GENERAL NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 451, 15 October 1897, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

(Per Press Association.—Copyright.) London - , Oct. 13. | At the wool sales to-day competition ■was good, but prices slightly below the past week's rates. Oct. 14. The arbitrators selected by England and America to settle tbe Venezuela boundary difficulty will mejt in Paris next summer. 31. F. Demartens, a Russian international authority, has been appointed to act as umpire. In the course of a speech at Wormit, Fifeshire, the Bight Hon. H. S. Asquith, who was Home Secretary in the late Liberal administration, dwelt upon the advantages of the looseness and elasticity of the ties between the colonies and the Motherland. To enter upon an Imperial constitution would imperil the present security of tbe Empire, and granting preferential duties in favor of the colonies would, hs said, prove the first step towards the destruction of British* colonial trade. Rome, Oct. 14. The whole Ita'ian fleet will in November make an attempt to* mobilise within 48 hours. Athens, Oct. 14. The Cretans still insist upon the withdrawal of the Turkish troops as one of the conditions of acceptance of the scheme of autonomy for the island proposed by the Powers. Sydney, This day. vßMMarge fire this morning completely the two upper stories of Murray's printing establishment in Clarance street. Tbe lower portion of the building was also damaged by fire and water. The loss is unknown. The brigade succeeded in preventing the" fire from spreading.