HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10063, 15 June 1898, Page 5

HOME AND FOREIGN.

United Press Association,—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. Received June 14th, 9.20 a.m. ANNEXATION OF HAWAII. Washington, June 13. The debate on the question of the annexation of Hawaii has commenced in the House of Representatives. The military necessity is the chief argument urged in favour of annexation. THE SIERRA LEONE RISING. It is estimated that one thousand natives were killed in the late Sierra Leone rising. THE JAPANESE DIET. Tokio, June 18. The Japanese Diet has been dissolved. BORACIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE. London, June 13. The Local Government Board is considering the fixing of a standard for the use of boracic acid as a preservative of meat and dairy produce, in connection with the proposed alteration of the Adulteration Acts in its relation to salt foods and drugs. QUEENSLAND AFFAIRS. Mr Lowles, a member of the House of Commons, who recently visited Australia, in a letter to the " Daily Chronicle" comments on the political situation in Queensland. He says that a fatal blow will be struck at the credit of the colony if, at the bidding of a few angry Socialists, the Government goes back upon its solemn and binding obligations. THE BRITISH NAVY. Lord Beresford urges the expenditure of £35,000,000 upon the construction of twenty-one battle ships, twentyfour cruisers, and fifty torpedo boat destroyers. ffHE RAILWAY TO THE SOUDAN. The -British Government has concluded to purchase the State railway to the Soudan. SYMPATHY WITH MR HOOLEY. Mr Hooley has received thousands of letters of sympathy, together with large offers of financial assistance. Many syndicates and newspapers are returning their contracts and cheques, and are appealing to Mr Hooley to preserve silence as to the details of their transactions. LAWLESSNESS IN SOUTH WALES. Lawlessness is increasing in South Wales in connection with the colliers' strike. An attempt is beipg made by the strikers to intimidate the working miners. Several policemen have been injured. In consequence of the serious aspect of affairs five hundred infantry and a contingent of cavalry have been . sent to the disturbed districts. THE DISCONTENT IN ITALY. Marquis di Rudini proposes to allay the popular discontent by reclaiming the uncultivated lands, abolishing the octroi, and restoring the holdings seized by the authorities for non-pay-ment of taxes. DEATHS FROM EATING ICE CREAM. Three boys died in London after eating ice cream. The goods of many Italian vendors of cream were seized, and an analysis resulted in a startling revelation in regard to the presence of • sewerage in the water used for making the cream. Received June 14th, 2.50 p.m. DR. JAMESON'S OFFICERS. In the House of Commons Lord Lansdowne stated that the officers, excepting Sir John Willoughby and Colonel Rhodes, who took part in Dr. I Jameson's Transvaal raid, and were subsequently cashiered, have been recommissioned on half pay, unattached, I while Major Coventry has been reinstated as a militia officer at the bottom of the list. Received June 15th, 15.40 a.mFRENCH POLITICS. Pabis, June 14. M. Meline, speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, attacked the Socialist programme, and declared that the country did not desire a revision of the constitution, but wanted firm and prudent government, with the development of the colonial policy. M. Bourgeois said the Radicals formed a majority of the Republican party, and it was impossible to govern against them. BRITISH VOLUNTEER FORCES., London, June 14. I The War Office has decided to re-arm the volunteer artillery forces.