The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1898.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11538, 26 March 1898, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1898.

China has conceded leases of Port Arthur and Talienwan to Eussia, which the London Times describes as equivalent to cession.

Only a quarter of the English portion of the Chinese loan was subscribed by the public. The balance will be provided by the underwriters.

Eussia is sending fifty thousand of her Army Eeserve to East Asia, and applying thirty million roubles to strengthening her navy. Great Britain has agreed to guarantee, jointly with Eussia and France, the interest on the Greek loan.

Lord Salisbury’s health has sufficiently improved to allow him to leave England for the Continent to-day. Heavy floods have occurred in the United States, by which thousands of people have been rendered homeless, and great damage has been occasioned.

A message from London states that the “ All Eed” Cable Committee has adjourned, pending replies being received from the colonies in reference to the Cape route. The Spanish flotilla which recently sailed for the Canaries for orders has been instructed to proceed to Cuba. The American newspapers denounce the fresh provocation to war given by the movement of the Spanish fleet. An anti-Semitic outbreak has occurred at Algiers. It is reported that Mr James Payn, the novelist, is dying. The P. and 0. steamer China, homeward bound from Australia, is ashore at the entrance to the Eed Sea.

Mr Gladstone is suffering from weakness of the heart, which renders an operation unsafe. Commenting on the tour of Stoddart’s team in Australia, the Times says that the Englishmen were continually outplayed in all branches.

It is said that France offers explanations and regrets for the advance of her forces to Sokoto in West Africa. The advance is now admitted.

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has, by two hundred and seven votes to seven, censured' Signor Crispi, the ex-Premier, for irregularities in connection with the Bank of Naples scandals. Mr John Morley says that Home Eule all round is impracticable, though strictly subordinate legislatures* with increased devolution of local affairs, may be granted to Scotland and Wales, if the Irish persist in their demand.

The Dervishes are concentrating upon Umdebra Mahmud's forces, comprising two thousand cavalry and eight, thousand rifles, with seven cannon. The remainder consists of swordsmen and spearmen. The chances of war between Spain and the United States are said to be increasing. It is reported that 425,000 Cubans have died of starvation and that 200,000 are in a dying condition from destitution. President M’Kinley, who is showing signs of overwork, will send a message on the Cuban question to Congress on Monday. A riot, arising chiefly from differences connected with alluvial mining, occurred at Kalgoorlie, West Australia, on Thursday, during the visit of the Premier, Sir John Forrest. Sir John was hustled, bruised, and struck during the disturbance, and the Warden read the Eiot Act.

A despatch from China states that Li Hung Chang induced the Tsung Li Yamen to grant the extraordinary concessions to Eussia.

There are twenty British warships at Chefoo, a treaty port of China. In a speech ho delivered at Balclutha last night the Premier said he had no intention of committing the country to a borrowing policy. He announced that the surplus for the financial year would be .£400,000, and that he was fully determined to pass the Old Age Pensions Bill.