NEWS BY THE MAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9064, 26 May 1888, Page 6

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The R.M.s. Zealandia, arrived in p O rb yesterday from San Francisco, which was left on May 5. The London mails are dated April 21. From our newspaper files and correspondence we extract the following items of news:— THE QUEEN IN BERLIN.

The Berlin newspapers almost unanimously welcomed the Queen. She arrived in the German capital on ApVil 24, and in deference to her wishes no official reception was given at Charlottenberg. The papers expressed regret for the mournful occasion of her visit. Prince Bismarck's expressed desire—that a worthy reception bo given the Queen—had an effect upon the entire Press of the Empiro, and an agreeable change of tone was noticeable in articles on the subject. It was generally understood that the Queen came solely to see her Imperial eon-in-law before he dies, and to give her daughter the support of her sympathies. Political prophets had predicted that the Queen's presence in Berlin would be marked by sullen sympathy on the part of the Press. The meeting between the Queen and the Emperor was particularly touching. He roso early and went to the salon to meet her. As she entered, ho rose and bowed gravely, but made no attempt to speak. The Queen was deeply affected by the mute welcome. The Emperor withdrew to his apartments after a brief interval. On the 25th tho Queen gave an audience of an hour to Prince Bismarck. In the evening a state dinner was given, at which the Empress, the Queen, Bismarck, and Sir Morel Mackenzie were present. Tho German Chancellor is reported as being well satistied with the present state of affairs. There was no better confirmation of this report than his presence at the dinner party after his long interview with the Queen. It is believed all differences wore settled at this interview. During her visit the Queen spent much time with the Empress Dowager, Augusta, visiting points of interest in Berlin. Her Majesty left Berlin for London on the afternoon of April 26. Before her departure from Charlottenberg, she held a farewell interview with the Emperor, at which she was much affected and shed tears; but the Emperor, whose improvement is marked, assured her that he was growing better. He hoped he would soon be able to drive out, and bade his mother-in-law an affectionate farewell. By the advico of his physicians, he retained a recumbent position most of the time; but his spirits are good, his appetite increasing, his sense of taste has returned, and he is able to partake of his favourite lishes. It is believed the crisis in his disease is passed. On the morning of the day of departure, the Queen visited the mausoleum, and spent some time in prayer at tho tomb of the Emperor William. The Crown Prince conducted the Queen to her carriage. She repeatedly expressed her gratification at the friendly welcome given her by the people of Berlin. The Queen arrived at Husling, Holland, at eight o'clock on the morning of April 27. and embarked on tho Royal vacht for England. On the same afternoon she reached Sheerness, and proceeded at once to Windsor Castle. THE DEFENCES OF GREAT BRITAIN. Tho Duke of Cambridge was examined before a Select Committee of Parliament on April 24. He said that 11,000 additional men were required to place_ the army on a solid footing. He thought it was impossible to reduce the military estimates, because, with army volunteers, it was necessary to make tho service attractive. In viermany this was not necessary, because military service Wcos compulsory. An article was" published by General Hamlcy on April 27th, concerning the defencelessness of London. He considers that city in a most perilous condition, and says an enemy landing in Kent would be only four days from the metropolis. General Hamley proposes that the London volunteers be organised as a force trained to act as guards of tho city, and be increased by 2.5,000 riflemen and a certain number of artillerymen. THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

A long discussion took place in the Lords on the evening of April "2Uth on the Earl of Dunravcn's Bill to reform that body. The main features of the Bill are that peers of creation shall he entitled to seats in the Lords by election, and that they may resign their seats to become eligible for the Commons. Provision is also made for tho admission of colonial, Catholic, Dissenting, and scientific representatives. Lord Salisbury objected to tho Bill as an abandonment of the farm rock of experience for a plunge into the unknown. The Government was willing to consider the admission of life peers and other needful" reforms, for which it would introduce a sepa-' rate Bill. Lord Dunraven therefore withdrew his measure. THE SCOTCH CROFTERS.

In the House of Commons on the evening of Mav 1, McDonald, Lord Advocate of Scotland, stated that the Government proposed to advance £100) to promote the emigration of crofters to Canada, in addition to the sum raised by private subscription. Each crofter's family will receive £120, to be repaid the Government in twelve yearly instalments, free land to be given the crofters by the Canadian Government. Gavin Clarke moved that the House adjourn in order to consider the question of the imminent danger to law and order in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, resulting from the collapse of the Crofters' Act. After a vigorous debate, in which the Irish and Scotch members took part, Clark's motion to adjourn was negatived by 20f> to 99. POISONING BY WHOLESALE.

The correspondent of the London Times writes (according to a despatch May 1) particulars from Rio de Janeiro of the poisoniug of nearly 4000 Brazilian natives, 3000 Quagamie natives in one place, and of 800 in another, by poisoners employed by the authorities of Parana, in which the province of Parapaneme is situated, or Sao Paulo where Sao Jose, Dos Campas Movos and Leneoes are placed. The means used in the first place was strychnine, and in the second case, in default of strychnine, chlorate of mercury. The same persons were about to poison a settlement of 5000 inhabitants, but the particular poison intended for use is not mentioned. The story is denied, but the correspondent fears it has a basis of truth. THE PANAMA CANAL.

Canal shares went ballooning on the Paris Bourse, April 23, and De Lessens' friends were jubilant. Speculators bought freely, driving the Quotation up to ;{1 francs. On the 22nd the Committee of Initiative of the Chamber of Deputies, to which the lottery loan proposal was referred, dismissed its reporter, hired a new one, and ordered him to make a report in favour of the De Lessens' Bill. On the 23rd M. Maret tabled the favourable report in the Chamber. The report advised that the Canal Company be authorised to raise 350,000,000 francs on the lottery plan, with the Government's approval. The Bill passed the Chamber on April 28. MISCELLANEOUS. The British gunboat Falcon left Gibraltar for Cape Juby on April 23, in consequence of an attack by a body of the Sultan of Morocco's troops upon the North African Company's depot at that place. The Moors killed the manager of the depot, and wounded others. The leading German explorers, including Dr. Junker, are convinced that Stanley is now with Emin Bey. The revolt of the Roumanian peasants had been finally suppressed. Enormous quantities of grain were distributed among the starving people. A desperate conflict took place on April 29 at the Mosque of Dumantrour, near Alexandria, Egypt. A number of escaped prisoners had taken refuge in the mosque, and refused to surrender to the police, who had surrounded the building, in the fight that followed, fifteen convicts were killed and two wounded. The police lost four men killed and wounded. On April 30, at the menagerie in Prague, where a crowd of 1500 persons had. assembled, a pickpocket raised the cry of " Fire !" which causecf a stampede. During the frantic efforts of the crowd to escape six persons were trampled to death and many injured. The Sultan of Morocco still hesitates to submit to arbitration the dispute between his Government and the United States regarding the imprisonment at Ilabit of persons under American protection. In fact, according to last advices, he is inclined to assert his views in a forcible way. The Prince of Naples, and several officers were injured on May Ist by the premature explosion of a torpedo they were examining at Koine. No lives were lost, but some oi the wounded may die of their injuries. The commander of H.M. gunboat Falcon reports (May 1) that Myers, manager of the British-African Company at Cape Juby, attempted to photograph a Moorish camp of seven soldiers, and that while he was adjust- *«? the camera the soldiers brained him.

Advices received at the Foreign Office London, indicate a possible Greek rising ii Macedonia, said to be fomented by Russia. Julian Metz, one of the accomplices of Dr. Castleton in defrauding insurance companies, has been convicted in Vienna, and sentenced to four years' imprisonment at hard labour. In the Island of Crete unprovoked murders are so frequent that the Governor, being unable to control the people, resigned on May Ist. ' The Holland Parliament assembled at the Hague on May 1. Tlie Prime Minister announced that a Royal Commission would be appointed to consider the question of national defences. The finances of the country are in

a favourable condition ; Government were examining the feasibility of increasing its import duties. Another revolutionary proclamation, couched in exceptionally violent language was circulated in Bulgaria on May 2nd' Major Popeoff, convicted of embezzling funds belonging to the Bulgarian War Office, was on the 2nd instant, sentenced to four years' penal servitude, and deprived of his rank in the army. M. Bouoff and the other prisoners were sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying in length. Queen Christina of Spain is about to make a tour or her kingdom. News had been received at Zanzibar from Emm Boy, dated November last. He had sent parties to look for Stanley, but was unable to hear anything of him. Coquelhi, the great actor of the Comedie Frangais, left Paris for his tour of North and South America on May 3. The directors of the theatre have refused to reinstate him on his return.

Mount Etna is in a state of eruption, but not violent.

A dynamite disaster occurred in the tunnel at Messina, Italy, on May 4, by which a large number of workmen were killed and a great many injured. Lady Mikenocho Macleay, a relative of the Now Giunoa explorer of tho same name, was murdered at St. Petersburg on May 4 for plunder. The murderers carried off 15,000 roubles.

The war feeling between Greece and Turkey has blown over. Both Powers have countermanded the recall of their Ambassadors. ■