SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10217, 11 December 1893, Page 5

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

(PerE.M.S.S, Monowai.) [Pee Press Association.! AUCKLAND, Dec, 9. GENERAL SUMMA ‘-CT. (Dates from Europe up to Nov. 15.) It is reported that the Tories are’preparing an Irish Home Eule scheme, which will be published after the return of Mr Chamberlain to England. Philip Soheig, a defaulting paying teller of the Bank of Minneapolis,, and Frank Lloyd, his accomplice, were arrested at Southampton on board a steamer from New York. Giliig, of the Bank of Minneapolis, identified the men. Scheig and Lloyd made a violent resistance to. arrest, and Scheig tried to use a revolver. Two revolvers were taken from each pf the men, who were looked up in gaol handcuffed. They were brought to London. The baggage of tho two men, which w supposed to contain the bulk of the stolen money, war seized. An explosion occurred on the morning of Nov. 13, in tho coal-laden steamer Driplast, off the' Isle of Wight, killing one man and causing th,e vessel to sink. The remainder of the crew were reaened, M. Henri Eoohefort and others have been amnestied by the French Government. It waa a mere political exigency. Rochefort will not leave London, where he is residing. He can do much more there than in Paris.

The Duke of Devonshire addressed ft great meeting of Unionists in Ulster Hall, Belfast, on Nov. 0. He said that the Gladstone party was demoralised, and dared not appeal to the country on the question of Home Eule.

.< Four men and two women were arrested in Liverpool on Nov. 10 on a charge of gigantic swindling. They operated under two firm's names, both claiming to. be American merchants and exporters. By means of mutual references they succeeded in getting trusted by one hundred and fifty firms for goods to the value of many thousand pounds, alleged to be for the American market, but which they pawned in Liverpool or sold at auction in other towns.

The Marquis of Queensberry wan quietly married ou Nov. 7 at Eastbourne to Miss Ethel Weedon. The bride is described as young and rich. It i« rumoured in copper circle;* that f very important combination baa been formed, including Boron Hirsch,' the Eothßohilds and Lefinsohn Bros. It has long been supposed that a clique;, led by Baron. Hirsch, held half of the present visible cupply of copper, amounting in value to .£500,000. The birthday of the Prince of Wales was celebrated on Nov. 9. at Sandringham. The Church belle rang during the morning, and flags flew everywhere in; the vicinity. A dinner was given to three hundred labourers and workmen employed upon the Prince of Wales’ estate.

A meeting of English and foreign anarchists was held on Nov. 12 in Trafalgar square. Twelve hundred assembled to do honour to the Chicago martyrs. The base of the Nelson column was surrounded by anarchists bearing red and black banners. A large number of police and detectives were among. the crowd listening to the speeches and taking notes of sensational remarks. The speakers were less violent than usual. It is learned on good authority.'aceording to a London despatch of Nov. 11, that a well-known English retired naval officer is farming a small fleet of cruisers and torpedo-boats in England, in command of which he intends to- proceed to the assistance of Admiral De Mello. He has already purchased two ships which he is fitting up as cruisers, and is negotiating with a leading Thames shipbuilder for two torpedoboats. Several English naval officers are preparing to accompany the expedition. -

In a speech at Harrow on Nov. 11. the Bight Hon Lord George Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty during Lord Sailsbury’s Administration, said, “If Great Britain is deprived of the command of the sea a large portion of her people will be r educed to permanent destitution. Foreign nations are 'making great naval progress, and, unless we make an immediate and determined effort we shall be at a disadvantage next year. - I Hope the Government will soon intimate its readiness to prepare to 1 meet the new wants of the Navy.' to not it will be the duty of Parliament to make it show its hand” , An examination of the accounts of Hallett and Co,, navy agents and bankers, shows, according to a Loudon despatch of Nov. 6, liabilities of >2160.000. Several of the Princes-BoyaL'and most of the prominent naval officers/ are among the unsecured creditors. Hallett attributes his failure to aiding the Dalziel News Agency to the extent of over J 840,000.

The British troopship Crocodile, having on hoard a largo number of soldiers returning from India on sick i leave or because their terms of office have expired, was reported disabled off ■ tlie'. Arabian coast on Nov. 4, and the gunboat Pigeon and several tugs went from Aden to the assistance of the vessel.

The London Times is the authority for saying that there have been four hundred cases of diphtheria in London per week recently, causing eighty or ninety deaths weekly.

At the annual Diocesan Synod, County Down; Ulster, on Oct. 81, the Dean of Down proposed a motion thanking God for the rejection of the Home Rule Bill by the House of Lords, and thanking the Unionist Peers for opposing the measure. Dr Wright moved an amendment describing the action of the House of Lords as narrow-minded and suicidal. An exciting scene followed. A babel of voices protested against the amendment, and amid a etom of cries the Rev Dr Hunt seconded it, and made a speech, describing the Lords as “ruffians.” The members of the Synod became infuriated, and Grand Orangeman Kaae threatened to eject Dr Hunt, A vote was fically taken on Dr Wright’s amendment, and it was rejected. The London Times of Nov. 5, referring to a rumour adverse to the Bank of England, says;—“lnvestigation of certain irregularities with regard to advances on securities is proceeding, but it is probable that the losses will be much less than has been alleged, and reports cf the retirement of the Directors are erroneou*. While it is difficult to fix the blame on individual Director?, wo are of opinion that there must be soriou faults in the system under which the irregularities - ' occurred. It appears to us thac on the present occasion the bank will be well advised to depart from its customary and proper practice of ignoring such rumours, and publish facts which concern the publio v iu advance of tho half-yearly meeting. Though the bank is a private corporation, it is also a national institution, and there-, fore ought to reassure the pubLo when uneasiness has been created by false rumours.” Later despatches say that the bank officials continue to maintain silence. It is stated on good authority, however, that the bank’s connection with bad finance is practically limited to its transactions with South American and Mexican Companies, which have bean ventilated in Courts, and that. the irregulamiei ward confined to allowing favoured customers to substitute less desirable securities for those upon which money was originally lent. Herbert Spencer, the famous philosopher, is growing feebler, and bis invalidism: ia becoming chronic. Alderman Robert Tyler, the new Lord Mayor of London, was inducted iuto office on Nov. 9 with the usual formalities, including the customary parade, witnessed by tens of thousands of people. It was not ■ well received by the working men, who • Hissed as the procession passed. At the banquet in the evening Earl Spencer, First Lord of the Admiralty, replied to the toost of the Navy, saying in effect that the Government is determined to develop it and maintain England’s supremacy. The toast of the Ministry was responded to by Lord Kimberley, Lord President of theCouncil and Secretary for India. He said that foreign relations were friendly at present, but the Government could not contemplate the armaments of the Continent without anxiety. He congratulated Mk heare)ffc4>A fcaviog finally

the friendship of Great Britain and America. ’ ' A SHORT SESSION. • The antumn session of Parliament opened quietly on Nov. 4, and in striking contract to the ch sing scones of last sea- ' aioa. It nromisea to bo of short duration, as the programme is almost non-coaten-tions, and the attitude of the Opposition distinctively conciliatory. The Press has been busy since tho opening discovering' defections. Mr Fowler and Lord ivimherley are mentioned so two of four alleged dafectioniats. ' The former is declared to have demanded further protection for Uloter in the Home Rule Bill. These rumonra are entirely unfounded, according to a late despatch. The Government sees nothing disturbing in the political outlook, as shown by the fact that a Cabinet Council on Nov. 4 was the first morning meeting of the Ministry since the House of Lords’ rejection of Home Rule. AN EXCITING DEBATE. There was an exciting discussion of the right of Anarchists to assemble in Trafalgar Square to commemorate the anniversary of too death of the ” Chicago ..Reds,” iu the House of Commons on the afternoon of Nov. 14 Mr Gladstone’s Government was denounced for permitting auoh demonstration, and Mr Darling moved to adjourn in order to call attention to Trafalgar Square m a meeting-place for Anatchists, who openly gloried in outrages at Chicago and Barcelona. Mr Darling, who is a wellknown writer, author aud lawyer, said it wm tho duty of Mr Asquith, the Homo ; Secretary, to have satisfied himself of the object of the mooting at Trafalgar Square before permitting it to tako place. Mr BMfour, tho Conservative leader, supported Mr Darling’s motion and strongly .censured tho Government. The meeting, 'according to Mr Balfour, was a breach of tho lawii 1 Mr John Burns, Labour leader, and member for one of the Battersea divisions, defended the Trafalgar Square meeting as being a protest against tho action of tho Chicago police, and the Home Secretary, ■Mr Asquith, replying to the attack of Mr Darling, said the meeting was insignificant and not illegal. The motion to adjourn was., negatived. This discussion created a decided etir in London. Tho Timas , referring to tho speech of Mr Burns, said Mr Burns’ remarks on tho wicked, mass aero at Chicago deserve careful study on the' part of American citizens sympathising %ith tho demand for the release of our ioßMtlo dynamiters. THE MEN OF ULSTER. . The Ulster Parliament assembled on' Oot, 84 to take measures to resist Home Bole. The meeting aroused great interest in the city of Belfast, the place of assemblage. The sitting was conducted in Srirate, but it came out afterwards that ie Duke of Abecoorn was unanimously elected President, after which the National Anthem was sung amid great enthusiasm. While the Parliament was in session a simultaneous conference of Union women ■at in the Assembly Hall. In the Parliament a heated discussion took place on the anestion whether all Unionist people tumid be included in the Central Conference. Two Presbyterian clergymen moved ’that only ten should bo allowed to sib in Council, and this motion was carried. Mr Oaha supported tho amendment, and threats were made to dethrone him from the Mastership of the > Society. Most of the members became dissatisfied with the proceedings, and left till the meeting teeolved to raise a guarantee fund which shall not be called upon until a Parliament has been established In Dublin. A resolution was carried unanimously declaring allegiance to the United Kingdom, and thanking the Honae of Lords for the rejection of the Home Buie Bill.

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. The English Press is drawing attention to the present state of affairs in Matabele]and. and attacks the South African Company without mercy. The London Chronicle leads the attack, and is seconded by Truth, while: the Daily News is not behindhand in the onslaught. The Company is described as bankrupt, and its attempt to acquire Matabeleland is said to be the last course of desperate men. The story of the Com- ' pany’a atrocities in order to force tne Matabolea into war excites even more attention than the review of the seamy side of the Company’s promotion and its present financial condition. Speaking of the so-called Matabele raid, a settler named Davis assents in a letter to Mr Labouohere that the Matabeles were simply massaored. Between fifteen and thirty were killed, and (in Mr Davis’ own words) "it was like buck-shooting, for the • poor, devils took to their heels, and we galloped ■ up and eliot them down point blank.” The Company’s men engaged in this ; slaughter had been recruited nt Johannesburg, and wore the sweepings of the town and the Police Courts. The slaying of Matabele envoys in cold blood is severely, commented on, and the official explanations were decidedly unsatisfactory. The Daily News of Oct. 29 says that Sir Henry Lpch’-a account is a wretchedly unsatisfactory story, and calls for more light. , ANARCHY IN MARSEILLES. At midnight on Nov. 16 an attempt was made to blow, up the official residence of General Mathelin, of the Fifteenth Army Corps. The house is surrounded by a high wall, into which niches for sentry-boxes are built, though, owing to the lata quiet condition of affairs, no sentries have occu--1 pied them. Cases of dynamite were placed in these niches, also one in the hall-way of the house and one in the orderly’s room adjoining the apartments occupied by the General. About midnight a bomb exploded with fearful force, breaking every pane of glass in the house and the adjoining house, and, badly damaging the building occupied by a girls’ school and the Octroi, or food-tax building, opposite the girls’ residence. The supposition, is that the dynamiters expected the first concussion to set off all the other oases. As it was, nobody was hurt. A rigid investigation is in progress, and the police have arrested a party of Anarchists, including ten foreigners. THE MOORS AND THE SPANIARDS. The Spanish reverses at Melilla, Morocco, are. due to the mistake of the Spanish General Marcello underrating the hostility and the fighting powers of the Arabs. At ft Cabinet Council in Madrid on Sunday, Oct. 2f), called by the Queen Regent bec- . self, her Mujeuty said she considered the ti me had arrived to appeal to the patriotism of all Spaniards for sacrifices to defend the Spanish honour in Melilla. She ashed that all information in regard to affaire there should bo published, and nothing concealed. At the close of the Council tho Y/adtaz Infantry Regiment was ra- ' viewed by the Queen and her children, accompaaiod by a number of noblemen and generals, and ordered immediately for camce. Advices received at Madrid on Out. 31 say that the Moors continue to make desultory attacks on the Spanish iiaoa. The enemy are busily at work constructing their trenches in spite of the lira of the forts. The Arabs and Moors are, in tact, besieging Melilla. and the Boamardfl have all they can. do to hold their own. Spain will be forced to send mi army if she seeks to out these fighting tribesmen of the hills. The Sultan (Slot Muley Hussan) has ruled m Fez and Morocco for twenty years. -Ho has a well-armed and well-organised army of 40,000 men, and a shrewd military adviser m Captain Alan Mac Loan, a Scotchman wiith an African record. THE PACIFIC CABLE. ■ A despatch from Montreal gives an interview with* Mr C. R. Gosmier, general maunectof the Canada-Pacific Railroad, in winch ho said: “We are naturally intensely i interested- in the agitation prevailing in England and the Australian Colonies over the proposed Pacific cable. We contend that a Canadian-Pacific telegraph with an Atlantic cable connection can be made to form the cheapest and quickest route for telegraphic communication between Groat • Britain and Australasia, and believe that the growing commerce of the Pacific Ocean demands that this cable be laid. Wo . ore satisfied that it will be hud by some one within a veryjhort-time. A-«|ie»pen

and quicker telegraphic communication would prove in Canada, as well as elsewhere, one of the most important factors in diverting a larger share of Australian commerce, viA Canada and tho United States, to Groat Britain.” A HIGH FLYING SWINDLER. A detective of Scotland Yard is iu communication with Detective Brynes, of New York, with a view to hia assistance in running dorm a swindler long le-ident in tho city known as William Griffith, alias Griffin, alias Graham, alias Homier. Colonel Roberts, Chief of the London Detoctivo Bureau, considers tho fugitive the most brazen rascal with whom ha baa been called upon to deal for years. His address may bo placed in New York or Boston, but his field of ‘'operations” is not confined by even the bounds of a continent, for ho has operated iu tho United States, Canada, aud Australia, aud has just managed to make his visit to England one prolific of wealth to himself. He has the appearance oi being what ho protenda to be, a highly prosperous apseuh'.tor. Among his American victims in Londc\a aro eaid to have been Frank D. Merrill, representing the Venezuelan Government In a business way, one of the Hudobalkers and others. His plan was to give out quietly that ho was a confidential agent of the Standard Oil Company,, and then to dispose of fraudulent paper. He ia known in New York as “ Big Griffin.” He went through Australia a few yens ago and worked the same scheme; returning to San Francisco with a sum estimated at from ISO.OCOdoI to 200,000d01. He posed as Lord Ashburton some years ago, and at San Francisco a banquet was given iu his honour by the Mayor. In the latter part of tho seventies he was associated with the moat powerful band of international bond forgers and counterfeiters that ever worked America and Europe. Ho deceived bis “ pals,” and fled to San Francisco from New York, first doing a stroke of business to a large amount in jewellery and diamonds at Kirkpatrick’s, at the corner of Nineteenth street and Broadway. In San Francisco ho was arrested, and after a term in San Quentin was released. On his return to Now York he was arrested for the Kirkpatrick affair. Ho pleaded guilty and aa he was in poor health at the time, actually or assumed, he was released, and allowed to go to his homo at Dartmouth, Devonshire, England. CLOSE OF THE GREAT EXPOSITION. The World’s Columoian Exposition at Chicago closed on the evening of Oct. 30. The event waste have been one of dazzling brilliancy, bub the awful and untimely death of Carter H. Harrison, Mayor of tho city, changed all the arrangements, and appropriate action was taken at a memorial meeting iu the Festival H»\l in memory of Chicago’s chief magistrate, all other ceremonies being abandoned. The last day opened with beautiful weather, but a pall hung over the great Exposition and its myriad of flags floated at balf-masfc. President Palmer, of the National Commission, presided. After an address and the passage of resolutions of condolence with the late mayor’s family, a salute was fired, the flags hauled down, and the closing of the Exposition officially declared. Tho total attendance from tho opening to the closing was 21,458,910, and the total free admissions were 5,953,878. While this grave and official ending of tho great Exposition

was being made at the memorial meeting in the" Festival Hall, there was quite a different scone in the Midway Plaisance. There all barriers had been broken down, and revelry ran riot. Men and women alike seemed unmindful of decorum. It waa a mad carnival. Both sexes marched up and down the Piaisance, tooting horns. Crowds of revellers swept everything before them. They took people off their feet and trampled over them unconcernedly. Protestations were met with laughter and drowned by horns, horse rattles, and the beating of improvised gongs and cymbals. Aa night grow the fun became more fast and furious. The signs ware torn down and used as banners, awnings were ripped from \ rafters and formed into ropes, with which men and women draped thamsalveo. The tumult was the wildest ever known in the city. A tremendous fight between the 'revell guard varied the proceedings. In the midst of all this hullabaloo an alarm waa sounded from the Treasurer’s Office. The guards and clerks rushed out armed, and at first it was thought an attempt had been made to rob the Treasury; bat, after all, the fright had bean caused by the accidental touching of an alarm button. AMERICAN SUMMARY. A news despatch to the New York Times from London, of Nov. G, mentions that Mias Adele Grant, a famous American beauty, and daughter of the late Beach Grant, of New York, has announced to members of the family her engagement to the Earl of Essex. Cramps, of Philadelphia, builder of iron steamships, has turned out a war vessel for the United States Government, called a “ commerce destroyer,” and said to be the in the world. She is named Columbia, and eba was sant on her preliminary trial on Nov. 14 over the Government course. Under forced draught she developed a speed of S 2-87 knots per hour, and under natural draught 20*2 knots. It is thought she will easily make 23 knots, and earn a premium for her builder of close on 400,000d01. Mon signor Satalli. Papal delegate to the United States, has been directed by his Holiness to remain in America till bis mission is completely accomplished. Ic waa reported that Monsignor Satalli had boon ordered to return to Rome and receive a cardinalate. The Fithian Bill for the free admission to the American registry of ships built in foreign countries has been favourably reported to the House. Its provisionu will take effect in January next, and any bull purchased in accordance with it shall not be used or allowed to engage in the coastwise trade of the United Status.

The British Ambassador at Washington has entered into negotiations with Mr Gresham for the settlement oc the claims of the Biidah eealera seized in Behring Sea previous to the modus vivendi of 1891, It iu said that the amount of indemnity claimed by the Canadian Government will not exceed 500,000d01. Madame Adelina Patti was taken seriously ill in Hew York on Hov. 12, and was too unwell to sing at the music hall concert. Bor indisposition resulted from a cold and sea sickness contracted on board the steamship Leucania on her voyage to the United States. It is thought her American tour will have to be abandoned, or at least postponed. The condition of tho Presbyterian Church in the United States is alarming the great Church Council, held at Cloveland on Hov. 7, to decide upon the policy of the future. Rigid conservatism on one hand, and latitudiaarianism on the other threaten tho integrity of that sect. It ie reported that President Peisoto, of Brazil, has offered to purchase the old steamship Zealandia from the Sprecles firm. She is lying in San Francisco Harbour. The Chicago World’s Fair medals will not be ready for delivery before next summer. Exhibitors complain of the delay. Overland railways are in trouble. The United States Government intends to commence foreclosure proceedings against the Union Pacific, and the Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company of New York brought a suit at St Paul, Minneapolis, on Nov. 14, for the foreclosure of mortgages of three sets of bonds on the Northern Pacific aggregating C3,000.000d01, and asked for the appointment of receivers. Three highwaymen boarded the train on which the celebrated Montana silver statue was being conveyed from Chicago Pair, while it was passing through Montezuma swamp. New York, and attempted to force .open the car where the figure lay, in or<ier to gat possession of it. Being baffled they sprang off and fled through the morass. It is questioned if they could have moved the mass of metal had they obtained access to it. Sealing claims to tho amount of a million dollars havo been filed with Collector Milne, at Victoria 4 British Columbia, and forwarded to Ottawa, for.

compensation for exclusion from Behring Sea during tho process of arbitration.