CONTINENTAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1188, 7 December 1894, Page 34

CONTINENTAL.

Paris, November 28. M. Hanotaux, Foreign Minister, stated in the Chamber of Deputies that Canada hesitated over the Tariff Convention, and only assented to it because it desired that the first foreign treaty might be with France. The statement was received with cheers. The Chamber has ratified the FrenchCanadian Tariff Convention. The Soleil says the Madagascar expedition will be France’s last colonial war. The nation, the papers says, will not seek further extension, as its territory is vast enough already. The French War Office has formally declared that there are one hundred political spies in Paris, and demands their arrest. The press declares that the German Embassy is the chief centre from which they emanate. Paris, November 29. During the course of a trial at Toulouse, the evidence showed that a high political official sanctioned a wholesale system of electoral forgeries. Ex-Minister M. Constans is implicated. The Ilovas offer France the control of their foreign relations, France to develop such public works as the Hovas may judge necessary. They claim the right to import munitions of war, to have all disputes settled by a mixed Court, and a delimitation of the disputed territory round Diego Suarez. M. Hanotaux, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has called at the German Embassy and expressed his regret for the attacks in the press on the Embassy regarding the encouragement of spies. Count Munster said he was not at all satisfied with the position, and complained very strongly of the way he had been treated. • Reports are current here that ths Grand Duke George, brother of the Czar, who has been seriously ill for some time, is dead. The rumour, however, is not yet confirmed. Paris, November 30. The Paris police are conducting a crusade against the blackmailing section of the press. They have arrested M. Gerard, manager of the Nineteenth Century. t Paris, December 1. France has 84 warships in course of construction, including 12 ironclads and 24 cruisers, two of the latter being of the Corsair type. hi' v: It is intended to spend three and a quarter millions sterling in further building next year. —:rV; : St. Petersburg, November 28. The Jewish money-lenders are assisting the Russian loan in the" belief that the Czar will treat their compatriots with more kindliness than former rulers have done. St. Petersburg, November 29. The Armenians residing in the Caucasus, stirred up by the horrible details of the massacre at Bitlis, are ' sending arms and men to assist the rebellion against Turkey. , St. Petersburg, November 29. A Nihilist manifesto has been issued with the words “ Down with autocracy. Czar Nicholas declares that he will make Russia happy. Order him to make her free.” St. Petersburg, November 30. The Czar proposes to introduce a system of elementary education into Russia. St. Petersburg, December 3. The Czar intends to issue an order expelling German workmen from Russia, as a concession to the demands of Russian tradesmen. Rome, November 30. The Pope has invited Cardinal Vaughan to visit Rome to discuss the possibility of a union between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. He proposes to call a Conference of Cardinals to discuss the matter. Brussels, December 3. A forcite factory in the city has been wrecked by an explosion, and 22 persons killed or injured. v