CONTINENTAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1190, 21 December 1894, Page 34

CONTINENTAL.

Paris, December 12

Figaro says that the Pope, desiring their advice on the proposed union of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, will probably summon Cardinal Moran (of Sydney, New South Wales) and Cardinal Gibbons (of Baltimore, United States of America) to Rome to confer with Cardinal Vaughan on the subject. Paris, December 16. The Prench marines have occupied Tamatave, the Hovas fleeing after three shells had been fired from the warships. Paris, December 17. It is reported that the Malagasys will accept the Prench conditions, being convinced of the futility of resistance. Paris, December 17. France has secured the hinterland behind Dahomey by means of a treaty with King Borgou. \ King Humbert, in the course of a conversation with M. Zola, the Prench author*, declared that none of the Powers in Europe desire war, and Italy least of all. Sofia, December 18. M. Stoiloff has resigned the Premiership of Bulgaria, being unable to satisfy the Russophile Party. St. Petersburg, December 13. The Russian newspapers advocate that Armenia should be placed under tire separate protection of the Great Powers. The Russian loan of 15£ millions was over-subscribed. The greater portion of the money came from Prance. The Bourse Gazette, published in St. Petersburg, estimates that the Russian loan was subscribed tenfold.

After unsuccessful attempts by various parties extending over a period of twenty years, a band of Russians have safely navigated the Oxus River, in Central Asia, and reached Paizabad, on the Afghan frontier. Berlin, December 13. Another sensation has been caused in the Reichstag by the conduct of the Socialists. Herr Liebknecht, the leader of the SocialDemocrats, made a violent attack on the Kaiser in the Reichstag, boldly inveighed against his policy, and condemned him for hypocrisy. The speech caused another scene. The Reichstag has refused the application to prosecute the Socialists for refusing to cheer the Kaiser.

Berlin, December 16

Prince Hohenlohe, the German Chancellor, is ill through worry and harassment.

During the discussion in the Reichstag on the motion to prosecute the Socialists, he remained seated in his chair, with his head bowed down, and sometimes fell asleep.

Madrid, December 15

Despite the opposition of the Government, a motion has been carried in the Cortes reducing the import duty on wool.

[Rather more than half a century ago Spain was a great exporter of wool, and Spain stocked the world with merino sheep. Now she cannot grow wool enough for her own consumption.]