HOME AND FOREIGN

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4646, 26 April 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

HOME AND FOREIGN

THE SERVIAN REVOLUTIONARIES

A revolutionary attempt was made at Shabatz, says a Belgrade telegram, by a certain Rado Alavantics, a follower and rolativo of Rrinco Karageorgevic.s, thfi protondor to tho Servian throne. Alavantics arrived at that v/ **-h a few rnon in bis pay from Austrian Mitrovitza, his place of residence, 'rearing tho uniform of a Servian general, which ho had assumed on tho way, and called upon tho frontier guards to follow him. Tho latter, suspecting nothing wrong, accompanied tho supposed general to tho town hall. On arriving there, Alavantics ordered the firemen to join him, and then proceeded with them to tho gendarmery barracks, whore be called out tho gendarmes and paraded them. Two of tho gendarmes had meanwhile escaped through a window, and wero ablo to apprise ihoir commander. Captain Nikolics, of what had occurred. That officer went at once to tho barracks and called upon Alavantics to show a warrant for his conduct. Tho latter replied by a revolver shot, which slightly wounded Captain Nikolics, who then himself fired, killing Alavantics, whoso followers were afterwards arrested.

AN AMERICAN ADVENTURER,

William Baldwin was brought before Sheriff Eifo in Glasgow on a charge of fraud. The indictment sot forth that tho accused had pretended to various persons in Hclcnsborough, Perth, and Dundee that ho was Professor Baldwin, tho balloonist; that ho was touring round tho world on a bicycle and traveliling as agont for Hudson’s soap; that ho had come 'from Now York, and was to publish, a hook containing a description of his lifo and tour, or get it inserted in tho “Strand Magazine” or other London magazine, and that if the persons to whom he applied paid him a subscription ho would send them a copy of said book or magazine, and that any money over could go to Newnes’s Nows Boys’ Fund, London. Accused admitted having received from some thirty persons in tho West of Scotland subscriptions for a forthcoming publication—the usual book, as yet unwritten. Ho had got four months in Ireland for fraud; ho now got six months more.

'AFFAIRS IN CHINA

The Powers are still squabbling over the division of the Chinese indemnity. The actual amount claimed is larger than the amount mentioned in the protocol, and a proportionate all-round reduction is opposed by the British representatives, on the ground that British subjects’ claims are already at the irreducible minimum, and tbat they alone were subjected to public scrutiny. The Chinese are How showing a more resolute front in dealing with Russia’s demands. They persist in requiring that the evacuation of the throe sections of Manchuria shall bo effected in three successive periods of four mouths from the date of tho signature of the Convention, while tho Russians demand they shall be allowed three quarters. The Chinese also continue to resist the inclusion in any convention of a clause ■ prohibiting tho use of artillery in Manchuria, while some disapproval is expressed regarding tho procedure at tne recent Imperial audiences. ' There can be no possible doubt that the result of the attention shown by the Emperor and Empress, especially to foreign ladies and children, has terially increased the respect and regard shown to foreigners by Chinese, and has removed some social harriers. ■Whether tho effect will be permanent cannot bo said, but certainly never before has there been seen such friendly intercourse between foreigners and Chinese officials in Pekin and elsewhere in tho Chi-li province. A Pekin correspondent says it is reported that the German agreement for the acquisition of a mining monopoly over the greater part of Shan-tung is on the eve of settlement, and ho points out tho inconsistency of such an agreement with the policy of the “open door.” It will give Germany the virtual control of 'the mineral wealth of a province larger than England and VZales. Count Bulow, in tho course of an important speech in the Reichstag, declared that Germany’s attitude and position would not bo altered in any way by tho Anglo-Japaneso agreement, and disavowed any territorial ; aims, either in China or Corea. Apart from the protection of, missionaries, they were only concerned to preserve their trade and commercial interests. The reports that Japanese instructors were to drill the Chinese Northern Army are, it seems, incorrect, both Russia and Germany objecting to the em- ■ ployment of Japanese in that capacity.

TVf A TtRTF.D ON HIS DEATHBED.

William Bell Baldwin, the inventor, whose marriage in the Presbyterian Hospital, Now York, six weeks ago, was followed immediately by the death of Chaplain Dr. George Wall, of the hospital, who performed the ceremony, succumbed to blood poisoning the other night in the bed on which he lay when he was married. Baldwin, it may be remembered, was stricken with blood poisoning on January 1, and when it was announced that an operation would have to be performed to save his life, his sweetheart declared without hesitation that she would marry him immediately. She is now a widow.

TELAUTOGRAPH EXPERIMENTS

'A Paris telegram states that at the Central Telegraph Office experiments lasting over throe hours were conducted between Paris and Lyons for the purpose of testing Mr Ritchie’s -telautograph. The tests were completely successful, the only defect being i slight trembling in the writing of the receiver duo to stray currents. This fault, however, Mr Ritchie undertook to remedy, and when this has been done the apparatus, it is said, will bo installed I ermanontly in the French Government offices for official use, and placed' subsequently at the disposition of the public. who will then receive telegraphic messages in, the handwriting of their correspondents.

WIFE MURDER AND SUICIDE.

A terrible affair is reported from-the ytllago of Finchampstead, near Wokingham. Thomas Corclery, who had acted as gamekeeper to Mr A. F. Walter, of Barwood, for twenty years, and Ins family lived in a lonely cottage near the woods. Lately the man had been depressed, and arrangements were beino made for him to go away to recuperate. Edith Cordery, the seven-tcen-ycar-old' daughter, caino downstairs into the kitchen, and saw her father standing in a threatening attitude over her mother. Ho exclaimed. “Stop till after dinner. Mrs Corclery said that her husband had been trying

to strangle her because she had threatened to leave him. In tho afternoon of that day Edith asked her father o go for a walk. Ho declined, t she started off alone. Before she had gone far she heard tho dogs barking hirio'usly, and fearing that something vas wrong, ran back to tho house. She bund tho back door fastened, and heard a noiso from inside as of a gunslot. Thereupon sho rati to fetch her sister, who lives a little distance away. Meantime tho younger daughter, Etjcl, aged nine, who lives with her paronts, had coino homo, and looking thnugh ono of tho windows, saw her father sitting on the floor with Hood fknvng from his head. Terrified, tho child sougiit assistance, and returned to th> cottago with a man named East, who upon bursting open tho door encountered a shocking sight. Cordery’s head vas almost blown off. Near him was a doublc-harrcllod containing two spout cartridges, and in the ceiling vero two large holes. In tho front room Airs Cordery was found with her throaf cut. There seems little loubt that sho was murdered by her husband, who committed suicide.

A FRENCH REPLY TO THE DUTCH.

In tho “Sicclo” M. Louis Guetant gives a compendious review of tho gradual growth of hostilities in South Africa. Tho writer scathingly remarks that iho Dutch who are giving themselves such, humanitarian airs would, do well to remember tho treatment of tho native population in Batavia, which is absolute slavery. To tho unthinking nroBoors of other nations ho points out tho condition of tho Hovas—many of thorn Christians—in Madagascar. On tho present situation in South Africa M. Louis Guetant remarks:—Seeing that tho Boer Republics discounted tfaoir victory by taking the initiative, and that they considered that this victory was attainable by their own ; orces or with tho aid of friendly Powers, the fact now stares them in tho face that they are vanquished. Their capitals aro occupied, and their defence of tho important lines of their territory is ineffective. They aro forced virtually to renounce not only thoir minor annexations and passing advantages, but that very independence which formed the stake risked by them. There is now no chance of their obtaining an autonomy which would be incompatible with the safety and welfare of the Cape and Natal, which form an integral part of the British Empire. No Government, whether Imperialist or Liberal, could accept an alternative of/this kind without being guilty of a breach of duty nearly amounting to treason. . . . The war in South. Africa can only end in one solution. England is under a solemn engagement that her South African possessions will ho on tho same footing as other portions of her Empire beyond tho seas. Tho Boers must be content with the title of British citizens, which certainly can bo accepted with good grace, for it is the worthiest in this world. Tho rule of England will aid tho weak, will bo hotter for immigrants, and oven for tho Boers themselves.

supposed Murder and suicide,

King’s road, Wimbledon was recently tho scene of a tragedy, the circumstances leading up to which are at present unknown. It appears that for something more than a year past Mo, 70, King’s road, has been occupied by a family named Lacey, who brought with them from Fulham, where they had previously resided, a lodger who bore the name of Joseph Shepherd. It was in tho latter’s name that tho house was taken, as can he seen from the local directory, and as far as can be ascertained, Mr Lacey seems to have been seldom seen of late. One story is to the effect that he has been serving “at the front,” but there is reason to believe that he is engaged as a clerk to one of the London gas companies, and that ho left homo a few days since, not having since been seen. Tho only occupants of tho house appear to have been Mrs Gertrude Lacey and her three children, who occupied one bedroom, Joseph Shepherd, the lodger, and a girl who acted as servant. Just before eight o’clock the other morning tho servant, on descending the stairs to tho basement, met Shepherd going up. She told him that she was just going to get tho mistress’s breakfast, and making no remark, ho passed oar. A few minutes later she hoard the sound of pistol shots, and on rushing upstairs was horrified to find the body of Shepherd lying on the floor of the bedroom, whilst Mrs Lacey was stretched dead on the bed. In both rases death was the result of a bullet wound in tho temple; and by the side of Shepherd was found a five-barrelled revolver, two chambers of which had been fired. The. three children were in the same room, tho youngest sleeping in a cot by tho side of tho bed, and Mrs Lacey is said to have been sitting up in bed dressing one of them at the time tho fatal'shot was (fired.

The servant informed the neighbours. The police and a doctor were brought, hut the services of the latter were of no avail, both Shepherd and Mrs Lacey being beyond human help. Appearances point to the fact + hat Shepherd first fired at 'the woman and then at himself, in both instances with fatal effect. Mrs Lacey, who was thirty-nine years of age, appears to have been very devoted to her children. Shepherd is described as a commercial traveller in the employ of a company carrying on business near Finsbury square. CORONATION SEATS. In very early ages the charge for a scat was only a base coin of some low value—a crocard for the Coronation of Henry I.; a pollard for Stephen and Henry II.; a fuskin for Richard I. and John; and a dodkin for Henry HI, By Edward I.’s time the price had run up to half a ferling or fathing, for Fdward 11. it was a farthing, for Edward 111. a halfpenny, and thou the cost doubled to a penny by the days of Richard H. and Henry IV. When Henry V. came to the throne his subjects paid two pennies, or half a groat, to see their sovereign crowned, and then the cost stood at a whole groat for the next five Coronations. The prices were for Edward V., Mary and Elizabeth to a teston or tester—sixpence —and went up still further to a whole shilling for James I. and Charles I. People were more prodigal with their money after the Restoration, tiie seat being valued at 2s fid for the “Sacring” of the Second Charles and James. So the price went on an ascending scale—a crown for William and Mary, Anne and George I.; half a guinea for George H.; sums reaching oven to £IOO for a small room at George IH.’s Coronation; and ten guineas for a front seat in the galleries at Westminster Abbey; and now we have the fabulous prices recorded for the approaching ceremony.

MODERN BRIGANDS.

Tho penny dreadful Ls still a force in tho land. Two Durham youths, _ fired with an ambition to emulate tho heroes of that “lifcy” class of literature, borrowed without leave, of course, the sum of £23, from ono of their grandparents, and swearing fealty to each other, took their way to Newcastle in search of adventure. To resemble as much as possible tho characters whom they admired so well, tho pair bethought them of side-arms, and a fow shillings were speedily melted in providing themselves with sundry life-pre-sorvers in tho shape of pistols and revolvers. Having'travollod per steamer from tho coal port to Leith, they fell in with a London hoy whilo perambulating tho streets of Edina. The Cockney appearing to them a genuine sort, and ono eminently fitted to join their band, ho was at onco admitted into full fellowship. Like his gallant comrades ho also was provided with the necessary revolver, and ‘'adventures” in tho capital appearing scarcer than they expected, tho trio visited TVishaw, playfully endeavouring to “pot blackbirds” as they went along tho roadside. Their next place of call was Glasgow, whore lodgings wore obtained in Parliamentary road. Day after day was spent in what sacred history has aptly described as “riotous living,” it being an unbreakable regulation that any member of tho company should walk when facilities for easier inodes of travel wore at hand. With the passing of time, and with tho fact being brought homo to them that revolvers wore not of much uso in a city like Glasgow, the “band” decided to got rid of their fire-arms, and accordingly a visit was paid to a pawn-office in Globe street. Tho man behind tho counter wished to know how the revolvers had come into thoir possession, and tho answers not meeting with his approval, tho police were apprised of tho occurrence. Tho upshot was that tho trio wore apprehended by the St. Rollox police last night, and tho officer on duty, Lieutenant Simpson, hearing the story, communicated with tho Durham authorities, who telephoned back that the two first-mentioned were “wanted” in connection with the alleged depredation. /An officer from England took tho pair under his charge, whilo tho Londoner was allowed to take his departure. Thus the embryo brigands aro scattered, and the blackbirds can hop about undisturbed.

FATAL BALLOON TRIP,

Captain Bartsch von Sigsfeld, one of the most skilful and scientific German aeronauts, has met with a fearful death. Accompanied by Doctor Linke, Captain von Sigsfeld made an ascent from Berlin, intending only to make some meteorological observations. When about 2000 ft high tho balloon suddenly encountered a high gale, which hurrh’d it at a terrific pace towards the west. In five hours it reached Antwerp, a distance of close on 500 miles. Shortly after crossing the River Scheldt, U.o balloon began to sink. Dr Linke jumped out, escaping with slight injuries. Captain von Sigsfeld’s feet became entangled in the rope, and hanging head downwards he struck the ground and was dragged fifty metres. Sigsfeld belonged to the balloon department of the army, and was the inventor of the well-known “kite” signalling balloon which bears his name. It was Captain von Sigsfeld who, on March sth, 1000, made a record balloon passage from Berlin to Bayuska, in tho Carpathians, covering the distance in six hours.

X MtSS STONE’S RELEASE,

After held a prisoner by the brigands for n*qrly six months," the American missionary, Miss Stone, was released on February 23rd, along with her companion, Madaiii„ Tsilka, and the latter’s, infant, born hv captivity. The release, it appears, took plane at 3.30 a.m., under a tree some distance from the village of Strumuitza, ladies having been first of all threatened with death if they divulged the whereabouts of their captors. Mr Leishman, the United States Minister at Constantinople, has presented a Note to the Sublime Porto regarding Miss Stone’s capture, demanding the punishment of the guilty r rsons. The Porte, in its reply, repudiates all responsibility, and denies liability, advancing arguments in support of its contentions. M. Garguilo, First Dragoman of the United States Legation, says he found Miss Stone and Madame Tsilka in excellent health, and not looking as though they had spent six months with brigands. The brigands called the baby Kismotcha, or “lucky child,” saying she brought them luck. Madame Tsilka’s baby is to be christened after Miss Stone. All accounts agree that the baby is an exceedingly bright and intelligent little thing. It was dressed in garments made mit of odds and ends of the brigands’ Nothing. It was hom after a ten-hours’ ride on horseback, the mother smothering its cries, so that the brigands might not know what had happened, lest they ‘should take it away and kill it. Three days after the birth, the mother, baby ant’PMiss Stone were again on the move, and were taken elsewhere. Madame Tsilka’s training as a. hospital nurse, and her extraordinary nerve, lone saved the life of herself and her baby, there being no comforts, no attendance, nor anything needed at such a time — merely a rough shelter and a screen, which somewhat protected them from the cold. • Miss Stone has sold the story of her experiences to an American publishing firm for £2OOO and a royalty. She has also arranged to give a series of lectures, for which she will receive £7OOO. She intends to found industrial r.chools in the East with the proceeds. A Salonica telegram added ;—Although of exciting interest, the true motives of the capture, the real negotiations for the release, and the other circumstances will never bo made public. The following details regarding Miss Stone’s movements wl-.10 in captivity are derived from her earlier letters and from information betrayed by accomplices of the brigands. After capturing Miss Stone and Madame Tsilka near Bansko, on September 3rd, the brigands hastened across the lino of demarcation, and established themselves on Gultepe, in the Ellidere district of Bulgaria. When Mr Dickinson arrived at Sofia at the beginning of October ho disclosed to the authorities the whereabouts of the band, but the immediate consequence of this was that the negotiations were interrupted, and the brigands were forced to change their quarters, travelling to Kilo. On Novvember 2nd spies reported that the band was established in a cave near Duhnitza. but a snowstorm subsequently concealed their traces. Towards the end of November the brigands returned to their oid haunts in the Ellidere district, but ‘the spies were unable to obtain any information: while the brigands circulated a report that the captives were dead. All trace of the band was then lost until the actual release of the prisoners, who had always been told they were nothin Bulgaria.

LORD SALISBURY’S RETIREMENT.

It has for some months past (according to tho “St. James’s Gazette”) been an open .secret in tho innor circles of political lifo that Lord desires to take an early opportunity of placing his resignation in tho hands of the King. It has boon definitely stated that Lord Salisbury is remaining in offico now solely because of the Coronation of the King. That statement is said to be an entirely erroneous one. Lord Salisbury will resign the seals of offico at tho end of the present session of Parliament, if by that time tho war is at an end. It is the termination of hostilities in South Africa that has been fixed by the Premier as an appropriate moment at which ho can Jay aside the cares of his responsible position. Tho fact that tho Coronation is impending has not (tho same journal understands) influenced Lord Salisbury in tho slightest degree. In the event of tho continuance of tho. Boer resistance to our military operations beyond the month of Juno next, Lord Salisbury will remain at his post, and it is his present intention to retain offico until peace is restored in South Africa, whether that happy result be this year or next.

EARTHQUAKE IN RUSSIA,

Latest accounts of tho earthquake which occurred at Shemakha, in Asiatic Russia, recently, show that the disturbance practically wrecked the town and 34 surrounding villages. In all, some 2000 lives were lost, and tho survivors—numbering about 25,000 —were left without both food and shelter. Most of the killed, it seems, were Mohammedans. and women and children accounted for a large proportion of the death-roll. After tho disaster the Russian Government sent a battalion of Guards and a number of sappers, _ with 200 tents, to the relief of the survivors, and the entire population is now encamped. Among the curious features of the disturbance is the fact that near the village of Marasa, to the east of Shemakha, a volcano is in active eruption, whilo a stream called the Geonohaika has altered its course in consequence of its hod being dammed by tho displacement of earth.

A NATIVE HYPNOTIST.

According to a despatch from Algiers, hypnotism was, resorted to to obtain information from Yakoub Mohammed, the alleged instigator of tho native rising at Margueritte. The prisoner was examined by medical men, one of whom hynotised him and carried out various experiments with him, in which it was discovered he could speak French —a language of which he professed co know only a few words. The prisoner was further ascertained to be an excellent “medium” and hypnotist, and it is supposed ho used his powers to obtain an influence over his fellow-na-tives.

A FRENCH MURDER.

News from Paris states that the list of foul murders still continues, the latest being that of M. Arthur Leroy, a market gardener living near Rainey, on the outskirts of the Bondy forest. The circumstances of the crime are exceedingly mysterious. Madame Leroy, the wife of the victim, has been employed for thirty years at a gold-beat-ing factory, and leaves Rainey every day for Paris. M. Leroy was last seen going along the streets towards his house with a man and woman. His little boy, who returned from school at 6 p.m., found the house closed, and went off to a neighbour named Chambeault, who allowed him, to remain until the arrival of his mother. When Madame Leroy heard that her husband had not returned she became alarmed, and implored the son of M. Cljambeault to accompany her to her home. There, after climbing through a window, the latter found the dead body of M. Leroy, whose head had been battered in with a flat iron, which had been replaced on the hob. There were throe glasses on the table, with the remains of some food and a bottle of preserved cherries. The theory of M. Jolliot, the examining magistrate, is that the victim, who frequently lent money, had been assassinated by a debtor, and this is half confirmed by the absence of some promissory notes.

THE BALDWIN EXPEDITION. The Geographical Society at Copenhagen has been advised by Naval Captain Hovgaard that the mate Loath Mikkelsen, of the Baldwin North Pole expedition, has sent a letter from Franz Josef Land to his family, dated August 17th.' The writer states that they had had very hard "times, but mat all was well on board the America, which was to winter in Franz Josef Land. Mr Baldwin intended by means of the establishment of depots at intervals of twenty English miles to push forward with his ship as far as 83deg. N. lat. Thence a big expedition with 400 dogs was to bo set out for the North Pole. Should the Polo be reached, Mr’ Baldwin would endeavour to make for the east coast of Greenland, where a depot was established for him last summer. Mr Baldwin has arranged to send from time to time the news of his expedition by means of balloons, of which he has a supply on board. SENSATIONAL FRAUDS. Some hundreds of forged Bank of England notes for £5 have been put into circulation in England recently, and being almost perfect counterfeits, have been accepted without hesitation by bank cashiers and business establishments. Many of the notes were passed off on the bookmakers at the last Hurst Park race meeting. Some have been honestly tendered and cashed at the Army and Navy Stores and other West End establishments, including branch banks, and it was not until they reached the Bank of England that the close examination which is made of all notes revealed the absence of those secret marks which are known only to exports. It is admitted that the counterfeits—of which about three hundred have already reached the Bank of England—are the most perfect of their kind ever attempted. They are beautifully printed in lustrous black ink on a paper whose crispness, texture and watermarks resemble almost exactly the genuine article. The three points of difference are: — Absence of the secret printing marks. The paper is a shade thicker than that of a genuine note. The water-marks differ in microscopic detail. Of these the first is not discoverable by the average bolder of £5 notes, and the other two can only be noticed after the closest scrutiny. Scotland Yard is busily engaged in the task of trying'to track down the counterfeiters, but. the work is so immeasurably superior to that of nil known forgers that new hands are suspected, which greatly increases vbe difficulties of running them down.

SCENE AT A WEDDING.

Three Paris wedding guests are actively engaged in anathematising the brido and groom whose healths they recently drank, and all the rest of the party. Never (says the “Daily Telegraph” correspondent) was so mean a trick played at a marriage feast. After tho wedding all the party had driven in a procession of waggonettes to the woods of Vincennes, a popular resort for bridal junketings. A cafe was invaded, dozens of tables were secured, and the waiters of the establishment were commandeered, and a considerable clearance of the varied stock in the landlord's collar was effected. Mine host flitted about, rubbing his hands as each fresh dozen of champagne disappeared, and bottles of Chartreuse followed flagons of Benedictine on to the tables. When tho bridal pair and their friends, all except three, had had enough to drink, they drove off again, singing at the top of their voices, in tho waggonettes. The trio who had remained behind continued refreshing themselves, this time with beer. After a while they rose to go likewise. But mine host at this juncture ceased to rub his hands, and looked grave. No mention had hitherto been made of the bill, so he broached the subject. The trio expressed surprise. They _ were wedding guests, and the question of bills did not concern thorn in the least. Thereupon the landlord now quite fierce, called his waiters, and with their assistance, locked up tho three wedding guests in a parlour, announcing his intention of holding them in pawn until his account was settled. Subsequent conversation was carried on through the keyhole of the firmlyfastened door. The prisoners successively threatened, argued, and implored, tho burden of their prayers, reasonings and menaces being, “Let us out,” to all of which tho landlord replied from the other side of the door, the same word, in the same stolid voice, “Pay 1” The wedding party had decamped at four o’clock in the afternoon. At eight in tho evening the three unhappy guests were still prisoners, still refusing to pay. At last the landlord called in a policeman, whom he asked to act unofficially as arbiter in tho case. The judge decided that one of the confined trio should be allowed to go home for tho money to pay tho bill. In accordance with this decision the door _ was carefully opened and one of the prisoners emerged, the landlord and his servants watching to prevent a dash for liberty being attempted by the other two. It was midnight before ho prisoners wore finally freed and went home, wishing no sort of luck to the rest of tho bridal party, who by that time had had a gay dinner, and had b egun. the ball at another establishment.

GREAT FERE IN AMERICA.

A fire broke i out in the business section of the town of Waterbury, Connecticut, on February 2nd. A dozen blocks were soon burned, and the entire city was threatened. The fire department was unable to cope with the conflagration, and aid was asked from the neighbouring cities. A gale prevailed v.'hich carred burning material and started new fires. The Governor called.out the militia to maintain order. At half-past ten the fire was partially under control, but it broke out afresh shortly after midnight, and was still burning at one o’clock this morning. The loss is estimated at four million dollars. Two deaths are reported. The fire started in the upholstery department of a dry goods establishment, but the cause is not known. The area burned is thirty acres. At the time the fire started there was a drizzling rain, * which, with the increasing cold, turned to snow. It is stated that the fire in the Scovill House originated in the billiard room, and was the work of an incendiary. The upper portions of a number of the burned buildings were occupied in tenements. The City Hall, churches and other public buildings are being used as Temporary shelters, hundreds of the victims being homeless.

KAISER’S NEW WAR PICTURE.

“Germans to the Front” will be the name of a picture of a well-known Chinese battlefield which Professor Roechling, the well-known artist, is now painting by order of the Kaiser. The canvas depicts a remarkable episode of Admiral Seymour’s expedition to Pekin in June, 1900. The attempt to relieve the Pekin Legations having failed, 2000 European and Japanese soldiers had to beat a retreat to Tientsin under enormous difficulties. After the night march of June, 22nd the thoroughly exhausted British sailors stopped before the Hsiku Arsenal. Then Admiral Symour gave the order, “Germans to the front” to Captain von Usedom’s 500 Germans, who, amid the cheers of the British and Americans, hurried to the front. This moment the artist has chosen for his picture. It is early dawn. The horizon is illuminated by flaming Chinese villages burned by the Boxers. On the Paiho river, to the left, float some Chinese craft, aboard of which are 200 European wounded. The dark blue uniforms of British sailors, extending in a long line near the river, appear in front of the the picture, in the centre of which the tall figure of Captain Bucholz is discernible. This officer soon after died a hero’s death, being shot through the heart. The painting, a half-size sketch of which met with the Kaiser’s complete satisfaction, will when completed be placed in the Sternsaal of the Royal castle at Berlin.

A DESERT TRAGEDY.

Reports have reached Adelaide of another sad case of death from thirst in the Far North. On December 18 last a drover, named Henry Herbert Hopkins, left Loudan, near the Queensland and South Australian border, on a journey to Rankine River, accompanied by bis son. Nothing more was heard of them until about a month ago, when another drover, named Radford, reported to tho manager of Alexandra Station that ho had seen the bodies of two men, who had evidently perished from thirst. Troopers despatched in search now report that they found the bodies of Hopkins and his son about 18 miles from Austral Downs. Four dead horses were in the vicinity of the bodies, and, as one of them had its throat cut, it was apparent that the unfortunate men had endeavoured to keep themselves alive by drinking the animal’s blood. The men had been dead nearly three months. Their bodies were found on the edge of the desert, only about six miles from the nearest water.