BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 1107, 21 February 1891, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Late Cablegrams. Lord Salisbury, replying to Lord Dunraven, said the Government had 110 definite proposals to submit to the colonies relative to the creation of an Imperial war fund. The country would not submit to a discriminating system in favour of the colonies and against the rest of the world. A conference would be inexpedient, unless salutary and practicable proposals were ready for discussiou. It is reported that the young Kin# Alexander of Servia is suffering from a dangerous malady. It is expected that the elections will give the Canadian Government a majority of 40. The Opposition have virtually abandoned their reciprocity proposals, and now rely on a Protection tariff and loyalty to England. A portion of the shipment of butter, ex s.s. Ruapehu, from New Zealand, has been sold at 965. to 188s (sic) per cwt. The woolmarhet is buoyant. Crossbreds are scarce, and the price remains very firm, while heavier merinos are recovering. At the sale of sheepskins there was a good demand, and at id- advance on the last series. Signor Rudini, the new Italian Premier, intends to effect economy in the public service to the amount of 40,000,000 lire (about £1,600,000). President Harrison has received a deputation from Indian tribes who were concerned in the recent rising of Indians. They declared that women and children were shot down by the troops after the flag of truce had been hoisted, and children were butchered after assurances were given by officers commanding troops that their lives would be spared. It is reported from Valparaiso that the towns ol Pisagua and and Iquique have been bombarded by the insurgents, and that they are now in flames. The blockade at Valparaiso has been raised. In an engagement between the Government troops and the insur* gents at Tarapaka, the former were defeated. In connection with the Newfoundland fisheries a motion ,vas carried in the House of Assembly protesting against Great Britain hesitating to ratify the reciprocity treaty entered into between Newfoundland and the United States. R.M.S. Monowai, which left San Francisco for Auckland on the 7th inst., with the English mails, has returned, having broken her propeller. Baron Oscar Dickson, an influential Gothenberg merchant, expresses surprise that Australia has not provided £SOOO in aid of the Antarctic expedition, and states that he himself will be responsible for another £IO,OOO. Baron Nordenskjold has definitely agreed to take command of the expedition. It is reported that on the expiry of Lord Charles Scott's command as Admiral of the Australian station he will be succeeded by Admiral Steveuson in H.M.S. Blake, of 22 guns, with Prince George of Wales as commander. The New Zealand Government have announced the conversion of the remaining stocks on which a high rate of interest is being paid into 3J per cents, to be carried 011 pari passu with the existing loans. The conversions areL49l.ooo 6 per cents., redeemable in 1891 ; L 64,500 5 per cents., redeemable in 1593 ; and L 313,000 of the old provincial loans, redeemable between 1593 and 1896. By a boiler explosion in a worsted factory at Quebec 30 persons were killed. The Reichstag has passed a measure prohibiting work on Sunday. The Legislature of Newfoundland has passed a resolution that the inertness of Great Britain with regard to the fisheries dispute gives evidence of an utter disregard of the well-being of the colony which is calculated to disturb its loyalty. In the House of Commons Mr. Morley's motion censuring the executive for its action at Tipperarv was defeated by 320 to 245. While the clerk of the Bank of Scotland was collecting a cheque at the National Provincial Bank ol England a thief stole his satchel containing £12,000 ; in notes and escaped. The German Emperor has expressed his approval of Prince Bismarck's attitude towards the Government, which will only damage his prestige. Bismarck disclaims being the author of a text in the press on Russian policy. Sir Charles Dilbe delivered a lecture at Brussels on the condition of labour in Australia. One result, he said, of the recent strike was that workmen were taking an active interest in politics. Hostility to the Chinese would compel Great Britain to renounce her treaty obligations: and in his opinion it would be better to entirely exclude the Chinese. The man who was arrested in connection with the recent Whitechapel murder is a fireman named Saddler, who admits having had a dispute with the murdered woman, whose name is Frances Coles. The | evidence strongly points to him as the actual murderer in this instance, but there is nothing to iudiI cate that he is " .lack the Ripper."