NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 175, 6 March 1896, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

THE BRITISH NAVY. London, March 4.

In his naval proposals Mr Goschen declares that fourteen million sterling is required f>r naval works ; £850,000 for ordnau '■ ; two and a half million for dock-; ;r; 1 various naval stations. Dockyard v.ages had been increased by £294,000 iu order to hasten the building of warships. The new programme proposed is to build five battleships on the improved Renown type, four first-class cruisers, three second-class cruisers, and six of third-class ; also twenty-eight torpedo destroyers.

There were now in course of construction eight battleships, twentyone cruisers, and forty torpedo destroyers, all of which would be completed by July, 1899. The cost would be £7,385,000. The estimates for the year, he said, had increased by £3,131,000. ITALY AND ABYSSINIA. Rome, March 4. News has been received that the Shoans mustered in great force and repulsed the attack of General Barratieri, compelling his three columns to retire. Barratieri, learning that Baldissera had been appointed to the supreme command of the Italian forces in Abyssinia, attacked the Shoans on Sunday, hoping to secure a victory, and thus vindicate his reputation. General Albertone’s brigade was surrounded, and General Arumondes, failing to cover his retreat, ultimately the entire army retreated on Belesa, 50 miles from Adowa. The Italians lost GO cannons and all munitions of war. Generals Albertone, Dabormida and Armionde are missing, and believed to be killed. Generals Baratieri and Ellena are wounded. The Cabinet has decided to summon 80,000 of the reserves and also collect transports at Naples by Saturday and be despatched almost immediately. PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE. Sydney, March 4. The Premiers’ Conference has opened. Press representatives are not admitted. New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania are represented. Mr Reid presided. The Conference generally discussed the proposed Japanese treaty, federal defence, and the question of lighthouses. Resolutions on these questions will be submitted for adoption at to-morrow’s sitting. During the day a wire was received from the Australasian Labor Federation, sitting at Brisbane, asking the Conference to take action in totally excluding colored races from Australia, and to reject that portion of the Japanese treaty giving the Japanese the right to reside in the colonies.

London, March 3. The British statement of the case has been sent b} mail to the Venezuela Commission. Paris, March 3. President Faure is on a visit to Lyons. Four anarchists were arrested with daggers in their possession, and are suspected of an attempt on his life. Rome, March 3. The Shoahs of Central Adowa are raiding the Shire district for food. The King bade farewell to the Italian reinforcements for Africa amid a scene of much enthusiasm. Berlin, March 3. The German press is incensed at the provoking tone of Mr Goschen’s naval statement as outlined by The Times. Madrid, March 4. The Spanish Government has apologised for the stoning of the American Consulate at Barcelona, and offered to make reparation. New York, March 2. The alleged Cuban filibustering vessel which was captured at Bermudas, has been released. St. Petersburg, March 4. It is reported that Marshall Yamagata will propose an alliance between Russia and Japan for dual control of Corea. Sydney, March 4. Speaking on the subject of federation at Manly, Edmund Barton said New Zealand had treated the matter in easy coldness from the start, and until she found it would be to her interests to join, the best thing for her was to remain out. Federation could do without New Zealand, but could also do with her.