YESTERDAY’S CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2128, 29 February 1908, Page 4

YESTERDAY’S CABLES.

In Hits House of,Commons :i weighty debate took place on the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in the Congo, and tlio following motion by Mr l.oif Jones, Liberal M.l\ for West morel and, was agreed to: “That Hie administration of the Congo, lias brought about a destruction of the personal liberty and economic rights of the native population, and of the freedom and commercial intercourse with the outer world, guaranteed by 'the Anglo-Cougoleso Convention of 1881 and the Merlin Act of 1885.” Sir Edward (trey, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the course of a speech on the motion, said tbit for a period of thirty years no other external question had moved Great Britain so greatly. The Government policy had ’been to encourage a real and full transfer and effective Parliamentary control. If Belgium refused‘to undert ike the responsibility bo was not aware who could. He did not believe that- -.Belgium Mvould accept the exceedingly dangerous transfer on the lines of merely nominal responsibility and control. “Any semi-transfer, leaving the real control in the hands of the present authorities,” said the Minister, “would not be regarded by vis as a guarantee of treaty rights. The new authority must be separate from the administrative trading element.” Taxes, ho said, should go to improvo the condition of tho people. If forced

labor or veiled slavery wore abolished and the revenue had so declined that the Government of tho Congo was compelled to provide funds for administration he was willing to consider a revision of Customs duties to facilitate the task. .Britain desired Belgium’s choice to be absolutely free, made with the full knowledge of tho actual position. Wo would gladly cooperate with other Powers. America’s attitude was most important, and could not fail to influence the opinion of Eurono. Sir Edward Grey stated: When it is clearer that Belgium intended to assume the administration of tho Congo on satisfactory conditions wo will discuss with Belgium in a friendly way all questions arising out of our, treaty rights. Should, however, the transfer not occur, wo will bo free to deal with the questions in our own way. The Congo State as it now exists, lias forfeited morally every right to international recognition, and if Belgium does not assume responsibility for the country tlic British Government will do its utmost to find means for securing practical results in the reform of the conditions of the Congo. The Minister for Foreign Affairs concluded by accepting the resolution, amidst_clieeis. Tho uewsapers comment on Sir J‘ dward Grey’s gravo words this morning both as to the Congo and Macedonia. Regarding Macedonia, tho “Times” foreshadows Sir Edward Grey’s revival of the Turkish governorship proposal, contained in Lord Lansdowne’s despatches of September. 1903. The ship Castlerock, overdue from Sydney to Seattle, is now uninsurable, being cosidered lost. The King personally presented tho Edward medal to Messrs Chandler and Everson, Yorkshire and Welsh miners respectively, conspicuous for gallantry in rescuing life. ~ A man named Robinson was arrested. in Melbourne and lias confessed that he attempted to rob the gatekeeper at Barnaivatha races. A revolver and false beard wero found :n his possession. Mr Deakin, addressing the first of a series of meetings in Melbourne intended to stimulate interest in the Government defence proposals, said a scheme for defence not offence was meant. There would bo co-operation of the Imperial Navy and the development of the best trained forces. There was no intention to check tho volunteer movement. _ Tho Commissioner of Police in Adelaide complains of the inactivity ot: the Customs authorities. They let; slip an opportunity of unearthing the biggest importation of opium for

many years. The railway revenue of ' ictoria for the six months decreased by over £45000. The harbormaster of Perth, Av.A., reporting the wreck of the Windsor, said the vessel, owing to the heavy sea, steered badly. The . helmsman probably gave too much weather helm. 1 The course set, if followed, was too tine. He commends the efforts at rescue. The bravo efforts of tho chief engineer, Jenkins, who perished in trying to carry a life line ashore, should bo recognised. The North-German Lloyd Company, receiving an additional subsidy of half a million marks, resumes the New Guinea and Singapore route, with fresh ports of call. means a. monthly service between Sydney, New Guinea, Hongkong, and Japan, calling at Yap, in the Caroline Group. • ’ . The Czar, receiving 30-1 deputies at Tsarskoo Seloe, thanked the Duma for assisting him to maintain law and order. He emphasised the importance of improving the peasants’ land tenure, but said the rights of property must be respected. Twenty chairmen of Congregational Unions or heads of colleges in England have signed a' manifesto to the churches affirming fraith in Christian doctrines though welcoming the progress of evangelical theology. The Rev. R. J. Campbell, replying, in the City Temple, said this attempt to allow theological unrest .would prove as futile as the papal encyclical against Modernists. Tlie Central News Port ail Prince correspondent reported that some one stonod a British aide-de-camp when lie was quitting the residence of tho President, General Nord Alexis. He

refusing satisfaction, the captain of the cruiser Indefatigable brought his guns to bear on the residence. An apology was immediately forthcoming. There are persistent rumors that Sir H. Campbell Bannermaip will shortly resign, and that Mr Asquith succeeds him. A son of Sir Hiram Maxim has patented a noiseless rifle, using a smokeless powder. American newspapers predict that it will revolutionise warfare. Professor Lowell, of Harvard, U.S.A., claims that a special spectroscope reveals water vapor in the atmosphere of Mars. Sir Francis Burdett his been mulcted in £SOOO damages as co-respon-dent- in seducing Mrs Boyd. A deadlock occurred at the Special Coal Mining Court in Sydney. Counsel for the miners intimated that the miners’ committee had decided that the Commission was not empowered to take evidence in camera. They had decided not to have evidence in camera for any consideration, and all evidence must be given in open court.* The President held that' the Commission was empowered to take certain evidence in camera. The committee’s .attitude was tenable. They were making a mountain out of a mole hill. Later a witness on behalf of the owners declined to give evidence in reference

to the financial position of the company, excepting in camera. The miners’ counsel asked for an adjournment, to enable the miners’ executive to consider the position. The President adjourned, the Court for a week. He said lie hoped wise counsels would prevail with the miners. Major-General Willcocks has assented to a two days’ armistice to facilitate friendlies in the negotiations which are now proceeding. The Zakka Ivliols are at Halwai. A considerable number are armed. Afghans of Sangae-ami oilier tribesmen have joined the Zakka Kinds. Mr Molrcy, in reply to Mr Ellis, said the Government of India had been instructed to take no steps leading in any way towards permanent occupation of the Zakka Kliels country. Tie added that the- Jmperi.il Government adhered to the frontier policy of the past decade. The general arguments against any reversal of policy were particularly strong in the present case. The Times interprets the latter remark as a recognition of the Ameer’s scrupulous friendliness. The N.S.W. Government appoints a Royal Commission to report as to the best' means of improving the traffic facilities of Sydney 7 and beautifying the city. Municipal professional and commercial interests will he represented.