BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1750, 18 May 1886, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(By Cable.) (Reuter's Special. ) London, May 13. There is growing excitement in Ulster over the Home Rule proposals. The Orangemen are making open preparations for resistance in case the bill should become law. The debate on the Home Rule scheme was resumed last night in the House of Commons, when Sir Henry James spoke at some length against the Bill, which he declared to be contrary to the supremacy of Parliament and the unity of the Empire. Mr Campbell Bannerman, Secretary for War, then addressed the House in defence of the measure, after which the debate was adjourned until Monday. May 14. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Osborne Morgan, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, stated, in reply to a question by Mr Howard Vincent, that France had offered to cease the deportation of convicts to the Pacific if Bhe were allowed to occupy the New Hebrides. Mr Morgan added that Her Majesty's Government had agreed to give the matter consideration, provided that the occupation took the form of a protectorate and that freedom of religion and trade were guaranteed. The cession of Rapa to Great Britain ia also one of the conditions implied. He also Btated that the Government had consulted the various colonial authorities on the matter. In the House of Lords last night Earl Rosebery, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, stated he had informed M. Waddington, the French ambassador in London, that it was improbable that the British Colonies would consent to the cession of the New Hebrides ; Lord Roaebery added that although M. Waddington had been notified, the British Government had not sent a formal reply to France, because the negotiations with the Colonies were not yet completed. Mr Chamberlaiu has written a letter, in which he expresses hia conviction that the Inhabitants of Ulster are entitled to claim separate autonomy, or at any rate maintenance of their connection with Great Britain. Should this not be the case, he considers they woulJ be justified in resisting the authority of a Parnellito Parliament sitting at Dublin. A meeting of Liberals and Radicals took place to-day, when Lord Hartington and Mr Chamberlain both urged the Government to withdraw the Home Rule Bill. May 16. At a meeting of Conservatives held here last night to consider the Irish proposals of the Government, Lord Salisbury addressing the meeting stated bis belief that it was impossible to place confidence in the Irish people. He arl voc>ted a policy of continuous coercion as the only meaus of restoring order in Ireland. It is annonncei that the Government has finally resolved not to allow the annexation of the New Hebrides by France. The wheat market is iuauimate, but prices are unchanged. The cargo by the Anna has been sold at 35s 6d. The weather ia coW, ami tbe crops are backward. Way 16. The Executive Commissioners of the Indian and Colonial Exhibition were entertained at a banquet by the Fishmongers' Company last .night. The Duke of Cambridge was among the guests, aud in hia speech expressed the opinion that the feeling of unity between the Mother country and her colonies waa never more strongly marked thau at the present time. His Highness also announced himself au advocate of the federation of the Empire. Heavy rains have fallen iv the Midland counties, and large tracts of country are flooded, serious damage being occasioned in mauy diatriots. Madkid, May 13. A disastrous hurricaue passed over this city to-day. No less than seventy persons lost their lives, aud over 200 received more or 1e33 serious injuries. The damage to property is enormous, numerous buildings being unroofed, and ia many cases entirely destroyed. Athens, May 13. The Chamber of Deputies has been summoned by the King, and the troops which werj proceeding to the front have boen stopped. New York, May 12. The labour riots in the United States have subsided, and affairs have now resumed their normal quietness. The eight hours movement has not met with general support, and is in a condition of collapse.