GENERAL NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 410, 27 August 1897, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

(Pt>- Tress Aa-vriation. —Coj'yriyht.) London, August 25. President Kruger, in a reply with regard to the Right Hon. -J. Chamberlain's claims of the suzerainty of Great Britain, states that he desired to maintain the 1884 Convention, which contained no single word bearing precisely on the question of suzerainty. The Transvaal Government would not recognise suzerainty, because it was entirely opposed to the Convention. At a meeting of the Irish National Federation, Mr Dillon persidiug, it was resolved to refrain from joining in the welcome to th<* Duke of York as a protest against the refusal to grant an amnesty to the Irish political prisoners.

H.M.S. Minerva, a twin scrcw cruiser of the second-class, which has been engaged on particular service, is to be recommissioned in October, and will relieve the Orlando as flagship on the Australian station. Percy Caviil, of Sydney, won the half-mile swimming handicap at Manchester in record time. Rome, August 26. The Pope has intervened on behalf of the niece of General Becnero who was arrested for being concerned in a rebellion at Cuba. Melbourne, August 26. The report of the Railway Commissioners shows that 48 miles of nonpaying lines had been closed to traffic. ' The annual interest on the capital cost of these was £19,000. t Sydney, August 26. The of New South Wales Cancel's who took part in the Jubilee festivities, and performed so well at the Islington tournament, returned to-day. They were accorded an enthusiastic reception.

CABLES.