CONTINENTAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1156, 27 April 1894, Page 34

CONTINENTAL.

St. Petersburg, April 17. The Czar was requested by tho countries forming the Triple Alliance to convene a congress to consider the advisability of general disarmament throughout Europe, but he refused to entertain the suggestion. St. Petersburg, April 18. It is reported that the Czar refused to agree to the disarmament proposals of the Triple Alliance unless Germany and Franco first abandoned their quarrel. St. Petersburg, April ;-w. Two hundred arrests have been mado in Poland in connection with tho commemoration of the Warsaw revolution. Paris, April 17. It has been decided to hold an International Wiuo Exhibition at Bordeaux next year, and it is hoped that the Australian colonics will send samples of their wines to bo placed among the exhibits. Paris, April 18. Ei;;ht candidates havo been nominated for the Presidency of the French Republic. They include M. Sadi-Carnot (now President), M. Casiinir-Perier (Premier), M. Dupuy (President of the Chamber of Deputies), M. Challemel-Lacour (President of the Senate), and M. Melin. Paris, April 18. The Frexich police have seized forged bank notes to the value of a quarter of a million francs. Paris, April 23. M. Bouchard, Chairman of tho Coinuiifetee of Enquiry into the state of the French

navy, says that none of tho torpedoes in uso aro of a practical type, and tho greatest confusion prevails in the administration of tho Naval Department. Count Tallarand Porigord has been arrested in the city on the charge of forging bills for two million francs. Tho City of Paris loan of 200,000,000 francs at 2k per cent, has been subscribed 85 times.

Some sensation has been caused by the President issuing a decree forbidding oflicials in Diplomatic Service to marry without obtaining the assent of the authorities.

Tho Premier states that this Step is rendered necessary on account of Gorman Jewesses married to diplomatists disclosing French secrets.

The ceremony of beatification of Joan of Arc was celebrated in the Church of Notre Dame yesterday. The Archbishop of Paris blessed tho banner of tho heroine preserved in the sacred edifice.

Paris, April 21.

Negotiations between tho French and Belgian Governments to delimit the Congo frontier have failed.

Berlin, April 18.

Tho Vossische Zeitung strongly urges Germany to permit tho Australian Colonies to appoint a Governor of Samoa. Berlin, April 18.

Some sensation has been caused by tho discovery of an Anarchist plot to take the life of tho Emperor of Germany during tho festivities in connoction with tho approaching Royal wedding. The police authorities in Coburg havo taken minute precautions to ensure tho saff ty of His Imperial Majesty. Berlin, April 10. The Reichstag has rejected the principal clause in tho Tobacco Taxation Bill.

Berlin, April 20.

Tho marriage of tho Grand Duko of Hesse and the Princess Victoria of Coburg

took place yesterday, the ceremony being of a most brilliant character. Queen Victoria, who was present, was affected to tears. The city was crowded for the wedding. The Kaiser, tho Prince of Wales and the Czarewitch were received by the people with great enthusiasm. Brussels, April 18. Madame Jonsaux, a lady well known in high society in Antwerp, has been arrested on a charge of poisoning her uncle, brother and sister, in order to obtain tho amount of their life insurance policies, which represented a sum of c£6ooo. Tho victims died by slow poisoning. Brussels, April 20. Tho brother of the woman Jonsaux insured his life for 100,000 francs, and died suddenly two days afterwards at his sister's house. Brussels, April 22. It is reported that Madame Jounaux, who is in custody on a charge of poisoning her uncle, brother and sister, has confessed. Brussels, April 23. A bomb was found in a theatre at Liege. The fuse had burned down to within an inch of the charge when a fireman extinguised it. Rome, April 19. General Goggio, an officer in the 1 talian A rmy, havo been arrested at Monaco on suspicion of being a spy. A number of incriminating documents were found in his possession. Athens, April 22. Earthquakes have occurred in various parts of Greece, resulting in serious loss of life. Many villages have been completely destroyed. Numbers of the villagers are camping in the field's, and a -warship has been de-

spatched to Attantia to relievo tho disres3. Athens, April 22. Immense damage has been done hero and in tho surrounding districts by the earthquakes. The earth tremors continue, and groat alarm is felt. It is believed that 200 poisons have boon buried alive in tho country districts. Tho King has decided to visit tho various districts which have suffered. Athens, April 23. Thebes is ruined through the earthquakes. Athens, April 23. Tho death-roll of tho earthquakes has increased to 302. Tho loss of life was specially large in'tho monasteries. It is reported that whole families woro engulphcd while attending church. A pier in a Byzantiuo church at Daphne was shattered, and its fall wrecked the whole building.