Mail News.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7325, 27 September 1898, Page 3

Mail News.

(PER STEAMER AT AUCKLAND.) San Fkancisco, September 7. English papers confidently declare that an alliance between Great Britain and Germany has already been signed. It is I said that as a quid pro quo for Germany's support in Egypt Great Britain will recognise Germany's claim to utilise Syria as an outlet for her surplus population. Ambassador Hay is about to return to Washington. It is believed that he will spend the last days of his stay in England in preparation for a ratification of the Anglo-American arbitration treaty immediately upon his return home. A treaty of arbitration will, it is believed, be hastened by the Czar's peace proclamation. Despite the enormous expenditure for war the income of the Treasury Department has increased to such an extent as will wichin six months provide a very large surplus unless Congress provides for extraordinary expenses. The president has the difficult task of quieting public clamor against certain members of the official household, notably the Secretary of War, Mr Alger, whose inefficiency is painfully evident, and whose honesty has been called in question by the Press and people. The battles in the late war cost comparatively few lives. Mismanagement of the camp and hospital reaped a rich harvest of death. Hundreds of sons of wealthy prominent families are alleged to have starved in the camps and transports, while bringing them weak and exhausted from battlefields in Cuba. General Mile?, Commander-in-Chief gave utterance in Puerto Rico to such bitter criticisms of Senator Alger as earned him a court-martial, but according to popular belief the Secretary of War dared not open the question. At Havana posters were circulated exhorting the soldiers to refuse to return to Spain unless paid in full. Many have not been paid for 15 months. Spain made a proposal to admit, at Havana, free of duty, a million rations for starving people, provided the Spanish officials distributed the same, or to allow the Americans to distribute them if duty were paid. The Administration decided not to allow the Spaniards to handle supplies, and is considering the paying of the duty. General Garcia has been removed from tbe command by the Cuban Junta for insubordination to General Shafter. Although Havana has not yet been evacuated by the Spaniards, the Cubans have named their civil authorities and issued a proclamation as follows :—" The war has ended in the independence of Cuba. Qnr revolution is past. The victory gained in the heroic straggle would be lost if we did not proclaim as fundamental principles of our nationality harmony and fraternity among the Cubans. Let us proceed together towards a reconstruction of our beloved Cuba." England has a new and interesting crop of heroes as the result of the Nile campaign, the capture of Omdurman, and the death blow to Mahdiism. The AngloEstyptian army were camped over night atTAgalsa, eight miles from Omdurman. At dawn the Dervishes advanced in battle array, chanting and waving countless banners. Their ranks stretched oyer the plains several miles. The bravery of the Dervishes was astounding. They withdrew behind a ridge in front of the camp and hurled themselves, 15,000 strong, against the Soudanese, Before he could drive off the attack General Kitchener seized a rocky eminence, swung in bis reserves, and in 10 minutes had the flower of the Khalifa's army caught in a depression and under a cross-fire. The Dervishes planted their standards and died beside them. The dense masses melted away till the last remnants broke and fled, and were driven to the desert, their retreat to Omdurman being cut off. The 21st- Lancers, caught in an ambush, faced 2000 swordß. Though outnumbered four to one, they returned to the charge, and recovered their wonnded, who were being savagely slaughtered. France is on fire with excitement over the Dreyfus case. The French Cabinet has decided on a revision of tbe case. Several officers have announced their intention of resigning, in order to be free to testify at the trial. One prominent officer has gone so far as to predict that war will follow the revelation of the machinations of another Government, necessarily German. The tide of public opinion has turned at last. The old exile In Switzerland and M. Clemanceau, under a cloud at home, are no longer the only defenders of the unhappy Dreyfus.