SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1620, 30 April 1879, Page 3

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

The mail which arrived yesterday brings dates to March 14th. The following " history of the fortnight" is supplied by the correspondents of the " Melbourne Argus" : POLITICS IN FRANCE. The re-adjustment of political parties in France is not to be accomplished without a struggle. Tho Amnesty Bill, which has now passed the Senate by a large majority, is not a proclamation of peace between extreme factions. Scarcely had the chorus of congratulations which followed the advent of M. Waddington to power subsided, when the new Ministry was weakened by the resignation of M. do Marcere, the Minister of the Interior. He had consented to an inquiry into the conduct of the secret police, who were charged with a scandalous abuse of power, but had so vacillated in his procedure as to provoke much bitter criticism. His defonco was feeble, and he was left unsupported by his colleagues. The consequence was his resignation, the circumstances of which have injured both his own reputation and tho Ministry. The vacancy thus created was filled by M. Lepere, the Minister of Commerce, to whoso post in turn has succeeded M. Tirard, one of the deputies of Paris. A more formidable danger has Binca arisen in connection with [the proposal to impeach the De Broglie Qovornment. The Commission of Inquiry, by a majority of 22 to 7, had recommended the impeachment, notwithstanding the formal announcement that the Cabinet would oppose it. The report of the committee is an elaborate document, and recites the various acts proved reactionary administration which usurped the liberties of Fmnce, and noarly plunged the country into civil war. The most important part is the evidence adduced as to the military measures then planned. Rumors only found their way into circulation at the time, but now we have the facts and documents which show how dangerously near to a coup d'etat the conspirators had brought their plot. It may still be pleaded by tho friends of Marshal MacMahon that his object was not to restore the empire or the monarchy, but to suppress any popular movement. It is now, however, beyond controversy that everything had been prepared to sustain by arms the violent and illegal policy of the Government. Fortunately, the Marshal yielded, though at the last moment, to wiser counsels, Tho criminal action of the Gevernment will bo branded in history, but tho policy that pleads for clemency to the Communists pleads also for these reactionaries. Tho project of impeachment has been almost unanimously condemned in this country as tending to revive a perilous feud at a period when the fusion of parties is necessary to stability. And the same view has been forcibly expressed by some of tho most thoughtful men in France. The impeachment report was yesterday debated in the Chamber of Deputies, when happily the policy of moderation prevailed. M. Waddington, admitting the guilt of the accused, said that a prosecution might be justified on abstract grounds, but could only arouse hatred that had been lulled, and produce an agitation difficult to allay. He added that if the Chamber decided for impeachment, the Qovernment would resign. The recommendation of the committee was, however, rejected by a majority of 317 to 159. This majority is sufficient to insure the position of of M. Waddington. THE QERMAN " GAGGING BILL." Prince Bi?marck has sustained another defeat in the Qerman Reichstag. His Parliamentary Discipline Bill, nicknamed the " digging Bill" in free English speech, has been ignominiously rejected, the House consenting only to a proposal that an inquiry should be made as to whether any modification of its rules or standing orders is necessary. Prince Bismarck defended it as drafted in the interests of the Reichstag itself. In the course of his speech he urged that the fight against socialism was by no means ended 1 —that its organisation seemed as solid as ever —the " excessively mild execution of the law not having ruptured tho socialist ramifications." Yet statistics are given in other quarters which show that within the four months since the law camo into operation, 191 clubs and societies, 61 newspapers, and 247 periodicals and pamphlets have been suppressed, while 67 Social-Domocrats have been forbidden to reside in Berlin, and four others exiled from Dresden and Munich. So much for tho policy of repression. The withdrawal of many of theso agitators to S weden and Norway creates a new danger. NIHILISM IN RUSSIA. From Russia several disquieting incidents are reported. General Prince Krapotkine, the Qovernor of Kharkoff, was last month shot by an assassin, and has since died from the effects of the wound. The determination of tho Nihilists has been shown by tho posting of a proclamation in which tho reasons are given why his death was deoreed by tho

j " revolutionary committee." This document ' \v is found on tho walls of many RuFsinn towns, and has been distributed even in ' Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the latter cit j it was 0| only posted on the walls of the University. It alleges against Prince Krapotkine, who is characterised as "the most inhuman of gaolers," various specific acts of cruelty and oppression. And it concludes—- " Death for death ; execution for execution ; terror for terror ! This is our answer to the threats, the persecutions, and the oppression of the Government." There have nlso been fresh disturbances at Kiev. The authorities having been informed that a council of Nihilists was being held in the town, geni darines were sent to arrest them. They were greeted by a discharge of revolvers. One of the police was killed, and several of them wounded. Troops surrounded the building, the Nihilists wero captured, and their papers seized. A later account, probably referring to tho same event, stati s that the police have discovered a secret printing-press. Eleven men and live women wero arrested, four of the former being dangerously wounded. An important seizure was elfeoted, including "counterfeit seals of public departments, revolutionary pamphlets, revolvers, and poniards." Another press has since been seized in St. Petersburg, and more arrests made.

The Nihilists are even suspected of using tho agitation caused by tho near advent of tho plague for the furtherance of their schemes. In St. Petersburg thero has been quite a Scare, owing to the occurrence of a case of supposed plagUe in tho city; The man was isolated, and his clothing bfirtit, and fortyeight healthy persons living in the Same building were sent Id undergo a long quarantine. It was subserviently asserted that rati <>Mo was not one of plague, though having points of resemblance, and these people * ere set freo ; but the doctors are not yet agreed on the subject. It is now said that two other cases have occurred. Thero is littlo trustworthy news from Astrachan, but tho last reports speak of tho abatement of tho pestilence, In Europe the alarm is less, but there is no relaxation iu the measures of precaution. Our own Government has appointed two medical commissioners to investigate tho facts.

THE BERLIN SETTLEMENT. The withdrawal of the British fleet to Besika Bay indicates emphatically the changed aspect of tho Eastern question. The Eussian evacuation meanwhile proceeds apace. Six battalions of Turkish troops have entered Adrianople this week, and the Russians have withdrawn, with the exception of three battalions, which remain with tho consent of tho Turkish Government. Tho distress is still great throughout the whole region, a 3 also in Bosnia, where hundreds appear to bo slowly dying of starvation. Under Austrian administration order is at least re-established, but thero is as yet no sufficient provision for the districts lapsing again under the rulo of the Porte. In Macedonia there is a revival of insurrection—said to be " premature." In Eastern Roumelia there is Still talk of resisting tho return of tho Turkish militia. The Bulgarian Assembly is proceeding slowly in its work at Tirnova. The two parties into which it Is divided have already been named the Irreconcilable and the Opportunists, but both names imply the same political end, and the differences batween them are questions of expediency rather than of .principle. The agitation for the union of E'istern Roumelia with Bulgaria is still maintained. But the attitude of the great powers, especially of England, is not favorable to any such project. Lord Beaconsfhdd will not now recede from the position he so energetically adopted and defended at Berlin. Thero have been inahy rumours during the month as to a conference of ambassadors which it was proposed to hold for the settlement of questions still in dispute, but it is now asserted that they have had no foundation beyond the uncertainty of the situation. Early in the year the Russian Government called attention to the difficulties encountered by the International Commissioners in dealing with matters of detail. Lord Salisbury, if the despatch published in Vienna is to be trusted, replied sharply, and insisted strongly on the difficulties Russia had herself created by postponing the separation between the two provinces of Roumelia and Bulgaria, and especially by fusing their militia into one mass.

Tho crisis in Egypt has been for the present surmounted by the formation of a new Ministry. Prince Tewfik is President of the Council, Mr Rivers Wilson remains Minister of Finance, and M. de Blignieres Minister of Public Works. The Khedive, not content with the position to which he had been relegated, is to " participate in tho direction of affairs." It was intimated to him that the British and French Governments did not absolutely insist upon the inclusion of Nubar Pasha in the Cabinet, but that if he wore excluded the Khedive would bo held responsible for tho maintenance of tranquility —a responsibility which he but too gladly accepted.

THE AFRICAN REINFORCEMENTS. Our own outlook is somewhat brighter. The last batch of reinforcements has this week sailed for Zululand, and the telegraph has already reported the arrival of the first transports at St. Vincent's. Some indignation has, however, been excited by the news that fire of them have been detained there by difficulties about coiling. Troops have been sent on from St. Helena and other points. The confidence of the public is restored, and this moro sanguine view is justified less by our preparations than by the gener.il tone of the communications received from Africa. But the despatches of Lord Chelmsford have given rise to much severe criticism, and it has been urged by many, both Conservatives and Liberals, that he should bo immediately recalled. The document of most interest is the despatch of Lieutenant Chard, telegraphed from Madeira, and describing the defence of Rorke's Drift. It is a plain ac> count —in language almost as vigorous as the action it narrates —of one of the most gallant deeds in the history of British arms. The odds were nearly thirty to one, but Natal was saved as much by tho resolute skill and foresight of the defence as by its heroic bravery. INDIAN POLICY. From India we hear that communications have been opened with Yakoob Khan, at Cabul. Lord Beaconsfield haa stated in the House of Lords that "possibly, or oven probably," negotiations are going on in Afghanistan from which a satisfactory settlement may result. But as yet little is known of the real disposition of Yakoob Khan. It appears that after the Amoer's death three pretenders to the throne suddenly started up in Tashkurgan, and that for five days the province was reduced to anarchy. The party of Yakoob triumphed only after a bloody struggle. The predatory tribes in the neighborhood of Candahar are also giving trouble to our troops. Mere uneasiness, however, has been occasioned at home by the news that it has boen thought necessary to send reinforcements to British Burmah, in consequoncc of the Royal proceedings at Mandelay. The country, with distress still prevailing, is in no mood for another "little war." PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. Tho session is proceeding quietly, freo from the burning questions which for the last year or two have retarded public business. There is little to report of Imperial interest. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has obtained a vote of credit of a million and a half for the necessary expenses of the Zulu war. The other topics which h.ivo had the largest place in general interest have been associated with some motion of a kind brought! annually under discussion. Thus Mr Trevelyan has again brought forward his proposal for an extension of tho county franchise. The only new point in his tpeech was an exposure of the system of making faggot votes —of late so vigorously manufactured in tho interests of Conservative Midlothian, but an expedient that has boen tried in days of leps political virtue by all parties alike. The motion was lost by a majority of G 5, in favour of an amendmont drcluring it inexpedient to reopen the question of Parliamentary reform. Mr Courtney, also, has lost his motion for giving the suffrage to women who are householders. Sir Wilfred Lawson may, on the other hand, be said to have scored a success. Instead of the Permissive Bill proper, he

brought in a resolution affirming the expo diency of " local option "—that i>, of giving some power of restraint in the granting of public-house licenses to tho ratepayers most interested in or aff cted by tbeir existence. In this view he was sum orted by Mr Forster and others, who, while not approving the Permissive Bill, yet wou d favour the principle of local action. Jfe win defeated by 252 to 164, but thus obtained a greatly increased number of votes.

Among the minor occurro cos of tho fortnight may bo mentioned a fire by which Lord Granville's town residence lost its upper story, and another by which the Polytechnic, that familiar place of instructive amucemont, sustained considerable damage, fn literature, wo have to regret tho death of the veteran William Flowitt, at his residence in Rome ; by a strange coincidence a brother died on the name day at Nottingham. The death of Professor Clifford at Madeira removes ono of the ablest of our young mathematicians, and one of tho boldest of controversialists. Journalism loses one of its brighter lights in tho death of Mr Macdonnoll. Dr. Page, tho author, whoso " Vestiges of Creation " once stirred a warm controversy, is also dead. Tho news of the decease of Kliliu Burritt awakens other associations ; in this country he was almost as well-known as in America.

THE PROPOSED COLONIAL MUSEUM

A paragraph appeared In the " Globe " last Saturday, stating that in view of the apparently insurmountable difficulties which attended the completion of the new National Opera-hoUEC on the Victoria Embankment, all the agents-general for tho different colonic had entered into negotiations for the purpose of securing the site for the intended colonial museum. A disclaimed appeared in the neii, issue from the agents-general for Victoria, South Australia, Nesv South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand, denying that there had been any negotiations; all that they had done was to inquire the price of the site, stating that if it could be purchased at a reasonable cost, they would be happy to commnnicato the fact to their respective Governments. The facts of the matter are as follow —Tho agents-general, at tho suggestion of Dr. Forbes Wet son, who has taken a prominent part throughout in reference to the projected museum, wrote to Messrs Bolton and Mote, solicitors for tho Opera-house Committee on the 11th February last, asking the prico of the site, to which a reply was sent on the Ist inst., stating that the solicitors had been instructed to say that providing they received within four months an offer of £40,000 from responsible parties, tho committee would recommend those those they represented to enter into a contract for the salo of the site, with the unfinished buildings thereon for the amount named. The site is held under an agreement for a lease from the Metropolitan Board of Works for eighty years from the 2yth September, 1874, at a ground rent of £3OOO per annum, but the freehold could be obtained at about twenty-five years' purchase, or for about £75,000 in addition to the £40,000. It must be remembered, however, that there has been a sum of about £BO,OOO expended -dready on deep foundationa and superstructure to the height of about 20ft. above ground. The total area is between one and a half and two acres. At an additional cost of about £13,000, four houses facing Parliament street, at the back of the site, would give the edifice a double frontage to that street and the embankment. Further, adjoining it on the west, is a piece of ground, now occupied by the Civil Service Conimieaion, which would be available for the India Museum, alongside the Colonial Museum or Permanent Exhibition. The site now spoken of is in every way equal to that of Fife-house, which was strongly advocated two years br.ck, the cost of purchasing it would be less, and the nee'esoary expenditure for the building would not be so great, owing to the work done for the opera house being available for the museum. Two years and a hulf ago, Sir Archibald Michie, writing on behalf of himself and others to Mr Cbilders, then acting as chairman of a committee on the proposed museum, thus adverted to the Question of site s—- " After the most careful comparison of tho different proposed sites, we are of opinion that the Thames embankment is so manifestly the best as to exclude aiy other from serious consideration." Notwithstanding this, strong efforts have been made in cortain quarters to secure South Kensington for a museum, and those who have the management of that property, not long ago, in view of the lease of the Horticultural Society's ground falling in, wrote to the Treasury offering tho site for an Indian and Colonial Musoum. It is only within the last day or two, since the announcement of the proposal for obtaining the Opera House site, that a reply has been sent from the Treasury, postponing the consideration of the subject indefinitely, and therefore virtually throwing overboard the South Kensington scheme, a moat desirable consummation for those anxious for the success of the museum. Were it established at South Kensington, it would be a failure ; on the embankment it ought to be a certain success, and fulfil every object for which it would be established. By the present mail, the various Australian Governments will be communicated with, and a hope is expressed in Englard that they will deal with the matter favorably and with promptitude. It is known that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach will forward the soheme in every way he possibly can, and that ho thoroughly approves of the present proposal for the embankment site. It rests with the colonies now to carry it through, and there ought to be no difficulty in raising tho necessary funds. MISCELLANEOUS. At the Colonial Institute meeting next Tuesday, which, owing to the very largo attendance expected, is to be held in St. James's Hull, the debate on Sir Arthur Gordon's paper on Fiji will be opened by Mr Gladstone, and amongst the speakers will bo Lords Granville, Selborne, and Cardwell. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach will be present, but will not take part in the discussion. Mr Hayter is to read a paper the same evening on Victoria at the Statistical Society. It is so seldom that papers on Australia are read elsewhere than at the Colonial Institute that it is to be regretted that tho two should clash, but no other arrangement could be made.

Sir John Coode's reports on the Melbourne, Geelong, and Warrnambool harbours are despatched by today's mail, the former direct to the Harbour Trust, and the latter two to the Government.

Tho reports that have lately been in circulation of the intended appointment of Lord Hard wick e to tho Governorship of Tasmania hare been contradicted.

Lord Bateman intends moving resolutions on the 29 th April in reference to free trade and reciprocity, advocating the latter in future treaties with foreign nations. At a meeting of tho Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce, on the 12th instant, it was resolved to support an application for a Royal commission to inquire into the causes of bad trad.'. All the speakers expressed the opinion that unless the working classes would agree to tho lengthening their hours of labor, it was useless to expect tho woollen manufacturers to make headway against foreign competition, and they considered that any return to protection or reciprocity would only land the country into further difficulties.

A telegram from Berlin, dated yesterday, announces that tho tariff commission hae decided to raise the import duties both on rice and meat. The latter is resorted to to rest rift the importation from America. A duty of five pfennings per cwt. upon foreign coal is also proposed. On Wednesday, Sir Cunliffo Owen was entertained at dinner at Willis's rooms, Sir S. Wateriow presiding, by a number of tho jurors and exhibitors at Paris. He was presented with a;i illuminated address and a cheque for 3500 guineas, which had been subscribed by 550 persons. A splendid diamond Maltese cross was given to Lady Owen. The number of members of the Colonial Institute is la v gely increasing, and tho Australians form the chief majority. At the meeting of the council on the <V*u inst. the Marquis of Hartinglon was one of the elected.

Mr Guildford Onslow and |two others paid their usual periodical visit to the Claimant at

Portsmouth a few days ago. His healt.h is stid to bo excellent, and his weight is not over 15st.

In the (-use of Mr Gh F. Dickinson, Australian merchant, who failed some days back, no 'ess than twenty-six actions were pending against the bankrupt when the insolvency order was made. These were all stayed.

The whole American cattle meat trado is at present at a standstill, owing to the coming into force of the Privy Council regulations for the importation of stock. Judgment was delivered by the Privy Council on the 11th inst. in the case of the Borough of Bathurst, N.S.W., versus Macpherson. The action arose out of an accident met with by Mr' Macpherson when riding through Bathurst, owing to his horse falling into a hole, which it was contended ought to have been repaired by the municipality. Sir James Martin, before whom the case was tried, directed a verdict for the municipality on the ground that it was not bound to keep the roads in repair, but on application for a row trial the majority of the New South Wales judges allowed it, and the appeal was against that decision. The Privy Council upheld it, and expressed their opinion that the attention of the Legislature should bo drawn to the matter, with a view to the settlement of any doubts on the question.

Mr Bothery, the wreck commissioner, and two assessors held an enquiry, on the 6th March, into the loss of the Northam, burnt off the coast of Brazil on her voyage to Sydney, on the 21st of December last. Nothing was elicited as to the origin of the fire, aid the enquiry was finally adjourned without result. The Clare election committee was reappointed on the 10th inst. It includes the Ilome Secretary, the Attorney-Q-enerals for England and Ireland, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Mr Spencer Walpole, Sir W. HartDyke, Lord Francis Hervey, Mr W. E. Former, Sir Win. Harcourt, and Mr Whithead. The nomination of Mr Butt was negatived.