Cablegrams.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1180, 12 February 1897, Page 6

Cablegrams.

Train loads of arms and war material are being sent to the Transvaal via Delagoa Bay by Germans. This material is reported to be arriving by every steamer.

Count Muraviefi had interviews with Prince Hohenlohe, the German Chancellor, and Emperor William.

In, the House of Commons a resolution was passed by 325 votes to 110 permitting the introduction of a Voluntary Schools Bill. Mr Eaithfull Begg, member for St. Rollox, introduced a bill extending the franchise to women. The bill was read a second time by 228 to 157.

The Foreign Embassies l have completed a scheme of reforms for Turkey. The chief proposals will be submitted to the Porte.

The sentence of death passed on Mrs Carew at Tokio, has been commuted to penal servitude for life.

A commercial treaty has been arranged between France and Abyssinia.

The death is announced of the Duchess de Montpensier, widow of the Due de Montpensier, fifth son of King Philippe.

Whitehead, one of the Irish dynamiters released last year, has ' escaped from a lunatic asylum in New York, where he had been confined for some time. „

A scheme of reform for Cuba has been adopted by the Spanish Government, It grants the Cuban Assembly right to frame a budget and control the customs, but Spain will continue to appoint the Governor and will retain a preferential tariff.

The treaty between Great Britain anjl Venezuela Has been signed at Washington by Sir Julian Paunepfote and General Andrade (Venezuelan and Minister in Washington). The arbitrators on behalf of Great Britain will be Lord Herschell aud Sir Richard Henn Collins (one of the •judges of the Queen's Beridh), while Chief Justice Brewer represent the United States,

Prince Joseph de Caraman and de Chiaiay has obtained a divorce from his wife, w.ho eloped with Jean Ri go, a Hungarian gipsy. The Princess has been ordered-: to. pay ■<- r (sspQ francs a year for the support of her ebirdren,

An extensive fire' took p\ ace in the shipbuilding yards of the Fairfield Shipbuilding Company on 1 the 'Clyde! A considerable quantity- of machinery was destroyed. Five thousand hands have been thrown out of work as a result of the fire.

Mr T. A. Brassey has given LIOOO to the Indian famine relief fund. The Mansion House fund now amounts to L 215,000.

The Italian Government have 'decided to expend L 1,160,000 annually fora period of 10 years on additions to the navy. ■ ■

The Cuban cabal m New York declare that the reforms proposed by the Spanish Government are' shams, and nothing jess than complete independence will satisfy the Cubans;

The committee of Dillonites have expelled Mr Knox, MiP. for Londonderry, from the party, and have also divided L2OOO amongst themselves.

Fierce street fighting has occurred at Canea, in Crete. The troops are assisting the rioters. The Christian quarter of the town has been burnt and 300 have been killed. Many persons are taking refuge on the warships. France and England are sending additional warships to Crete. The foreign consuls intended proceeding to Halepa to pacify the insurgents, but found that they would be unable to return to Csinea owing to the fighting.

The Marquis of Lansdowne, Secretary of State for War, submitted the Array Estimates for the current year. They' disclose proposals for increasing the' strength and efficiency of the army. In placing the proposals before the House of Lords, the Marquis of Lansdowne statpd that it was comtemplated by the Government to increase the active strength of the army by the addition cf 7385 men. Two extra battalions would be formed, and the Cameron Highlanders, th»* Malta Militia, and the West India Regiment at Jamaica would be strengthened by the addition of one battalion each. A garrison artillery of 3600 men for the defence of the coaling stations of the colonial ports and one extra battery of field artillery would be formed.

Maple and Co's immense furnishing warehouses at Camden Town, London, have been destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at LBO,OOO.

' The barque City of Agra, which left Melbourne on December 10 for Hull, has been wrecked at Corcubion, on the coast of . Spain. Thirty-five of the crew were drowned.

It is believed in Melbourne that the City of Agra, reported as having been wrecked, on' the coast of Spain, is not the Australian trader, but a steamer of the same name trading between Calcutta and London.

Mr Justice Kekewich has appointed Mr Alexander Young to be receiver of the Midland railway. A section of the debenture-holders will appeal against the decision.

A heavy flood has occurred in the Thames "Valley. Large areas of the eastern, southern, and midland counties hare been submerged. The floods are the most serious for many years, and the damage to property is extensive.

The Herald, referring to the Arbitration Treaty, says that the senators are not entitled to commit a crime against the nation under the pretext of performing a public duty.

The police authorities at Constantinople have renewed the arrests of Armenians under the pretext of preventing mischief during the approaching feast of Ramadan.

The Armenian Patriarch declares that he will be unable to restrain the Armenians from further revolt if the Sultan persists in his policy of deception.

The Daily News states that the Russian Black Sea fleet has been placed on a war footing at; Sebastopol, and that two regiments of troops are ready to sail from Odessa.

The Russian health officials are watching the country bordering on the river Amu Daria to prevent people from the plague-stricken districts entering the Russian territory. The plague has extended to Candahar.

A terrible disaster has occurred at Poochow. Theatrical performances were being held in the Temple of Kwang Tow, when an outbrpak of fire occurred in the building. The crowd became panic-stricken, and tried to force their way through two small doors, which were soon so blocked that there were no means of egress from the burning building. Counting women and children, quite 300 people perished. Of the 40 actors only four escaped. ; The Mohammedans have blockaded the Governor's palace at'Canea.T Seven hundred armed Christians at Halepa confront a large body of Mohammedans. A thousand Christian refugees from Canea have sailed for Syria. Five thousand inhabitants have fled from Crete. ; : Two thousand are on board the British warships. Moslems at Herakloin captured 1500 rifles and an arsenal. Great popular excitement prevails in Athens. Seven .British warships are patrolling the coast of Crete.