HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9860, 9 March 1896, Page 5

HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press Association—By Telejrraph—Copyright. THE BRITISH NAVY. London, Marc?' G. In tho naval debate Sir C. Oilka complained that at the end of the century the fleet would be barely equal to the French and Russian combined. Mr Balfour said the Government desired to see a steady growth of the navy. By 1899 they would be able to contend with two of the largest possible enemies' fleets. They did not require to make gigantic additions to tho naval forces unless actually forced by enemies. THE VENEZUELA DISPUE. March 7. A Blue Book published by Venezuela makes tho British case much stronger than ever. It is explained that the statements contained therein are the result of researches in Spanish and Dutch archives. Venezuela relies on the fact of Spanish missionaries having occupied isolated points of the country in dispute. DOCK CHARGES. The St. James's Gazi'tu- states thai hundreds of firms have telegraphed to their agents to refuse the dock charges alterations in the bills of lading. MR CHILDERS' ESTATE. The personalty of the late Right Hon. H. C. E. Childers was sworn at under £15,225. COMMANDER BALLINGTON BOOTH. Commander Ballington Booth and his wife, who wore in charge of the American section of the Salvation Army, have accepted dismissal, owing to a peremptory demand of Commandant Herbert Booth for their keys. PENSIONING THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE. Mr Campbell Bannerman proposes to move that the pension to the Duke of Cambridge bo reduced by £1800, which was added after the Government promised to limit it to £2200. INDEPENDENCE OF RADICAL MEMBERS. The Radical and Labour members of the Liberal Federation assert that the intimate relations between theu own officials and the whips is injurious to and threatens the independence of the Radical members. I HOME RULE AGITATION. •, [ A Committee of the Radical members of the House of Commons is agitating for a policy of Home Rule all round. A FRIENDLY INTERVIEW. Paris, March 6. President Faure met the Empero. of Austria at Mentone, and had an .interview with him of a friendly character. FRENCH INCOME TAX SCHEME. March 7. The French Budget Committee has rejected any income tax scheme based on aggregate receipts as vexatious and iniquitous, and it asks that a new scheme on lines of a more equitable 'assessment shall be submitted. THE RUSSIAN PACIFIO SQUADRON. **• ' St.' Petersbubg, March 6. Russia has fixed the Pacific squadron at seven first-class cruisers, including the Rurik, two second-class cruisers and five gunboats, and has increased the armaments. FATAL COLLIERY FIRES. Berlin, March 7. A fire is raging in a colliery ia Kaltowifcz, Silesia. So far the death list totals seventy-one. MURAD BEY. Caibo, March 7. Fearing Turkish assassins Murac Bey has left here.