THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7648, 23 August 1886, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

(Peb United Pjiess Association.)

Auckland, August 22.

The Alameda, from San Francisco, arrived at 8 a.m. She left San Francisco on August 1The passage v/as uneventful. She was delayed off the coast by a gale and dirty weather. Passengers: For Auckland—Miss Bandiiekl, Miss Netheneste, Mr and Mrs Smith and family (3), Messrs Gill and G. E. Alerton. Among the through passengers are Dean O'Keefe and Mr Black, actuary of the Australian Mutual Provident Society. Among the cargo for New Zealand are 4LJO cases of salmoii aud 300 eases of dried fruits.

The Alameda sails for Sydney at daylight tomorrow morning. The Hiuemoa sailed at 11 in the forenoon with the Southern mails.

GENERAL SUMMARY.

Circulars are. being distributed in Wales demanding Home Kuie, free education, the abolition oi landlordism, and disestablishment of the church.

A cablegram of July 30 from London says the scnsalion iv the new Cabinet is the appointment of Mr Henry Matthews as Home Secretary. It was made at the request of the Queen, who was charmed by his .vindication iv the Crawford trial of the sanctities of married life. He is entirely au experiment, is without Government experience, aud is a Itoman Catholic aud autieoeiciouist.

The Alpine climber Pauline yon Soulkar was dashed to pieces on July 29th.

John Buskin is reported to be insane. The victorious Cora Pearl died in l'aris poor aud iv distress.

The Prince of Wales' sons are charged with plagiarism iv the "Cruise of the Bachante." I'ho passage which begins "We should be less thau uitsu," aud ends " but sad memories of their useless valour," is said to be taken almost word for word from Chas. Kingsley's "At Last," where it will be found iii the second chapter. An attempt on the part of the authorities of Amsterdam to prohibit a popular game called " eel-killing " on Sunday, led to a conflict with the police on July 28. The rioterers erected barricades, aud the police filed into the crowd, killing 20 persons aud wounding 80. Twentyeight airests were made.

A convention between England and China has been signed at Pekin, by the terms of which China agrees to the occupation of Burmah by the English and promises to encourage trade between China and Burmah. A commission is being formed to delimitate the Burmese frontiur.

Despatches of the 25th say that Lord Salisbury was cordially received by the Queen at Osborne. On his return from Osborne Lord Salisbury was cheered all along the route by immense crowds. At London he declined to speak anything.

The claim of the parents of Eliza Armstrong, who figured so conspicuously in the Pall" Mall Gazette exposure, is for £9000 damages against Mr Stead, the editor, its publishers, and General Booth, of the Salvation Army, for libel on the girl's parents aud-for assaulting the child. The Sultan of Soumalt has expelled the members of the German East African Society from his dominions.

A bey who arrived who arrived at Cairo from the Soudan on July 20 reported that Khartoum had been razed by the rebels. In his opinion a force marching to re-establish the Khedive's authority would now meet with welcome rather than resistance.

The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher has been adversely criticised by the London papers. His lectures were but poorly attended. The admission fee being too high is said to be the cause in part.

JMichael Davitt has written to Mr Ford, editor of the New York Irish World, taking him to task for admiring a policy of paltry obstruction on the part of Home Rule members. He says the true policy for Home Rulers is to advocate the reforms required by the workers of Great Britain while advocating justice to Ireland. Catherine Lewis, sister of Jeffrey Lewis arid a pretty opera comique singer known in Australia, has secured a divorce from her husband, Oscar Alfredson.

The London World says Mr Gladstone is going on a yachting excursion as soon as released from official work. After the preliminary debate he will not be seen again in the House of Commons for several months. He proposes to start-for Rome early in November and' to remain there until after Easter.

Excitement has been caused in political circles by Russia's occupation of Port Lazareff, Corea.

The Paris Figaro of July 26 publishes a sensational article giving details of a meditated coup d'etat by General Boulanger,

AMERICAN ITEMS.

The United States Commissioner, George H. Bates, left on July 31 for Samoa to discuss with the English, French, and German Commissioners the neutral position of the islands.

A cable is proposed to connect Japan, Now Zealand, and.AustraJia with Canada. Commissioner Fleming left for England on July 14 to confer with the Imperial Government on the •abject. ' •

Maxwell, the murderer, is sentenced to be hanged on August 27.

The St. John's (Newfoundland) Colonist of Juiy 28 ccntradicts the sensational reports of destitution in that colony, and says there have been no deaths from, starvation. The same paper denounces Weddel, who is in Canada seeking assistance, as an impostor.

Despatches from Ottawa state that the Government has no official knowledge of the reported woeful condition of things in Labrador, and believe the reports to be without foundation |

The mining region of Menow Lake, California, known to be rich in ores, the working of which was impracticable on account of their rebellious nature, has suddenly come to the front again on account of the difficulties being overcome. A syndicate of English capitalists is erecting mills, costing 15,000d01.

William John Hurst, a prominent citizen of Auckland and a member of the colonial Parliament, fell into the hands of the Press interviewers after his arrival in 'Frisco. He gave rather a sad-coloured view of affairs in New Zealand. He said that the colony was suffering from depression; that taxes were excessive and growing heavier every year, but hoped that news would be better when the Opposition ousted the present Ministry. He attributed the depression to the fact that for very many year's the people of the colony have been living on one another and on the country.

IRISH TROUBLES.

Two thousand persons attended an Orange soiree given in Dublin, in the Rotunda, on July 12th. The hall was guarded by the police, Thousands of Nationalists surrounded the building, and many placards were posted with inscriptions "We will pay you Orange dogs in, Irish coin the one long debt which Ireland owes all braggarts of theßoyne." At Armagh Major. Saunders presided over a gathering of 2000 enthusiastic Orangemen. A procession, the route of which was lined by 600 police and soldiers, took place afterwards, and business was suspended. An Orange lodge in Codlistin, a small village in County Tyrone, four miles from Dungannon, was attacked on the night of the 13th by a number of men belonging to the National League. The attacking party were armed with. rifles and kept up a fire for two hours on the lodge, the police being powerless to interfere. ....

Armed moonlighters on the same night attacked and took possession of two houses in Freernount and Kenturk, County of Cork, where they entered and severely beat the inmates.

There was a tremendous riot in Belfast, also on the night of the 13th, between the Catholics and Protestants, during which four taverns and a number of dwelling houses were wrecked. The police and soldiers charged the rioters several times, and at last succeeded in clearing the streets. Among those wounded was a sergeant. His injuries are said to be mortal. A constable and several civilians were severely hurt. The fighting was done between the police and Orangemen, the latter assailing the officers because they prevented the Orangemen from attacking the Catholics. A policeman named Garton is among those who died from the injuries. Two civilians—M'Dutton and M'llray— were shot dead, and 15 persons were sent to tho hospital. The wreckage caused by rioting resembled the effects of a tornado. Men, women, and children, who were struck down bruised and bleeding, still raised cries of defiance and threats of revenge. The Protestants were beaten by sheer number, and many of their houses were afterwards raided. Twenty-three prisoners while on their way to the police station sang " Rule Britannia,:' and cursed Paruell and Sextan. On the morning of the 14th the head constable at Waterford forced private soldiers to attempt to arrest two Orangemen — father and son. During the struggle that ensued, both Orangemen were killed. The streets of Waterford were patrolled by police and cavalry.

A Nationalist meeting at Stewartstown on the same evening was attacked by a mob and the Riot Act read. Several of the police were injured. .

The Government have declined to institute an inquiry into the conduct of the police on the occasion of the recent election in Londonderry. The Viceroy's order summoning the inhabitants of Londonderry to deliver up their arms and ammunition before July 25 has been discharged. The United Ireland of July 29 says the truce with the landlords is shattered, and the Irish people having not the least intention to estrange English masses, it would be impossible to produce a more eloquent example of the policy of ramming English rule down Irish throats than is afforded by the appointment as Irish Viceroy of the Marquis of Londonderry, inheriting as he does the blood and name of "cut-throat Castlereagh." The Freeman's Journal says the appointment is ominous of coercion, and Irishmen must be prepared for this. The Loyalist Press of Ireland is delighted over the appointment of the Marquis oF Londonderry.

THE CRAWFORD-DILKE CASE.

Tho rehearing in the Divorce Court of the case Crawford v. Crawford and Dilke opened by the Queen's proctor, was begun in July. The court was crammed with notables, including many well-known ladies. Sir Charles Dilke and Mrs Crawford and her sister were present. Counsel for Queen's [proctor in opening tbe oase asserted that the servants mentionii by Sirs Crawford in her cqnfessipa $

being present or witnessing her. 'meetings with Sir Charles "at his house or elsewhere did not confirm Mrs Crawford's statements in any particular. Sarah, a maid, who Mrs Crawford said dressed her in Sir Charles' apartmeuts, after his departure from thero.deuied the story. Counso said the French woman, Fanny, who Mrs Crawford confessed brought her into intimate relations with Sir Charles Dilke, had disappeared, but Sir C. Dilke himself would testify and show he was not with Mrs Crawford on the date sho nlleges he was in company with her. Sir Charles' coachman would show ho never stayed long at Mrs Crawford's house waiting for his master to terminato his visits to Mrs Crawford. The coachman would further testify he would have seen if anything wrong had been done in the room when Mrs Crawford had received Sir Charles in his own house, as the coachman from his box could easily see over the whole area of the room. Sir Charles Dilko, on being sworn, denied totally all the allegations concerning him made _by Mrs Crawford. Ho declared her confession an act of deliberate conspiracy due to his having advised Mrs Crawford through a friend to abandon an intrigue sho then had had with Captain Foster. Captain Foster challenged witness, but ho declined it as ridiculous. Sir Charles was visibly affected while testifying. In walking to the witness-box ho almost staggered, but soon recovered, and his replies to questions were made with clearness aud precision. Ho replied to the question " Did you make love to Virgina Crawford?" with "No; certainly not." Mrs Crawford and Sir Charles frequently exchanged glances. The former smiled amusedly when Sir Charles denied that a liaison existed belwoen them. A^lespatch from London of July 17 says that Mrs Crawford recently mado a statement to the Queen's proctor, the exact nature of which is not known, but it is expected she will bs called upon to substantiate it, and somo news facts perhaps of a startling nature may be elicited. It is the general opinion that Sir Charles makes a bad witness, failing to answer questions asked till absolutely forced, and showing a general disposition to debate and quibble. One of Mr Matthews' questions which caused a flutter was, " Were you ever a lover of Virginia's mothor?" The reply came, " I have been asked previously a somewhat peculiar question, and I must decline to answer." This response, created a sensation. During his evidence Sir Charles e'echuvd he had never kissed Virginia Crawford or made love or paid any court to her, and had never been improperly or unduly familiar with her. In fact ho was only on terms of ordinary acquaintanceship with her. "My reasons for appealing to the Quoen's proctor," he continued, "arose from the comments of the newspapers." A sensation was caused in court on the 19th by an expert in writing. Letters,admittedly written by Mrs Crawford, and signed " Virginia," were found to be: on comparison with anonymous letters warning Crawford against "the member for Chelsea," similar in handwriting. In court on tho 20th, Sir Charles Dilke was cheerful, almost frisky; Donald Crawford was sullen and' heavy-eyed. Mrs Crawford was cool aud collected, breaking the tedium of technical evidence by a series of little yawns and twirling of the handkerchief, at the same time she consulted a miniature diary, and occasionally whisperedto Mr Lewis, and chatted similingly with her sisters. The evidence of the st rvauts tended to show that Sir C. Dilke had ordered the housemaids to be on the staircase as seldom as possible, because he disliked to see them Ehert the coachman said (he,1 frequently drove Sir C. Dilko to the house in Young street, the visits usually lasting a quarter of an hour. Onco he saw Sir C. Dilko and a lady through the window. They were only sitting and talking. Three secretaries testified that they never saw lady visitors at Sir C. Dilke's house. Madame Dissoulavy, a nativo of Neuchal, was a difficult witness. She did not remember whether she was married in 1873 or 1877. She had kept a cigar store in Montpelix place, but had forgotten whether it was in 1873 or 1863 that she had kept it. She had lot lodgings, but was not able to give the names of anybody who had ever, stayed there overnight. Sir Charles Dilke, she said, called only once a year. She never saw Virginia Crawford. Sho had engaged, " Fanny "as a servant. Witness said she was formerly in Sir Charles Dilke's service and was now pensioned

Mrs Robertson deposed that Captain Foster had called at her house and told Virginia Crawford that he was ordered to Egypt, and Mrs Crawford wept. Witness also said Mrs Crawford had once told her that she (Mrs Crawford) had on two occasions slept in Sir Charles Dilke's house. Witness besought Mrs Crawford to rupture her relations with Sir Charles Dilke.

Some more evidence was decidedy the most circumstantial yet given. Mrs Crawford testified she confessed that she disliked her husband because he was too old, and that she loved Foster because he was handsome and pleasiDg, and that she was intimate with Sir Charles Dilke for the purpose of obtaining a divorce from her hated husband. She spared Captain Foster as far as possible, because she knew he was about to marry. Under a strict cross-examination, she confessed she had been intimate only with Sir C. Dilko and Captain Foster, exculpating two other society men. A remarkable feature was the manner in which Mrs Crawford answered questions, showing that she was naturally an abandoned woman who rather gloried in her shame. Mrs Crawford spoke in a soft plmuing tone, damaging Sir O. Dilko wititmtexculpatlng herself. The evidence given produced adeepimpressiou, and its directness and clearness and circumstantial minuteness convinced all of its truth. Sir C. Dilke's refusal to deny a liaisonmth Mrs Crawford's mother is attributed to the open nature of the scandal rendering denial impossible. The conduct of Mrs Crawford and her two sisters in court was marked with unseemly levity, such as laughing and talking together.

Mrs Crawford resumed her testimony on the 21st. She asserted she believed it was Mrs Rogerson who wrote the anonymous letters accusing Witness of infidelity with Captain Foster, and her object was to screen Sir Chas. Dilke. Mrs Ashton Dilke, sister of Mrs Crawfortlj and sister-in-law of Sir Charles, testified that he (Sir Charles) after Mrs Crawford had made her confession, suggested a quiet separation, between her and her husband, and offered to contribute, to Mrs Crawford's income. Under cross-examination Captain Foster entered the court room and was seen by her, when she became less confident in her manner, and her replies were often made in a stammering way and afterlong pauses.

On the 22nd Captain Foster appeared as a witness. He admitted he had been guilty of criminal liberty with Mrs Crawford. ' He once quarrelled with Sir Charles, and called him a liar, scoundrel and coward, because he had secretly attempted to sever the relations between Mrs Crawford and witness. He also attempted to thrash Sir Charles, but desisted at Mrs Rogerson's entreaty. Mrs Rogerson was here recalled. She denied the statements just made by Captain Foster.

Mr Matthews then addressed the jury on behalf of the petitioner, Mr Crawford, whom he described as " the only one who emerged clear from amidst this plentiful throwing of foulest mud." He ridiculed Sir Charlef Dilke's reason for remaining silent during the progress of tha trial. Mr Matthews did not mince matters. He described things in true vernacular with such power and intensity that Sir Charles became livid with rage, and twice jumped to his feet and essayed to speak, but the judge prevented him from doing so. Mr Matthews continuing referred with intense scorn to " Frenchified Sloan street orgies," and said no man who was ,not so bestialised as to be lost to all shame would act as Sir Charles had done in them. !' Where," said the lawyer, " is Fanny, accused of sharing the orgies, while this young married woman who was betrayed aud degraded into them is being held up to infamy before the whole English-speaking world. Fanny has vanished; she dared not appear before this jury." Commenting upon the apparent present lack of sensibility manifested by Mrs Crawford, Mr Matthews said doubtless the last spark of shame and respect in Mrs Crawford expired after the visits she made to Sir Charles Dilke's house.

Sir Walter Philmoro, on behalf of the Queen's proctor, followed Mr Mathews. Sir Walter contended that unless Donald Campbell proved his wife committed infidelity with Sir Charles, he was not entitled to a decree of divorce from her in the' present action. Mr Crawford_ might obtain a divorce, but would have to obtain it by bringing another actionjin which Captain Foster was co-respondent. No single witness had sworn to either seeing Mrs Crawford go into or leave Sir Charles' house, which was always crowded with officials and friends. Only gentlemanly feeling had restrained Sir Charles j from going upon the stand and testifying during ."; the previous trial. There was a dark btain upon j his lifejand he was unwilling to submit himself { to the process of examination which would be : directed towards making an exposure concern- ■ ing Eustace Smith and Mrs Crawford's mother. j The absence of Fanny, Sir Walter argued, could .'; be similarly accounted for. She doubtless had a < dark stain upon her life, and it was enough to .-! keep her out of the witness-box. Concerning ', Mrs Crawford, Sir Walter said the evidence * showed she had been badly reared. She was a ;'■ most bflld, abandoned woman. .; After Captain* Foster had given'his evidence, ', j Sir Charles said to him, "We will meet next ,i week in Paris." " Whenever you please," Capi tain Foster replied calmly. ■\ The case was given to the jury on the 23rd. Justice Hannen's summing up was pronounced by lawyers to be a model of clearness, correct- . riess, and impartiality from beginning to end. ' The charge was decidedly against Sir Charles ■: Dilke. The judge alluded to the absence from the testimony -of a confirmation of the essential •'• portion of Sir C. Dilke's story as certainly to be remarked, while Mrs Crawford was able to de- .. scribe accurately the bedroom in Sir Charles' 3- house, although he had sworn he had never ' taken her into the house. this, the evidence given by those who had testified to respondent's visit to the house in Warren street ■ was unshaken. If the jury believed these witnesses, the whole value of Sir Charles , Dilke's testimony was destroyed. In reference t to the long interval which elapsed between the I first and second acts of adultery, the justice tthought Mi s Crawford's explanation sufficient

thought Mis Crawford's explanation sufficient I when she Si id Sir Charles was not well during I this period. !Mr Cray. I ;rd stayed throughout the judge's I charge with his elbows resting on the table and j his face bin ie 1 in his hands. Sir Charles sat I all the tim<, -iis eyes fixed on the judge's face, } occasionally nodding in agreement to a judicial 'remark. .After the verdict was rendered, Sir | Charles lorksd the picture of misery. Captain '.Foster sat n :ar him, evidently gloating over his /'rival's dejeclior. It was observed that Captain [Foster appear* d to be watching the door j Sir Charles woi 11 select for his exit, and it i was thought the captain meant .to follow {the baronet and assault him, The formal ver--1 diet pf the jury oontainß no menljjn of Sir

Charles Dilke by name; it simply declares " that no material facts were suppressed at tho previous trial at which tho decree of divorce was obtained." Tho people outside tho courtroom received the announcement with cheering. Sir Charles Dilko vanished immediately after tho verdict was roturned. Mr Donald Crawford, the plaintiff, when ho left tho building was cheered by tho people in tho streets. Sir Charles Dilke left town ou Saturday, presumably for tho Continent. On the same day, anticipating his removal by tho Queen from her Privy Council, ho resigned. Many clergymen, under an ingenious veil of rhetoric, made his fall tho leading topic of their sermons. Sir Chas. Dilke has ordered tho sale of his house at Chelsea. Ho refused the solicitations of his friends to remain in England and face the trouble, and intends to take up a permanent residence iv the south of Franco. Previous to his departing, he issued tho following address to tho Chelsea electors: —" As far as my public lifo goes, I have no option but to accept tho verdict, while protesting ouco more against its justice. I can only assure you, as I have already often solemnly assured you, and with equal solmnity sworn in court, that I am inuocent of tho charges brought against me, and respectfully aud gratefully bid you farewell.

THE NEW EXTRADITION TREATY.

Tho extradition treaty between the United States and Great Britain, signed at London on June 25, was sent to the United States Senate, on July 8, with a message from the President advising its passage To tho list of crimes subject .to extradition the now treaty adds manslaughter, burglary, embezzlement, or larceny involving SOOdol. or upwards, aud finally the main clause, destruction of property which endangers the lifo of others, which in either country is made a crime. Tho treaty specially exempts from extradition persons who have been convicted of political offences. Mr Howard Vincent has written to tho American press, quoting from his reports, iv order to prove tho urgent necessity of an oxtradition treaty with the United States directed entirely against Fenians and dynamiters. He concluded by saying that the whole civilised world is watching the United States Senate.

CANADA.

The anniversar ,• of the Battle of the Boyne was celebrated on July 12 by the Orangemen of Canada on a much larger scale than usual. At Bairie, Bobeaygeou, Stanley, Peterborough, Belleville, Kingston, Ottawa, and Halifax there were large gatherings, processions, and meetings, at which addresses were made. At tho Kingston meeting a resolution was passed deploring tho perturbed state in which tho Home Rule agitation has left tho Empiro and

denouueing Mr Gladstone's measure as one which must bring about the dissolution of Great Britain, but at the same time favouring any measure which would create and give power to local councils or assemblies iv England, Ireland, aud Scotland' to deal with local measures. At Peterborough on tho 11th a Homo Rule banner was pelted with rotten eggs.

A TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT.

The|Prince of Wales gavo a [garden party at Marlborougo House on Saturday the 24th, to which he invited the French Princes now in exile. The following day notices appeared iv all the Orleanist papers in Paris to the effect that he had given a magnificent entertainment iv honour of the Comte de Paris, and that the Queen had come to town from Windsor for tho purpose of meeting the Pretender at Marlborough House. The Prince was furious, and the matter created the worst possible impression at Paris, were at first it was looked upon as a direct insult to tho Government. Matters were slightly improved by au official communication in tho London Times indignantly denying the Orleanist dispatches. The Comte de Paris gavo orders for the statement to be contradicted in France.

GERMANY IN AFRICA.

Dispatches from Berlin of July 28 say that Herr Schwartz has been compelled to terminate his explorationsin the Cameron country owing to the hostile natives. Ho has, however, concluded treaties with several chiefs giving Germany authority to establish a protectorate over that part of the country governed by them. Herr Fischer, the African explorer, reports that ho reached Ranga, north of Pagauia, with the remnant of his expedition, after a journey of extreme hardship lasting 32 days. The members of the expedition suffered from hunger; and of 230 natives who went with the party, 57 died from disease or wounds received in battle. Herr Fischer has secured valuablo botanic specimens. He proceeded to Zanzibar.

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

Private despatches received in London on July 21 tend to confirm the threatened occupation by the Russians of Port Lazareff. Russia has long had a coaling station there, for which she paid a yearly bounty to the Corean Government. Russia and China recently made mutual concessions regarding the Manchuria frontier, and it is believed China will quickly acquiesce in the Russian occupation of Port Lazareff in revenge for England's refusal to acknowledge China's suzerainty over Burmah. In the event of war between Russia and England Port Lazareff places Russia in a more advantageous position for both offensive and defensive opera?.', tions than during the recent Russo-Afghan "cnsis. —jrne occupation- or-ronr-iiamiiton Dy England at that time was a serious blow to Russian operations. In military circles the matter is regarded as of serious importance. The London Standard had an alarmist article on the 21st concerning the Afghan question, in which Russia was hotly denounced.

A London despatch of the 23rd says that Russia is getting colder, and now demands the cession of Ezeroum, which would give her the key of the whole country. Military preparations by both Russia and Turkey are going forward.