HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9323, 25 January 1896, Page 7

HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press Association—BJ Telegraph—Copyriirht. THE BRITISH ARMY. London, January 28. The Marquis of Lansdowne, Secretary of State for War, has promised to give orders to convert the big guns into the latest patterns, create an artillery reserve, and maintain the army at its full strength. THE NEW FLYING SQUADRON. The new Flying Squadron goes to Berehaven to await sailing orders'. THE QUEEN. The Queen passed a sleepless night, and is now far from well. ENGLISH, SCOTTISH AND AUSTRALIAN BANK. January 24. A meeting of shareholders of the Englisn, Scottish and.Australian Banunanimously approved of the Bill for the reconstruction of the Bank. THE UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. ♦ The Union Bank of Auatralia recommends a dividend of 5 per cent., and carries forward £12,000. FRANCE AND MADAGASCAR. Paris, January 28. It is reported that France will annex Madagascar, and that the Queen will be maintained. GERMAN COLONIES. Berlin, January 23. A report presented to the Reichstag states that the population of the German colonies, excluding South-west Africa, is 700,000, and costs the Government 11,000,000 marks per year. The trade is only nominal. THE ITALIANS IN ABYSINNIA. Shoas in great force have surrounded 900 Italians at Makaleh. The allowance of the troops is a glass of water and wine daily. An attempt -tosecure additional supplies under fire failed. A surrender is imminent. THE RUSSIAN NAVY. St. Petersburg, January 28. - The Russian Government has submitted to the Czar a proposal to expend four hundred million roubles (£62,500,000), extending over a term' of seven years, in building a warship for each warship constructed by England. The Czar has approved o! the scheme. TAX ON COTTONS. Calcutta, January 28, The Indian Council proposes to tax all cottons 3$ per cent., making exemptions in regard to English and Indian yarns.