British and Foreign News.

Hastings Standard, Issue 316, 7 May 1897, Page 4

British and Foreign News.

A LESSON IN CIVILISATION. It is stated that the African chief Nana, who is now a prisoner at Accra, on the Gold Coast, on hearing that Consul-General Moor, of the Niger Coast Protectorate, was returning to the Coast, sent the latter an interesting letter, praying to be allowed to return to his former home. When any kings on the coast hold festivities these latter are called " Big Play." Hence the term used in his letter by Nana in relation to the Queen's Diamond Jublee. It is only about four months ago that'Nana, his wife, and two sons were removed from Old Calabar to Accra. Nana cannot write, and had to sign with his mark. "Accra, 7th January—Sir,—l now beg to draw your attention to my hard case, hoping that you may be pleased to grant my prayer. I have now been away from my country nearly three years, and have seen the world, and I know I have been very foolish. But please, Consul, remember I was born a son of Olums, and never left my town until you sent man-of-war and burnt it, and I used to think my country too big and no man fit to touch me. But I learn big lesson now, for I lose all my cargoes, all my cash, all my houses, and my town is now only sand and bush. All my people are far away, and many of my family killed by the ship. I have been a prisoner from my country close on three years, and I think your Queen she punish me plenty. I beg you, Consul, to ask Queen to let me sit down for my river before I die. I swear I never do wrong again, but will make small place for trade in one river close for Sapele. I hear Queen have big play this year because sh« live long past other King or Queen. I beg you ask her to have mercy on me and pity my case. I am your humble servant, Nana." a night alarm> Sir Charles Elliott, in the course of a lecture he recently delivered on his recollections of the Indian Mutiny, stated that when he was a civil officer with Sir Hope Grant's relief force they had a night alarm on one occasion which resulted in a scene of indescribable confusion. A soldier who, it was supposed, was awakened by a snake crawling over him, started up with a scream. This roused many others, who also began shouting and screaming, and almost immediately the camp was in an uproar, the general belief being that the rebels were attacking them. Sir Hope Grant seized the lecturer's scabbard and began to brandish it about wildly, a colonel had a fierce encounter with a tree, while another officer, fancying his own leg to be one of the enemy, fired at it and wounded himself in the thigh. This night alarm no doubt made a great impression on Lord Wolseley, then a major on Sir Hope Grant's staff, They would all recollect with what splendid success Lord Wolseley planned the night march on Tel-el-Kebir. It had always been his opinion that the first idea of that famous march was taken from the experience Lord Wolseley gained on the occasion of the night alarm which befel Sir Hope Grant's force. NEWS FltOM THE SOUDAN. Reuter's agent at Suakim, writing on the 18th February, says : —" According to news received from the interior, great excitement prevails and active preparations are being made in view of the projected future Anglo-Egyptian advance. During his last visit to the Khalifa Osman Digna was appointed Governor of Berber, and had conferred upon him the title of ' Emir of Emirs.' Mahomed Musa Digno has succeeded him as Emir of Adarawa. Osman Digna took tip his new post at Berber on 15th January, arriving there at the head of 150 Baggara guards. He ac once called out over 25,000 Dervishes, a large proportion of whom are well armed with rifles, reported to have been recently bought by the Khalifa from the Abyssinians. The mass of the Dervishes are, however, unwilling to take up arms again, and Osman Digna has since sent out a force of 3000 men to traverse the country, and to call upon all to obey his summons under penalty of death. For the first time in the past ten months news has been received of the Europeans still at Omdurman. They are in great fear for their lives, as they anticipate that as soon as the Khalifa finds he is unable to resist the advance of the troops further up the Nile, he will have them killed. During the last month about 15,000cwt of guns have been brought from Handub into the Government stores here, and during his recent visit the Sirdar allowed some 10,000cwt to be sold on the merchants guaranteeing that the proceeds should not be sent into the interior. With this exception, no merchandise has been allowed to pass the gates of the town." THE RISING IN URUQUAY. A state of siege has been declared at Monte Video, and orders given for the mobilisation of the troops. A press censorship has also been established. Fighting has taken place in the interior between the Government forces and the insurgents, in which the latter are stated to have been victorious. The Uruguayan Foreign Minister, however, telegraphs :—" Revolution without importance at all, insurgents are running away, pursued by the Government forces. Do not give any credit to the news circulating about supposed defeats of the National troops." The Government has resolved to order the enrolment of the National Guard. A mutiny is said to have broken out among the provincial police. THE CUBAN REVOLT. General Weyler is said to have been recalled, and the change is regarded as indicating a future policy of reconciliation instead of the existing system of terrorism. General Weyler's present campaign against Gomez is considered a complete failure.' The only result is that Weyler's route

is marked by the destruction of property and the despair of peaceful inhabitants. Telegrams to Madrid annovince important operations in Pinar del Rio, during which the insurgents' camps and hospitals were destroyed, 71 of the rebels being killed. Captain Hart, owner of the filibustering vessel Laurada, has been sentenced at Philadelphia to two years' imprisonment, and ordered to pay a fine of SOOdols. and costs. The Times correspondent reports further indications that a policy of greater leniency is to be pursued by Spain for the purpose of avoiding complications with the United States. Three officers of high rank, against whom there were many charge of undue severity, have been removed from their posts. One American has been released without trial, and others will shortly be treated in a similar manner.