LATE EUROPEAN.

Evening Star, Issue 7411, 5 January 1888, Page 2

LATE EUROPEAN.

The delegates at the International Sugar Conference have signed a protocol, in which they recommend that equal duties be imposed by all countries concerned. As the British Government are certain not to impose any duties or to adopt any retaliatory measures, it is considered that the sugar-refining industry of Great Britain, if not already dead, is now doomed. Lord Cairns was married on December 20 to Miss Olivia Berens. The wedding was of a very brilliant character, and was graced by the presence of the Prince of Wales.

Although the prize-fight which took place at Rouen between Jake Kilrain, the American pugilist, and Jem Smith, the English champion, was declared a drawn battle, Kilrain was so severely punished that he is confined to his bed. John L. Sullivan has now challenged both Kilrain and Smith for the championship of the world.

'The Times,' in a leading article, deals with the strong remarks made by the Earl of Carnarvon as to the embarking at La Rochellc on December 6 of 300 convicts for New Caledonia, and the recent treaty entered into between France and England. Tho writer affirms that the Imperial Government fully realise the intense feeling that exists in tho Australian colonies against French penal settlements in the Pacific. Captain Dunne, ex-governor of the Castlebar Gaol, Mayo, Ireland, fired at the Rev. Whyto • Melville whilst the latter was driving in a cab in Dublin, lie was quickly arrested, and has been committed for trial on a charge of attempted murder. Mr Melville, when under cross-examination, admitted that ho had been divorced from his first wifo, and that he had eloped with Captain Dunne's daughter, whom ho had married on the Continent.

Lord Brasscy has returned from his cruise in the Sunbeam to India and the Australian colonics, and he is now engaged in editing the last journal of Lady Brasscy, who diod on their roturn voyago off the coast of Northern Australia. His Lordship states that he conies back to England with a stronger faith than ever in tho world-wide greatness of tho British Empire Speaking of the Australian colonics, he states that he found in them a marvellous vitality and limitless possibilities. There is, he says, material there which only wants cementing and compacting to become a power among the nations of the world, and to soon develop literally into a " Greater Britain." As to India, he says that the Government of that country has decidedly improved, and that the frontier is peaceful and for the present secure. He adds, however, that there are abuses there which require weeding out. A representative of the 'Pall Mall Gazette has had an interview with Lord Brasscy, who states that while Australia, as a whole, is very loyal, he found during his visit that there is an undercurrent of feeling tending in an opposite direction; and in order that untoward events may be prevented, he urges that some scheme should be devised for the purpose of strengthening the hands of those who were true to the Empire. Speaking of the naval defences of Australia, Lord Brassey said it was necessary that Great Britain should assist in defending at least three stations there, and with this object in view she should send ironclads of the type of the Agincourt and Minotaur, flagships of the Channel Squadron, of seventeen guns, 10,690 tonnage, and 6,870 horse-power, and two swift belter cruisers, with competent naval officers, the whole system to be well organised. His Lordship says he was delighted with the Voluneeer forces of the Colony. He affirms that they eclipse those of England, and ho suggests that Lord Wolseley or General Sir Frederick S. Roberts should make a trip to the colonies for the purpose of reviewing the local troops and reporting on their condition. Thiß, he contends, would stimulate colonial patriotism. Lord Brassey further suggests that the band of the Grenadier Guards, one of the finest military bands in Europe, and also members of the Royal Family, should be sent to the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, so as to prove to the Australian colonies the interest that is taken in them in the Old Country. A party of aeronauts, who some time ago made an ascent in a balloon, and who have not since been heard of, are now reported to have been scon by a vessel to descend at sea on November 13, about forty miles south of the Isle of Wight, where they were engulfed, the vospcl not having been near enough to render assistance.

The Duke of Norfolk has duly presented to the Pope the Jubilee present he was entrusoed with by Queen Victoria. It consisted of a goldon ewer, and it is stated that so pluasod was his Holiness with the gift that by his direction it was used in connection with the mass held in celebration of his Jubilee.