LATE CABLE NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1199, 22 February 1895, Page 20

LATE CABLE NEWS.

London, February 19

I A large portion of the mutton by the Kaikoura proves to be in a damaged conI dition. The thaw has begun, and the frost is breaking up. The number of unemployed in Great Britain is estimated at a quarter of a mil- ' lion. ' The prevalent distress has been unequalled for many years. Berlin, February 18. A deputation from an agrarian league representing 200,000 farmers had an interview with the Kaiser regarding the condition of the agricultural industry. He gave them a cordial reply, and expressed, deep concern at the state of distress they unfolded to him. The Council of State, he said, was planning remedies which he praj ed God might be beneficial to the people. Thirty-four of the Echuca's cattle were landed, in good condition. Owing to injuries received in trucking three died off the coast of Australia, and it was found necessary to kill two others which became cramped from cold during" the voyage. The rest improved in weight, and condition. The Cairo correspondent of the Times telegraphs that a Paris journalist is openly promising the armed support of France to Egypt. The Khedive, however, discussing his reported intention to dismiss Nubar Pasha, is said to have stated, adds the correspondent, that he would not countenance any mystery, and that he was vvorking loyally with England. Shanghai, February 19. An American named Howie, previously arrested at Kobe, in Japan, has been recaptured at Wei-hai-wei, and detained in custody. I Ottawa, February 18.

The Canadian Government is actively •urging the construction of the Pacific cable, fearing that if the United States constructs its cable the Dominion will be excluded altogether, as the Eastern Extension Cable Company is willing, with an Imperial subsidy, to connect New Zealand and Fiji,,and then the only vacant link will be from Hawaii to Fiji. Sydney, February 19. Mr Cook, Postmaster-General, considers the probability of an American company laying a cable from San Francisco to Honolulu is likely" to seriously complicate the Pacific cable proposals. He says that if Congress should give authority to the company, difficulties will probably be raised by the American Government as to Hawaii granting a concession to the Pacific cable. The San Francisco cable would also take nearly all the local business, on which the outer line would partly rely for its commercial success. Washington, February 18. A committee of the Senate has reported in favour of issuing 3 per cent, bonds with a currency of two years. Senator Sherman said the President's contract was faulty. It was a hard bargain, but it would not ruin America. In the Senate Mr Woolcott inveighed in heated terms against the conduct of the President, asserting that he lied when he professed a desire to maintain the integrity of party. The contract with the Rothschilds was, he declared, the blackest ever made, and would permit that firm to reap gigantic profits.