LATE EUROPEAN.

Evening Star, Issue 6775, 15 December 1884, Page 4

LATE EUROPEAN.

The following have appeared in the ‘Age'i— In the House of Lords Lord Northbrook made a statement with respect to the strength of tho British Navy. He said that it was intended gradually to increase the navy so as to utilise the most modern inventions, Several new ironclads and torpedo vessels are to be commenced almost immediately, Earl Carnarvon characterised the proposals of the Government as wholly inadequate. Lord Sidmouth referred to the Russian designs upon Australia, and condemned the Government for refusing to recognise the colonial warships as a portion of the British Navy. Lord Northbrook, in his reply, denied that the Government had ignored the efforts of -the colonies in providing a naval defence force. In the House of Commons Mr Chaplin denounced the proposals of the Government as stated by Lord Northbrook, and pointed; out that the experience of the Victorian torpedo boat Childers, on her voyage from England, had proved that such boats were unfit for long sea voyages.

It has been ascertained that there are twenty-one survivors from the ship Berengaria, which was wrecked off the Essex coast. Twelve Chinese warships have been despatched to relieve the Island of Formosa. Several of these vessels are officered by Germans. The ‘ Daily News ’ comments on the Supremo Court at Brisbane for sentencing Neil M'Neil, second mate of the Queensland labor vessel Hopeful, to death for murder, by shooting two South Sea Islanders off Harris Island on June 13 last. A Committee of the French Chamber of Deputies has recommended that the duty on imported corn shall be three francs, and on flo >r seven francs per cwt. Dalgety and Co. (Limited) propose to declare an interim dividend of Is Sd. The German Reichstag has repealed the Act empowering the authorities to expel priests from the Empire. Bismarck was opposed to its repeal, and on the decision of the Chamber becoming known ho denounced the principle of parliamentary government, and declined to recognise the decision arrived at. It is probable that the Emperor will exercise his power to veto the matter. The decision arrived at by Mr Justice Chitty relative to transferors of shares in the Oriental Banking Corporation not being liable as contributors to the estate has occasioned much adverse comment. It is probable that his decision will be reversed, A committee of shareholders is now engaged' inquiring into the relations of the bank with the Ceylon Compaay. They declare that the charter of the bank was violated, and that the directors were responsible. The Australian squadron is to be strengthened by the addition of other war vessels. Commodore Erskine is to bo appointed to a superior command. Rear-Admiral Tryon has sailed for Sydney. The Spanish authorities have accepted the offer of the British Government, by which Spanish wines containing 30deg of proof spirit and under are to be admitted into Great Britain at a duty of Is per gallon. In c' mideratien of this concession Spain places England on the footing of the most favored nation. The arrangement is to remain in operation until 1887, after which the duty will probably apply to wines of 36deg proof. The Suez Canal Commission has approved of the recommendation made by Sir Andrew Clark. The report that the Commission had determined upon widening the Canal is declared to be premature, The Bill for the extension of the franchise has received the Royal assent. Mr Upington, Premier of the Capo Government, has been mobbed at Kimberley, in consequence of his expressed sympathy with the Dutch party and the Boer raiders in Bechuanaland, The announcement that the cholera had broken out amongst the sailors of the French fleet at Hongkong has not yet been confirmed. Lieutenant Jerram, who was in charge of the Victorian torpedo boat Childers during her voyage from England to Melbourne, has been appointed commander of the Reindeer, 950 tons, recently built in Devonport.