TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 913, 1 February 1868, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY

! Fbom Nov. 27 to Dec. 7. The Duke of Montrose explained the terms of the new postal contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Company. He says the Brindisi route has^ not been adopted because the present railway communication is inefficient. Steamers are to call at Messina instead of Malta, thus saving 24 hours. Postage is increased 3d. per half ounce. The American Congress has met the Judicial Committee, and has presented a report in favor of the impeachment of the President. The House of Commons has voted two millions sterling for the Abyssinian expedition. The vote was passed after a protracted discussion. It is considered doubtful whether the proposed Conference on the Roman question will be held. Telegrams state that a Mazzini conspiracy has been discovered in Italy. The Italian ' Parliament has been opened; members have explained the Italian policy on tho Roman question, and declared it not solvable by violence. The Pope would find Italy his strongest support: ' Congress has passed a bill repealing the cotton tax. Advices report the occurrence of another earthquake at St. Thomas ; the news is considered doubtful. Garibaldi has been transferred to Caprera on account of illness. Earl Russell's education resolutions were voided by moving the "previous question." French troops are leaving Rome. The Fenian executions are much approved. Jacob Bright has been returned for Manchester. The Panama mail had not arrived on the 3rd December. Wool is selling better. There is no London telegram of later date than 7th December. OUR CORRESPONDENT'S LETTER. London, Nov. 26, 1867. I remember in the "good old times " it used to be the custom of popular lecturers to haud to their hearers a syllabus of their dissertations. The custom was rather a good one, as it gave the audience an idea of what they were " going to have," and at the same time got over that stony part of the ground — the introduction. Suppose I try it this month; and mind I shall not have any interval between the parts. Syllabus. — Defeat of Garibaldi — Reoccupation of Rome by the French — A trial of the "Chassepot" rifle — Doubledealing of the Italian Government — Proposed Conference for the*, settlement of the Roman question — Opening of the French Chambers by the Emperor — Alleged conspiracy against Louis Napoleon — Opening of the Prussian Chambers — Cretan affairs in a new light — Opening of Parliament — The Abyssinian Expedition — Probabilities of the Session — The Peninsular and Oriental . contract in the House — Trial of the Fenians at Manchester ; five sentenced to be hanged ; one pardoned, and another respited ; efforts to obtain the reprieve of the other three — The Reform League turned Fenians — Outrageous conduct of a deputation to the Home Office — Deputation to the Queen — Execution of the three convicts — " Cabby " and his grievance — The Costermongers' trouble — Lord Mayor's Show for 1867 — The Banquet of Conservative Working Men at the Crystal Palace — Mr. Disraeli at Edinburgh — Court news — Terrific hurricane at St. Thomas ; eighty vessels lost; the town in ruins — A New York lie : Alleged submergance of the Island of Tortola — The real truth — Alarming aspect of affairs in America ; a war of races imminent — Conclusion.

When the mail left via Panama, it had been determined by the French Emperor to send his troops once more to Rome, The justification of such a step was clear by the breach of the September Convention, Italy having failed to keep the Papal territory inviolate. In addition to this, the Italian Government was evidently playing a double game ; for while it loudly protested against Garibaldi and all his doings, it allowed him to escape from Caprera, and come to Florence en route to Rome. At Florence he appeared in public, harangued the people, and started on his hairbrained expedition in a " special train." Without let or hindrance he ■crossed the Papal frontier, and seemed likely to carry all before him, and visions of another triumvirate, or mayhap dictatorship of Home, began to rise before Europe. No time was to be lost, if Louis Napoleon was to avoid a second siege of the Eternal City. With his accustomed quickness the troops were once more at Civita Vecchia ; and while Garibaldi was gathering his bands round him, the French marched into Rome. On Sunday, the 10th instant, the Papal troops went out against the Garibaldian, while the French expedition took up garrison duty, with the exception of three regiments that went to support the Pope's soldiers. The battle that ensued at Mentana appears to have been a most obstinate affair, and had it not been that the French came into action, there is little doubt Garibaldi would have driven his assailants into Rome again. At the critical moment, however, the " Chassepot " began its deadly work, and the ill-armed, ill-fed, ill-clothed, but brave enthusiasts were mowed down like ripe corn.- Garibaldi, seeing all was lost, fled, and being captured by the Italian troops, was once more made a prisoner, and sent to Spezzia. A. sad ending (for such it bids fair to be) of a career that might have had so brilliant a sunset. The result of all to the present time is that the Papal throne is again supported by French bayonets, at the imminent risk of a general European war, and Italy once more has foreign soldiers on her soil.

, Without doubt this [Roman question must be settled one way or other, andLouis Napoleon proposes a Conference for that purpose. There is not much faith put in these Conferences ; the present generation has seen too many of them assemble, to produce only confusion, and sometimes a deadly war. Italy must, in reference to the matter, do as the Emperor tells her, for she has clearly put herself out of court, by the manner in which she has allowed a solemn treaty to be ■trainp'led under foot. It is*not yet certain, who will attend the proposed Conference, even supposing it to assemble. stn opening the French Chambers, on the 18th instant, the Emperor alluded to the disquietude that prevailed, arising from thfr fear, that France would resent the sudden rise of Prussia, and he assured

Messieurs. Les Senateurs and Messieurs. Les Deputes that, so long as Prussia behaved herself, he should not meddle with her. Speaking of the Exhibition that has just closed in the Champs de Mars, he expressed his opinion that it had accomplished wonders, and that its effects would be felt for ages. He then, drew attention to the fact that, finding h.is project of raising an army is not exactly woi'kable, he had considered it necessary to submit his ideas to revision. Having necessarily to speak of the Roman question, he observed that, the Convention of September being broken, he had to send his troops once more to Rome, and then significantly added, " Italy, for a moment surprised, now understands." The Eastern question is quickly dismissed by saying " all the powers are agreed in maintaining the integrity of the Ottoman Empire, and improving the condition of the Christians." The "Reforms," so loudly proclaimed last January, are to be persisted in, but " without weakening authority." The whole speech breathes peace, but it is very enigmatical; it may mean everything, or nothing, war or peace, as the arbiter of Europe may hereafter determine. The Chambers will doubtless do as they are told, like "good servants, and true." After we had got the text of this speech, and before it could be well digested, we were startled with the announcement of a conspiracy against the Emperor ; but it all turned out a " storm in a tea-cup," and, the leaders arrested, there was an end of the matter.

On tlie Friday preceding the Emperor's speech, the King of Prussia opened Ms Parliament,, and his speech abounded in loud protestations of peace towards the "world in general, and Prance in particular. King William is very hopeful as to the Roman question, and is satisfied that the matter will not interfere with Prussia. He told the Parliament that " the organization of the military forces of the entire Fatherland is now complete "— something satisfactory for all Europe to know. Looking at his speech as a whole, it may be said that it is of the same species as the Emperor's, i.e., capable of any interpretation. On the sth December we shall see what King Victor Emmanuel will tell us and his Parliament.

The Cretan insurrection has again burst out, and this time the Greek sympathizers seem to have been discarded — the islanders preferring to do war on their own account. No one can believe that they will be allowed to proceed in this manner, so we shall soon see another set of alarming accounts in print as to the " atrocities " committed by each side upon the other.

It being the month of speeches, seemingly, the High Court of Parliament in England assembled according to announcement. It was expected up till almost the last moment that Her Majesty would open the session in person, especially as it was called for the purpose of voting supplies for an expedition to uphold the dignity of her crown. For some unpublished reason, Her Majesty refused to appear in public, and so the session was opened by commission. The speech was not a long one, and of course the Abyssinian question was the burden of the oration.- With regard to our European relations, it was almost a coxmterpart of the Imperial and royal speeches already alluded to, mildly expressing a hope that the Empei'or Napoleon will quickly find himself able to withdraw his troops from Rome. Turning homewards, the speech declared that FenifJnism has attained in England " a form of organized violence and assassination ; " but no fear is entertained of the ultimate triumph of the law. We are to have Reform Bills for Scotland and Ireland — a Bill for putting down (?) bribery and corruption. The Public Schools Bill is to be again brought forward, and our mercantile marine is to be looked after. If all this is got through in the proposed short session, we shall have no reason to complain of our legislators. The debates upon the address proved very uninteresting. Lord Russell, of course, found fault with those who had turned him out of office, and nothing seemed to give him satisfaction ; nevertheless, he could not give us any idea of a better plan of government. Since the address has been agreed to, little of moment has taken place, the Abyssinian debate being adjourned by consent till this evening. There is little doubt the Government will carry all before them. With the limited programme brought forward there is little probability of a severe fight taking place. Every one seems inclined to get through the work, and enjoy Christmas at their own firesides.

I must not omit to mention that the English sympathy for the afflicted, and the courtesy for "which the members of the House of Commons are proverbial, had a very graceful exemplification on the opening night of the session. Mr. Gladstone, in his remarks, said he forbore to make strong comments^ as he felt he could not do so " under the domestic circumstances immediately affecting the leader of the House, to which lie need not more pointedly refer." The fact is, Mrs. Disraeli has been very ill lately, and last Tuesday her life was despaired of. This delicate allusion met with the full sympathy of both sides of the House.

A matter affecting New Zealand to a certain extent is shortly to furnish some food for discussion. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's contract being shortly to expire, the matter lias been under consideration for some time, and fears were entertained that the French company, " Les Messag cries Imperiales," would be employed for the future ; but wiser counsels have prevailed, and the Government, subject to the approval of the House, have agreed to give the Peninsular and Oriental Company £400,000 a-year for a period . of twelve years —it being provided that should the dividend paid by the company in any year exceed 8 per cent., one-fourth of such excess is to bo paid to the Treasury. On the other hand, should the dividend at any time fall below 6 per cent., the subsidy is to be increased so as to raise it to 8 per cent. This contract is generally regarded with great favour, and there is little doubt of its ratification. As the contract now stands, there will be fifty-two voyages during the year each way to and from India, twenty-six each way from China to Point do Galle, and thirteen each way between Point do Galle and Australia. Thus, the communication between London and Bombay will be weekly ; between London, Calcutta, China, and the Point de Galle, fortnightly ; and between London and Australia, once every four weeks — the night of dispatch in all cases from here being ' Friday, and matters are to be so arranged that the homeward mails shall be delivered in London on the Monday.

Manelioster has been the city of the kingdom to which all eyes and thoughts have been turned during the last few days. When the Panama mail left, the Special Commission appointed to try the men concerned in the rescue of ICelly and Deasy from the prison van (and the consequent murder of Sergeant Brett) had just commenced. The first five prisoners were all found guilty of murder, and sentence of death was passed upon them. A few others, found guilty of aiding and assisting, have been awarded various terms of penal servitude. Soon after the trials it was clearly proved that

one of the men (Maguire), who was sentenced to be hanged, was . never near the scene in question, so he received an absolute pardon, or rather was set at liberty. The degrees of guilt of the other four, were certainly of different shades, though all were equally liable for the effects of their violence. In the evidence it was proved that Allen, Gould, and Larkin were possessed of fire-arms, and used them ; but with regard to the fourth man (Shore), it was shown that he only employed stones to effect the common object. The laws of the country had been most decidedly outraged, but as revenge does not enter into the administration of justice in England, mercy was shown, and Shore's sentence has been commuted to one of penal servitude. The other three, being left to be hanged, were duly, executed on Saturday morning last. Owing to the threats of the Fenians, and the disorderly conduct of a small section of the people, fears were entertained that an attempt at rescue would be made. The authorities, therefore, wisely determined to show that they were ready to assert . the dignity of the law, and so massed a large body of troops in and around Manchester, as also employed 2000 special constables to help the police. "When the preparations for the execution were nearly completed, on the Friday, thousands of persons defiled before the scaffold, and when the Saturday morning broke, an immense crowd lined all the approaches to the gallows. . Instead of any riot or tumult, it was noticed that seldom has a " hanging mob " been so orderly, and as the hour approached a dense fog prevailed, so that only those who were very close to the scaffold could really say they saw the men executed. So has passed over a day that certain of the ill-disposed had threatened should be a black day for England. The most disgraceful thing connected with . these trials has been the attempt made by some people to turn these three "rowdies" into patriots and martyrs, and to try their hardest so to hoodwink the public that it might appear that the men were hanged because they were Fenia/ns, and not murderers of a brave unarmed man. The men who have done this are for the most part men who lack the brute courage to take to rowdyism " on their own hook," but do not hesitate to use such language as may incite others to commit outrages — in a word, men possessed of small hearts, wicked imaginations, and loud voices. These fellows began their disgraceful conduct on Sunday, the 17th instant, by what they, with grim facetiousness, called a "mass meeting" on Clerkenwell Green. This delightful mob deputed some fifty of its loudest- voiced demagogues to bear to the Home Secretary its desire — nay, its command — that the three convicts should not be hanged. On ihe Monday, therefore, these worthies went to Whitehall to see Mr. Hardy, but, as that gentleman refused to see the " mob," they did not obtain what was evidently their hearts' desire — a chance of bullying one of Her Majesty's ministers. To be met by a messenger who barred their further progress, was too much for the new-born dignity of this deputation; so, rudely pushing the official on one side, they took forcible possession of one of the anterooms of the Home office. This "victory " they seized upon to utter such language as a few years back (even so recently as 1849) would have placed them in the dock at the Old Bailey; and even now, all sensible people have a certain feeling of disappointment that they are not there. They were got rid of by the same ruse which has dispersed many such a " band of heroes," viz., by the aforesaid messenger putting his head into the room, and shouting " The bobbies are coming !" Thereupon, these pot-valiants, who declared they would move " heaven and earth " for the rescue of those scoundrels, " skeedaddled." Not having quite vented all their sedition and insolence, they sent some of their choicest spirits to Birmingham and elsewhere, to " stir up the people." At Birmingham, a series of riots has been the result, while at other places the emissaries have had to boat an ignominious retreat. • To cap_ the impudence of these men, some ot them went to Windsor, thinking to see Her Majesty ; they were quickly turned out of the Eoyal precincts, and the police of the town had to save . them from the threatened vengeance of the people. It is certain that if these men are allowed to continue unchecked their seditious speeches and outrageous conduct, we can only look for some serious disturbance. Deep down in the English heart is a great reverence for law and order ; and, though much may ' be put up with and borne in patience, sooner or later the uneducated portion of the community will be sure to resent openly such attacks upon what to them is very dear. Nor must it be forgotten that it has the, to them, objectionable feature of being an "Irish Movement."

One sorrowfully sees that the class of men already alluded to have received a certain sort of encouragement from the other sections of the people. First and foremost are those who, having adopted the trade of "Reform" agitation, think nothing is to be left untouched by them. Their idea of Reform, perhaps, might be designated "English moral foree — Eenianism — hence it followed that choosing to look at highwaymen as patriots, the Reform League turned Fenians, and openly declared the fact. This new faith must prove its wreck, and its departure from among us none of the well-disposed will mourn. The other section is composed of those who object to capital punishment, and those who are for ever trying to make mercy and justice two different things. Their efforts met with very little support, from the simple fact that they chieily appealed to people who took the trouble to think. The truest mercy to the whole community was to show that life could not be trifled with under any pretence ; and mercy surely was shown in exactly inverse ratio to that displayed by themselves. Suddenly, and all unprepared, without one look or word to those he loved so dearly, without a moment's time to forgive and be forgiven, did they send their victim to his account ; they were allowed to see all their relations, and to the last received every care and attention.

From the condign punishment of these men, one must turn to a fearful calamity that has overtaken one of our mining districts. On the Bth of November a terrible explosion took place at the Ferndale Colliery, by which at least 160 lives have been sacrificed. The misery and distress that this has caused it is almost impossible to describe. It seems the same old tale of carelessness producing its xisual results. The pit itself is thoroughly destroyed by the force of the explosion. Subscriptions for the widows and orphans are of course being made. From the dangerous state of the workings, the recovery of the bodies proceeds nt a very slow pace.

Among the hasty legislation of the previous session was the Metropolitan Streets Traffic Act. It came into operation on the Ist instant, and immediately the cabdrivers threatened to rise in revolt, or proceed by ,the usual means of a strike. Their grievance is that Sir Richard Mayne may compel them to carry a lamp ; this, tkey say, will entail a yery heavy expense upon them, and, certainly, looking at the

amounts paid by these men in the way of duty, there is some show of reason in their complaints. Still, that these cabs must be improved, there is no doubt ; we cannot longer put up with the abominations they dignify with the name of vehicles.

Another class of men upon whom the Act pressed heavily was the costermongers, who were no longer allowed to have stalls in the streets. They were thus debarred from getting their living, and it seemed likely that nearly 50,000 persons would be thrown upon the parishes for support. Seeing the ill effects of the Act, Mr. Hardy has brought in a Bill to alter three clauses, and so the costcrmongers are able to resume their trade, and the cabbies are somewhat appeased. This being the age of " Reform," a striking one has taken place in the Lord Mayor's Show. No longer do men in rusty suits of armour, bands of music discoursing most clashing tunes, and a " waggon " called a " state coach," stop the city traffic for the day. The new Lord Mayor (Mr. Allen) determined to get to Westminster and back as quickly as he could, so he dispensed with the state coach, and had a very handsome vehicle built, capable of running on its wheels at a sharp trot, without jolting to pieces. Of course, some members of- the Court of Aldermen are terribly put out at this " paring down " of the dignity of the Corporation of London, but the majority entirely approve of the abolition of absurdities. The "roughs" and pickpockets, not having sufficient time to pursue their vocation properly, duly hissed at the reformed show.

The banquet that followed in the evening was a most splendid affair, and the speeches were pretty good, though not very remarkable. JEarl Derby being absent through illness, Mr. Disraeli took care to say that if the noble earl could have come, he would have told them what the Government thought about the future; so he regaled them with a little talk about figures— his particular province. As Mr. Potter and Mr. Beales both claimed the merit of passing the Reform Bill, they of course determined to have a banquet at the Crystal Palace ; but, the worthies disagreeing, Mr. Potter alone succeeded in getting up a dinner, and, as you are aware, it proved a failure. The Conservatives, considering they had had a little to do with the Eeform Bill, determined also to have a banquet; and so 2000 working men assembled at the Crystal Palace, and the whole affair proved a great success, much to the chagrin of the Star and Telegraph, who had entirely denied the existence of such a thing as a Conservative working man. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has had quite a " triumphal mai'ch" at Edinburgh, where the people gave him a grand banquet, made him a doctor of laws, and entertained him at a working man's meeting. In fact, his reception in the Modern Athens was enthusiastic in the extreme, and the opportunity was not lost by the right hon. gentleman to take all credit for the successful passing of the Eeform Bill. Her Majesty has returned from Scotland to Windsor, and though, as mentioned, she did not open Parliament in person, it is still believed that next " season " will see the Court return to its accustomed gaiety

The month, lias been, one of violence and disaster ; and as if to fill ouv cup of the horrible to the very brim, we have received news of a terrific hurricane at St. Thomas, by which eighty vessels have been lost, the town itself laid in ruins, and hundreds of lives sacrificed. It is useless for me to, attempt in the space of this letter to write you an account of this disaster. As though this news and sorrow were not appalling enough, the New York Herald invented a tremendous lie, which was sent to us by the Atlantic cable ; it was to the effect that the Island of Tortola had been suddenly submerged, and 10,000 people destroyed. For several days it was impossible to get at the absolute truth, and when it did come, lo ! and behold ! the Island of Tortola is still above the level of the sea. The same hurricane that swept over St. Thomas seems to have visited Tortola, and committed great havoc — indeed, the accounts are most distressing — but the loss of life does not seem to exceed at the very outside fifty. The total loss of life at St. Thomas and Tortola cannot possibly be less than 500, and the property destroyed at from £1,500,000 to £2,000,000. All this terrific damage took place in the short space of two hours. Affairs in America are looking very dark. The negroes seem determined, if possible, to bring about a war of races. They have been drilling and arming until it has been found necessary to disband them. Unless prompt measures are adopted, a war of races is not an improbability.