to 1 against Martinhurst. 6 to 4 againet Orion. 7 to 4 against Dorcas. 9 to 4 against Old Boots. 3 to 1 against Deemster. 3 to 1 against W. Fitzsimmon, 5 to 1 atrainat Cuttlestono. 5 to 1 against Peter Flower. 6 to 1 against Simonian.

IRELAND.

A magazine exploded, May 13, at Donaghadu, near Belfast, shaking the whole town, and breaking many windows ; supposed to be the work of dynamiters, and the police were hunting a suspected American. The National press of the 13th May announced that Wolsel&y, now Commander-in-Chief of the military forces in Ireland, had become a Home Ruler. Hβ does nob see the danger, from a military point of view, in granting Home Rule to.lreland.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN KILLED.

Six women, several, children, and 8 men were killed in the labour trouble at Fourtuies, France, May Ist and 2nd, and 20 persons besides seriously wounded. Thesoldiors who did this slaughter were merely exposed to stone-throwing, but they returned this by successive volleys from their rifles, inflicting frightful wounds. Houses in the line of fire were riddjed, and there is every sign of wanton and reckless inhumanity shown by the troops. The local popular commotion was intense, and found a response in every centre in the country. The tension of fcelinpr at Fourmies may be judged by the fact, that the military were hailed with cries of "Vive Prussia!" The commander of the*troops, in his report to the Minister of War, assumed full responsibility for the action of his men. He only ordered the firing, he wrote, when the soldiers mere in danger of being killed or disarmed. Ensile Zola censured the Government for causing the disaster by its bombastic announcement of armed preparation, and adds that if the mr>erinss had been allowed to be held as in England, nothing would have happened.

GERMANY

The grant of 165,000 marks for the Koch Instituce was debated in the Prussian Diet, May 9th. Professor Virohovv vigorously opposed the appropriation, and denounced Kochism as a failure. Nevertheless, the grant was made. Colonel Pracer was found murdered in his residence at Mete, May 7th. Investigation showed that robbery was an incident of the crime.

The German Government is considering the question of forbidding pilgrimages from Alsace and Lorraine to the Madonna of Lourdes and other places in France, on the plea thab superstition and ignorance are fostered thereby. The real reason ia a political one. The people of those provinces after visiting France are more irritable aud uneasy under their German rulers. The removal of Count Munster, German Embassndor to Paris, is contemplated, on the ground that he hag neglected the military duties of his office. The Barliners have won their lager-beer fight against the authorities. The Official Gazette of Stuttgart, May 27th, says King Charles of Wurtemburg waa suffering from a serious illness.

FRANCE.

The stage-drivers' strike in Paris has led to great inconvenience fco the public, and to disorders and rioting by the strikers themsolves. Tho Company, assisted by the police, attempted to run several stages on May 26th, but the drivers wore dragged from tho boxes and vigorously pounded by the strikers, and who also overturned tho vehicles. Public eympafchy is with the strikers, and tho police are powerless. The Government had decided to interfere solely for tho purpose of assuring conveyance for tho public.

The Chamber of Deputies adopted. May 26th, tariff duties of 8 francs per 100 kilos on swine, 10 francs per hood on cows and oxen, and franca per head on sheep.

M. Turpin, inventor of melinite, arrested on May 23rd, in order that the charges made in a pamphlet may be investigated, declared on tho 26th that ho has correspondence which compromises several Generals, as well as letters showing that Do Freycinet, Minister of War, placed him in communication with tho English authorities. The police are seizing Turpin's pamphlet.

A fire broke out. May 26, in a petroleum refinery at Condekerque, and did yreat damage. Ten persons wero burnt to death, and many houses surrounding tho refinery destroyed. There' were eighc large petroleum re.-servoirs adjoining tho scena of the fire, and at one time it was dreaded these would explode with terrible effect. When the fire was extinguished the damage was found to be §75,000. A man in endeavouring to escape from tho burning buildins was caught by the flames and cremated before the eyes of the spectators, who were powerless to save him.

A stock of grain has boon ordered stored in every fortified town in France, sufficient to feed all the civilians in such places for two months in time of wur.

M. Bergier, counsellor ia the Appeal Court of Bordeaux, has committed suicide (May 26), owing to losses amounting to §200,000 in Bouree speculations. M. Mercun, a banker of Bordeaux, had failed with liabilities of 8200,000.

PORTUGAL.

A severe censorship hns been established over telegrams sent from or into Lisbon. Even newe telegrams destined for the official journals havo been stopped.

The well - known political economist, Coello, has written a letter in which he cays that Portugal has a colossal deficit, brought on by ruinous loans contracted upon humiliating terms, and is confronted by monetary, industrial, and political crises of the most alarming kind. The Republicans are losing ground owing to the disastrous effects of tho establishment of a Republic in Brazil, and tlte party had not in Portugal a single man capable of directing a revolution.