CABLEGRAMS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIV, Issue 1222, 3 December 1897, Page 5

CABLEGRAMS.

* -.— A goods train collided with a passenger rain at Tournay, Belgium. The carriages containing passengers were smashed and 10 persons killed. The Sultan has decorated General Hanhuke, chief of the German Emperor's Military Cabinet. Mr Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham, said it was intended to bring the army up to the needs of the time, making the soldier's position more honorable. He advised the adoption of the Scotch religious instruction in schools. He said an Irish Local Government Bill as complete and popular as those of England and Scotland vyould be introduced next session. Russia demands from the Porte the immediate payment of Ll, 150, 000 of arrears on account of the Turkish war indepmity. Six thousand Albanians are in full reyplt against the Turks at Spek and Diakova, two Turkish towns. Severe fighting has taken place in the latter town, both sides losing heavily. A most disgraceful scene occurred in tho Austrian R^ichsrath. The German Slav members fought for half an hour. A chair was thrown at the President of the Chamber, who fled, while his deputy drew a knife, but was disarmed before he could use it. Another member threatened to bring a revolver into use. Deputies Schoenerer and Wolf had their clothes torn from their bodies, while two others were nearly choked in the struggle. The ladies in the gallery screamed, while the men shouted " Disgrapeful !" The polipe finally interfered and restored order. The Imperial Parliament will be opened on February 8. At Sheffield a quick-firing gun has been made which, on trial at Portsmouth, was found to have an effective range at 10,040 yds with a charge of 25 lb of cordite. Danish butter in London io selling (choicest quality) at from 110s to 116s. Mutton: Crossbred wethers and maiden ewes — Canterbury 3d, Dunedin and Southland 2gd North Island 2*d* Lamb is nqt quoted- River Plate Mutton * Crossbred or mei'ino wethers — ■. heavy 2H, light 2|d ; North Island, 2gd.

Lamb is not quoted. Eivei' Plate Uutton : Crossbred or merino wethers— heavy, 2£d ; light, 2Jd. Afc the wool sales good were unchanged, and inferior a little clearer. The conference between the employers and t the engineers has provisionally settled the questions of management, machines, piecework, and overtime. The masters secure the right to introduce into workshops any form of labour existing at the beginning of the dispute. They disclaim any intention to interfere with the proper functions of tho unions. Sturrock, who was arrested in Melbourne, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for embezzling moneys of fche British Linen Company's Bank. A heavy nor'- west gale has been experienced on the British coast, doing a great deal of damage to shipping. Turkey, in defiance of a warning from Russia, has ordered 150 Krupp cannon. Seven hundred miners left Dawson City, Klondyke goldfields, in order to escape starvation. Offers made of SOdol for a sack of flour were refused. The railway workmen have decided to strike on the 10th December unless the railway companies agree to submit the matters in dispute to arbitration. The four St. Petersburg daily newspapers have been forbidden to accept advertisements, and official warnings have been issued to other journals. Details from all parts of the British coast line show that the gale did tremendous damage to shipping and buildings. The Thames rose far above ifcs ordinary level and flooded the Embankment, swamping the Woolwich Arsenal. The iuundation covered an area a mile and a-half long and 300 yards wide. The electric lighting plant was submerged. Seven thousand soldiers assisted iv rescuing the stores and saving the powder magazines. Various works were seriously injured. The sea swept the Straits of Dover, and destroyed the seawall at Seahiim, Durham, the centre of an extensive coal trade. Many buildings were destroyed at Margate, Eamsgate, ancl Chatham ; also the promenade at Heme Bay, Kent. Six wrecks occurred on the Norfolk coast, the whole of the crews perishing. The eastern coast suffered terribly, and scarcely a town escaped. All the coastal ports report wrecks involving great loss of life. In many instances a large section of the foreshores has been washed away and shipyards destroyed. Eleven persons were killed in a collision between goods ancl passenger trains afc Warsaw. The accident is supposed to be due fco the blunder of the pointsman. The famine at Dawson City, the centre of the goldfields, is causing an epidemic of crime. Persons without provisions are warned to leave the fields. Thefts and even murders are beginning to be perpretated. There is no gaol in Dawson City. , The Emperor, in opening the Beichstag, said thafc the navy was insufficient to protect the home ports ancl safeguard the increasing commerce of Germany. Germany did not desire to rival the naval powers of the first rank. She must maintain by preparedness her sea prestige among nations. The measure to reform military penal procedure was, he said, necessary in order to meet disciplinary requirements.