Home and Foreign News. HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXVII, Issue 1360, 14 May 1895, Page 3

Home and Foreign News.

HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

> 4 ) 3 London, May 6. 3 The Hon. J. G. Ward is to be en i tertained at a banquet on the 21st by r New Zealanders in London, i News from Madagascar states that ; the French have stormed Maravoac, ! killing 200 of the ilovas. Among the number were several leading chiefs. May 7. Consols are quoted at 10G, which is the highest price ou record. It is reported that the indemuity to be paid by China will be increased to (1 by) 10 millions sterling as a solatium to Japan for giving up territory ou the mainland. The French press are satisfied with the Japanese settlement. The Times recognises the reality of Russian success in opposition to the original terms of peace between China aud Japan, It considers it was a good stroke of business to prevent an aggressive Power from seizing Chinese territory. The result is a complete triumph for the Czar’s diplomacy. News has been received stating that atrocities by the Turkish soldiery on Christians continue in Armenia but on a smaller scale than formerly. The Daily Chronicle urges firm and immediate action being taken by the Imperial Government to stop them. Mr Gladstone, in a letter, declares that the conduct of the Sultan with

regard to Armenia is worse than the treatment of Bulgaria in 1876, when the insurrection in the latter country was suppressed with great cruelty, and declares that the nation would support Loid Hosebery in energetic action being taken to prevent a repetition of the atrocities by Turkish soldiery in Armenia. A large number of people assembled at Plymouth to welcome Stoddart's team on arrival. Peel, in the course of an interview, declared that colonial cricket had vastly improved, and the members of the team were charmed with the visit and the hospitality extended to them. He believed that the Australian team chosen to visit Eng land next year would comprise the best all-round players the colonies possessed. The garrison who, held Chitral against the rebels have been awarded half a year’s additional pay. A public meeting in London, which was largely attended, carried a resolution calling upon the Government to interfere in the Armenian difficulty. Mr Gladstone, in a vigorous letter, states that Turkey is apparently resolved to

procure her own ruin. He hoped that England, alone or jointly with the great Powers, would use force if necessary to prevent a repitition of the deeds of shame. During April the imports of the United Kingdom decreased by .£670,000, and the exports by £IOO,OOO. May 8. The Spanish Government have apologised for the action of the warship in firing on the vessel Alliance in Cuban waters, M. Debacle is anxious that a congress of the Powers be summoned to settle the Nile dispute, and, being desirous that France should secure the aid of Germany, suggests that the Kaiser bo asked to act as arbitrator. The Novue Vremi/co says that when England received the Pamir agreement as a guarantee of Russia’s peaceful intentions in respect to India, she clandestinely raised the Armenian question next door to the Caucasus, and tried to trip up Russia. Replying to a question in the Cape Legislative Assembly, the Premier (Mr Rhodes) said that the Imperial authorities had not consulted the Cape Government prior to the annexation of the Umbegesa country. The Chinese Government are sending 5000 troops to supress a rising among the Black Flags. Shanghai, May 8. It is reported that Franco is demanding the cession of the Pescadores hy Japan. May 0. Ratifications of the treaty will be sxchanged at Chefoo. Cholera is raging among the Japan■so at Palie Wan. Pakis, May 8. France suggests that Japan should irnit the number of warships in •’ormosan waters and refrain from stablishing large garrisons in the J escadores. St. Petersburg, May 8. The Russian Government are satisied with the concessions made by apan and regards the incident as losed, and have stopped the preparations for war. Calcutta, May 9. The Ameer of Afghanistan has laced Umra Khan under surveillance a Cabul. The residents of Managua, the apital of Nicaragua, have subscribed re amount of the indemnity demanded y the British Government.

London, May 5. Jabez Balfour was smuggled ashore at Southampton on the customs launch, this step being taken to evade the small army of pressmen who were waiting to interview the prisoner. He was then conveyed to the Bow street Police Station, the efforts of the police to evade the crowds at the Waterloo Railway Station being successful. Balfour was subsequently brought before the court aud remanded. May G. Jabez Balfour was charged with the fraudulent misuse of £20,000, trust money belonging to the House and Land Investment and Trust Company, also the moneys of the building securities of the company, and conspiring with Hobbs and Wright, the contractors, to defraud the company. While the Army estimates were under discussion several of the Commoners took exception to the use of GO per cent, of foreign and colonial meat at Woolwich Arsenal. Mr William Woodhall, Financial Secretary to the War Office, in replying, denied that cheapness was the motive, and added that the use of 40 per cent, of British moat was made compulsory, and mutton was allowed the men once weekly. May 7. In the House of Commons the bill to repeal the Irish Crimes Act was road a second time by a majority of 14. O’Donovan Rossa, who was in the gallery during the discussion, referring to Mr Harris’ remarks on himself and previous speakers, cried, “An assassin’s blow is being given me in this House, and shame placed on my name.” This remark caused quite a sensation among members and also the officials, and the latter seized and rushed Rossa, who was still shouting, from the precincts of the Chamber, and ordered him not to show his face there again. May 8. The small majority by which the bill to repeal the Irish Crimes Act was carried is attributed to the large number of Liberals abstaining from voting. Lord Roseberry, in the course of a speech in London, reproved the Liberal members for their action, thus magnifying difficulties and breeding despondency among the party. The Government, he said, would continue till defeated, but the smallness of the majority ought not to foment sulking in the ranks. The continued obstacle of the House of Lords was not the fault of the Government but the Liberal party, which must bestir itself. The Times says that practical relief in connection with the atrocities in Armenia is difficult. The article suggests that a Governor should be approved by the Great Powers, and allowed a free hand in the administration, but at the same time he should be watched by a resident commissioner appointed by the Powers. At the public meeting which was held to enter a national protest against the atrocities in Armenia, the Duke of Argyle, who presided, said that the people of England were directly responsible if the fearful state of affairs proved to exist in Armenia were allowed to continue. The Government of Turkey weakly accepted promises of reforms from responsible officials, but these promises had never been kept. The circumstances now demanded that an active executive should ho formed for the protection of the Christians in Armenia. His Grace remarked that the sole object of the Crimean war was to prevent Russia from securing the control of Turkey aud of Eastern Europe.