GENERAL SUMMARY.

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

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, Dec. 15

It lias been definitely ascertained that the European Conference plan proposed by the Emperor Napoleon on the Roman question has failed. The assemblage was to have taken place in Munich on the 9th inst., but some difficulty was experienced in the diplomatic correspondence before the day arrived. Paris was then spolcen of as the place of meeting ; the form of. representation was changed, but tho same day adhered to. Subsequently, after the delivery of a speech by the French Minister, liouher, to the Legislature on the subject of the relations between Borne and Italy, in which ho declared that Italy " could never take Home by force," the hesitancy of the Powers assumed the form of open objection on tho ground of inutility. It has since been ascertained that the conference, or congress, will not assemble, as all the great Powers have positively refused to attend.

Despatches have been received in London from Massowah, which report that the British Abyssinian expeditionhas advanced a considerable distance into the interior of the country ; but at last accounts the troops were suffering from scarcity of water.

A telegram received from Bombay gives a rumor that King Theodore.of Abyssinia, had ordered the English prisoners in his custody to be executed. This, however, is not believed.

The bill for a tax of 1 per cent, on incomes, to defray the expenses of the Abyssinian war, passed the House of Commons on the 3rd.

In the House of Peers, on tho 7th Dec, Earl Mayo made a short speech, in which he deplored the bad taste and evil effect of the public funerals for the Fenians executed at Manchester, which, had taken placo in England and Ireland. Such demonstrations he declared showed a disposition to sanction murder. He was glad to say that every precaution had been

taken by the authorities to prevent or suppress any outbreak arising from the bad passions thus fomented. A second instalment of the correspondence between the British and American Governments in regard to the Alabama claims was laid before the House of Commons on the 4th inst.

Lord Stanley, in a despatch dated the 16th of November, to Mr. Ford, Charge d' Affaires at Washington, says that England will never consent to submit to the arbitration of a foreign power claims involving her right to recognise belligerents. The right, he insists, is purely a question of English law. He repeats his offer to submit to arbitration the Alabama claims, and to refer all other demands for indemnity to the decision of a mixed commission.

The Times, in an editorial on the correspondence with the United States Government in regard to the controversy about the Alabama claims, says : — " Lord Stanley is right in refusing to permit the foreign policy of England to be reviewed by any foreign power whatever. On all other points England will gladly meet the United States half way, as she is thoroughly tired of the discussion.

At a late hour on the night of the 7th, Parliament adjourned, to meet on the 13th of February. The Times, in commenting on the message of President Johnson, says : — " The message shows that Mr. Johnson has learned nothing. He transcends himself in imprudence. He regards his office as absolute sovereigns do their prerogatives. He has forfeited all respect. It is hard to say where the hope of 1 the people lies, between Andrew Johnson on the one side, and Thaddeus Stevens on the other."

The other English journals use similar language on the subject. Hon. Edward Thornton, the newly appointed Minister to the United States, arrived in London, from Rio de Janeiro, on the sth inst. ; he reported that a formidable revolt had broken out at Paysandu. All the cabmen of London left their .stands and refused to go to work on the 3rd, because of an obnoxious regulation which has been put in force requiring them to attach lamps to their vehicles. The cabmen held a meeting at Exeter Hall the same night.

Another meeting was held at the same time in Trafalgar Square. Many speeches were made and resolutions enthusiastically adopted expressing determination not to submit to the new regulation, and to persist in the strike until the law is abolished. They agreed to work until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and not a moment after that hour. People who wanted cabs and hacks were put to great inconvenience, when the authorities consented to yield to the cabmen and the obnoxious law was suspended. The great Powers have addressed a note to the Sublime Porte asking that the navigation of the Dardanelles be made free to the shipping of all nations. Further particulars of the recent disastrous cyclone in India have been received.

At Calcutta the loss of life and property was fearful. It is estimated that in that city and neighborhood alone a thousand persons perished. Thirty thousand huts and habitations were entirely destroyed. At Bombay many houses were demolished, and the crops in the surrounding country were destroyed, the grounds being swept bare. Great damage was also done to the shipping. Many vessels were sunk, and the loss of property is heavy. Telegraphic communication with India was interrupted by the cyclone, but has been restored.

A deputation from the English Bible Society recently presented the Emperor Napoleon Avith a copy of an English Bible. The Emperor made a bi'ief address to the gentlemen of the deputation, in which he declared it was his first rule to pi*otect all religions.

Garibaldi is still held as a prisoner at Caprera.

In the city of Liverpool precautions have been taken by the Government to check any demonstrations on the part of the Orangemen.