SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6501, 13 December 1882, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

EGYPTIAN AFFAIRS.

The Paris Figaro publishes a dispatch of November 14th from Cairo, which affirms that the Governments of England and France have entered into a definite agreement in regard lo the control of the finances of Egypt. It says France has accepted the offer of England that the presidency of the Public Department Commission bo given to France as compensation for doing away with the system of control of the Suez Canal. The other questions relating to organising the finances of Egypt will be treated by these two Governments in concert with the other Great Powers ,>f Europe. Suliemau Pasha has confessed before tho prosecuting committee to have given the order to tire Alexandria, after having received a peremptory command from Arabi Pasha. As the conflagration did not at first appear to bo •general, Arabi sent orders through Mahmoud to fire more places. Sulieman also stated that Arabi Pasha ordered him on 12th July to take soldiers to Ramlch Palace. and murder the Khedive. While on thfi road to execute the order ha met the President of the Chamber of Notables, who prevailed on him to return and remonstrate with Arabi. Mouri Bey,- tho officer who had charge of the troops at Ramleh Palace, corroborated Sulieman's state|nejjts. A later dispatch from. Cairo, of November 17th, says this evidence is generally discredited. Sulieman Pasha denies all knowledge of that portion which.ralates to himself.. In the House of Commons on November 14th Mr Gladstone made a speech on Egyptian affairs, which is to the eiFect that Government thought it necessary to have 12,000 British -troops to remain in Egypt, but not for any great length of time. It was proposed to enter into a convention with Egypt, and have an article in the treaty providing that the cost of maintaining these troops should not fall on Egypt, but on England; that when matters were further advanced the question of charges could be raisedand settled definitely. He hoped to be able to give such information as would enable Parliament to fully discuss .the subject when the Estimates were presented. Ho also hoped soon to be in a position to give information regarding the cost of the expedition. Sir S. Northeote expressed his dissatisfaction at the meagre character of the speech. On tho lGtli Mr Gladstone said it was tho intention of Government to propose a grant of money to the naval and military forces who served in tho Egyptian campaign. He also said no difference would be made between the trial of Arabi Pasha and that of other prisoners. Lord Dufferin is credited with making rapid progress in acquainting himself with the Egyptian troubles, but there will bo little progress in the direction of a formal admission of tin"land's policy until Arabi's trial is over. Arabi's recent letter to Tho Times has attracted attention by its independent courage and audacity. Mr Gladstone questioned its authenticity* in tho House, whereupon Tho Tinies maintained it strongly.

In England the return of the troops appears, from tho accounts in the Home papers, to have given rise to an extraordinary scene of enthusiasm, and to many amusing incidents. The reception accorded to tho-Guards in London was thrilling, and such as will long be remembered by those who witnessed it. The followiag account of the arrival of the 2nd Life guards at Windsor, conveys a very good idea of the scenes at that place when the heroes of the Egyptian war reached home: — "This was a family greeting. Every soul that cared to come was permitted entrance. The women far exceeded the men in numbers. It was now their; turn. They clung^ to the- stimiDS of scores of returned soldiers. They held un children to be kissed, and .one big fellow (ho did not seem so lean or tired now) took his boy of some four years old upon hia saddle, and only relinquished him when discipline once more required the men to fall into lino. The 50th fell in, Colonel Ewart at their head, facing the green sward where the officers played cricket matches in the summer, and in front of the officers' quarters ; .and now came the last word of command : ' Second Life Guards, return swords,' and then, with one clank, every sword was thrust home into its scabbard. It was over. The things tho men had boon sent out to do had been done. Tho sword 'had been drawn; now it was returned. Colonel X wart's voice resounded through the barrack squar<v«id then the people, impressed by the solemnity of that instant, sent up a shout that might have been hoard at Eton bridge. There was a semblance of discipline! before, but it was all over as the troops Mod into the stables. Now could be seen the contrast between the men who had been to the wav and the men who remained at Home—the former so thin and patched, the latter so beefy and woll-favonred. But there was no jealousy, not a bit of it. The soldiers deprived of glory pulled their companions out of their saddles. There was such a hanl-shaking as never was seen. Many men dismounted beforethey were properly allowed to do so ; but what did it matter to-day ? ' Never mind your horse, old chappie; there are plenty of men to look after it,' said some faithful friend to a married man who wanted to kiss his wife and children, which he promptly did. Then followed such a series of cr.-iss-qiieitious and crooked answers that would puzzle a mere outsider to decipher. The men were modest to a fault. ' How many of tho beggars did you kill, old boy?'—'Oh, nevermind,' waa the answer; 'it's all over now.' They did not want any allusion mnde to the horrors of war. A curtain had fallen between the past and present, and there was no need to pull it up. Of course the ladies now monopolised the attention of the heroes of tho hour. They had waited long, and their . turn had come. Each dismounted soldier was surrounded by a dozen of the fair sex, who plied him steadily with questions, which he answered more or less incoherently, in a nervous, shameliko fashion. . One of these soldiers, a young, good-looking fellow, who had borne the brunt of the fight and privations as well as any, had been overwhelmed with the loquacity of his innumerable fair companions. One of the girls offered an apology : ' But we ought not to keep you any longer, poor fellow; you must want your dinner.'—'Dinner, my dear!' he grinned ; ' I have not eaten anything for three months.' As ho looked at her he added, ' I do not seem to feel the want of it now.' The most rigid advocates of temperance will surely excuse the pewter pot which was passed round, and was filled again and again to the health of the men come home. War, while it adds to friendship, does away with jealousy. There was no undue elation of 'ours' as the only corijs who did anything, nor was 'our colonel' the only man in the hunt. ' We must not forget Baker, Kussell, and Drury Lowe, sir,' said one trooper ; ' they are splendid soldiers, and fit to lead any men anywhere.' " Next day the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by their three daughters, went down to Windsor and inspected the detachments. The Prince wore the uniform of his regiment,

IRISH AFFAIRS.

Mr Gladstone, in the course of the debate on November Bth, in his speech in opposition to Sir Stafford Northcote's amendment for the rejection of the closure rules, said ho had been prevented dealing with load self-government for Ireland, about which he was more profoundly anxious than any subject he could name.—Reports are rife of negotiations between Government and the Irish leaders on the question of Home Rule.. The Dublin l'reoinan'ri Journal calls the' Premier's position a change of front. "It is impossible " (it says) " to exaggerate tliesignificivncc of thin utterance; Mr Gladstone would not dare to use the words he did unless there was some meaning behind theiri. The proposal that England will recognise Home Rule is admitted, and brought out clearly into the domain of practical politics by Mr Gladstone in his speech." The Irish Times, commenting on the subject, says Mr Gladstone has made a remarkable new bid for the Irish vote.

The Dublin Freeman's Journal of tho 9th contained an article protesting against the freedom of the city of Dublin being conferred on General Wolseley on his return. It asserts that the general 'when'about to start for Egypt declared the only alloy to his pleasure over tho prospects of his expedition was the fear that the Irish might take advantage of his absence to rise, and lie would not be there to suppress then). During the discussion on the Coercion Bill, two. journals say that General Wolseley expressed the hope that if the Irish should revolt he might be sent to Ireland to suppress them, and teach them what war meant.

Mr Childers, Secretary of War, rose in his place in the.House of Commons on the 9th to give these statements an unqualified.'denial. Tho'General waa refused the freedom of the city,'however. At tho second mooting on the subject of the Corporation of Dublin, held on the'lOth, the votes stood 27 to 20. Auamendment against presenting it was made to the original resolution by Mr T. D. Sullivan, J[.P. The discussion was illustrated by several lively scenes. On the 14th tho Freeman's Journal -formally apologised for its accusation against Wolscley. It stated the General had written a letter declaring it his earnest desire to see Ireland loyal,1 peaceable, and prosperous.

THE FRENCH ANARCHISTS,

In' Paris, revolutionary manifestoes wero posted, and in Marseilles they were printed on red paper. Two hundred were posted near the Luxembourg and the Jnrdin dcs Plantes. They express the deepest hate of the bou rgcoiaie, and declare war to tho death against.them. Kxplosive materials were discovered in a coal depot and telegraph-otiice at St. Mourcan. -. Berne, November 6th.— The French Government having addressed a complaint couched in strong terms to the Federal Council against the proceedings of anarchists at Geneva, an investigation into tho matter is ordered. La Paris publishes the details of the Anarchists' conspiracy. They show it is composed of a small number of staunchsupporters in all the towns and manufacturing villages of France. The members are mostly young men, who distribute revolutionary orders. Laeh group has a distinct name. A letter signed by tho authorities recommends the groups should pretend to be trade unions. All groups in a department form.a confederation,, the samehaving a secret symbol, and these federations are a link between the groups and the Central Committee. Several persons were arrested for belonging to tho federation. The Central Committee is composed of a delegate from each of the federations. .

Lyons, October 2Gth. —Numerous arrests of Anarchists have been effected. The Bourse is strongly and constantly guarded in consequence of threats which have readied the authorities that dynamite will bs used to blow it up. The Anarchist prisoners under examination with the greatest obstinacy persisted in their refusal to answer a single question put to them. The streets continue to be deserted after dark. Some o£ the theatres are closed, and cavniry patrol the streets. If further explosions occur the city will be placed under martial law. Threatening letters abound. The archbishop and the director of the post-office have, received such missives. Tho parsons of both are carefully guarded. Last Sunday evening the police seized 40 kilogrammes of dynamite. , (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, December 12th, A correspondent of the Christian World has communicated an interesting article on ecclesiastical affairs in New Zealand. He refers particularly to the Presbyterians and Methodists, and says:—" The former Church, as your readers well know, has. acted with considerable foresight. It 3 representatives in the'early days of the Colony, when land was cheap, bought sites for churches. Thus church extension 13 now comparatively easy. The denomination bids fair to be a great power in the country.1 The correspondent says tho strength of Presbyterianisin in New Zealand is due to its unity:—"Scotchmen coming to the Colony throw their little distinctions overboard when they leave their native shores. They land here simply Presbyterians. Why the Methodists have not the sense to do the same thing I cannot comprehend. Wesleyaus, Primitive, Free Methodists, and Bible Christians are all represented in some New Zealand towns. Generally, where one denomination builds, one or more of the others speedily follow. Three of these bodies are subsidised from England. I could point to towns in New Zealand with a population of from 1000 to 4000 with two resident Methodist preachers of different names. I say different names, for it is impossible in tho nature of things to differ in much beside. In the city of Dunedin there are within half a mile four Methodist congregations. Only one of •these (the Wesleyan) is self-supporting. The other three are all weak and struggling. The congregations in all three do not numter.mora than 300. Any one is within 15 minutes' walk.of the other, and two are within five minutes'walk. The footpaths are asphalt, so that there is no difficulty as to roads. These three competing Methodist congregations, which would make one congregation small enough if gathered under one roof, are all subsidised from England."

The Herald's London correspondent, in a letter dated November 2nd, says of the frozen meat trade •.—"You are aware the frozen meat ex Matatira has been sold to less advantage than the cargo brought by the Dunedin a feiv months before. The continued depression of the market, the competition of the Australian mutton, and the absence of certain exceptional circumstances which favoured the Dnnedin, will account to some extent for this ; but there was another cause which unquestionably created a prejudice against tho splendid meat from Now Zealand. It was the excessive fatness of a considerable proportion of the consignment. The Australian Meat Depot Company of Melbourne have lately been sending Home several cargoes of uniform excellence. The meat, however, is admittedly inferior to that from New Zealand, so that your shippers should take pains to maintain the favourable impression they have created. The puny frames of merino sheep received from Sydney by the Chimborazo have disgusted the trade, who contemptuously describes them as 'rabbits,' and even the carcasses of much larger crossbreds from Melbourne, though excellent quality, arc not considered up to tin: standard reached by the best New Zealand mutton. The Imperial authorities have just intimated that Australian frozen meat may be offered by contractors tendering for the winter commissariat stores for the Home military stations. It is scarcely likely that any Australian meat will be tendered this time, as the intermittent character of the supply upsets the calculations of contractors. I was in Smithfield when the first carcasses were offered, and was delighted to hear the admiration which their appearance excited among the trade. Salesmen not at all interested in the disposal of the shipment were as ready with their praise as the others who were. The sales opened at Gkl per lb, but this capital price fell almost immediately, when a, lot of excessively fat ewes, fit only for boiling down, wore placed oji tiio market. ' This meat could only sell for from 4£d to 5d per lb, and the huge quarters ofbeef sant Home as a trial shipment realised even less, for even hunger could not tolerate t-ix inches of fat. The Australian Company (Limited) withdrew the meat for a few days, just to teach the salesmen a lesson. These tactics appeared to produce some effect, as subsequently the balance of the cargo obtained higher prices. The average has been 5d to nid per lb, or considerably below that for the Duuodin shipment."