CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1934, 19 March 1891, Page 14

CABLEGRAMS.

BBITISH AND FOREIGN. (Pee Peess Association.) London, March 10. Milan, ex-King of Servia, insists on the expulsion of Queen Natalie from the kingdom, and expresses regret that he ever endeavoured to conciliate her. Mr Parnell is issuing a manifesto to Australians. The programme of the National Federation League is Home Rule, land reform, amelioration of labourers, abolition of grand juries, and the repeal of coercion acts. Lord Carrington advocates the appointment of a Minister of Inquiry. The Trade Councils have determined to support the proposal. A blinding blizzard is raging. The temperature has gone down to zero. Many shipping disasters have occurred in the channel. A sensational abduction case is reported from Olitheroe. A returned Australian named Jackson, with the assistance of two friends, forcibly carried away Mrs Jackson while she was leaving a church. Mrs Jackson had been living apart from her husband, refusing all conjugal rights She was taken to Jackson's house at Blackburn, and it is now besieged by her friends. In the course of a paper which he read at the Colonial Institute, Major-general Sir J. Edwards said that if Great Britain loses the maritime supremacy of the world the grass may grow in the streets of London, Sydney, Melbourne, and Wellington. A fleet tied to Australian waters could not properly defend the colonies, and they ought to be able to invite the assistance of the China and Pacific squadrons. He suggested that the Australian military should co-operate with the national navy in capturing enemies on the basis of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and thought that colonists, who were good riflemen and trained to fight in the bush, would be admirably fitted for such expeditions. General Edwards believed that after Australia federates an Imperial congress ought to consider a national defence policy, which might possibly result in the federation of groups of colonies for the purpose of defence. Letters are being published by Mr W. H. Smith and Mr R. Cobb (M.P. for Rugby) respecting Mr Justice Stephen's fitness to retain his seat on the bench. Mr Smith declares that he is not in possession of Bufficient evidence to justify him in taking action. Sir Charles Dilke says that if the Liberal party are unanimous in their wish that he should stand for the Forest of Dean seat he will do so. Mr H. Vincent, M.P., at the suggestion of Sir J. Vogel, will move for the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the best means of producing closer commercial union of the component parts of the British Empire. If the Commission be appointed, Sir M. Hicks Beach will probably be chairman, and Messrs Giffen, Burns, and Maudesley be members. The Dockers' Union have been informed by counsel that the Shipping Federation are not an illegal society. It is stated-.that Prince Bismarck intends, notwithstanding the Emperor's objection, to contest the Nineteenth Division of Hanover for a seat in the Reichstag. The Spanish Government are despatching 7000 troops to Cuba to suppress the movement in favour of separation, which is being fostered from Washington, March 11. A rebel Government is being formed at Iquique, in Chili. They intend to confiscate fche property of their opponents. Prince Bismarck has consented to be nominated for the Reichstag. The remainder of the rebels near Suakin have submitted. The Duke of Cambridge advocates a vigorous policy in the Soudan. England and France have arrived at an agreement respecting the claims of the latter in Newfoundland. The terms of settlement will be published shortly. Mr M'Carthy opened the proceedings of the National Federation, the programme of which was announced this week. Dean Mahoney, of Sydney, seconded the formal xesolution establishing the federation. A majority of the Irish priests were present. Mr Sexton charged Mr Parnell with supporting the Toiips. Archbishop Walsh declared that Mr Parnell's behaviour was destructive to the Irish cause. The Prince of Wales was in the company of Sir C. Dilke and his wife to-day in Rotten Row. Ex-king Milan charges M. Garaxhanin, a prominent politician, with complicity in the strangling of two women. The latter will probably be prosecuted. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,252,000 quarters, and for the Continent 1,068,000 quarters. Wheat has advanced Is to 2s. South Australian wheat (new crop) is quoted at 42s 6d to 435. There has been a heavy snowstorm in the northern part of Kent, and the working of the telegraph and railway lines has been seriously interfered with. At Feversham, opposite the Isle of Sheppey, a train was Bnowed up all night. A lifeboat at»Lydd, on the south of Kent,, capsized during a storm, and seven of her crew were drowned. It is reported that offers have been made to underwrite the Victorian loan at 96. The Australian and New Zealand Mortgage Company have declared a dividend of 9 per cent, for the year. The Antwerp wool sales opened dull, a bad catalogue being offered. Prices showed a I decline of five to 10 centimes. Half the bales offered were withdrawn. Mrs Jackson, whose abduction caused some stir this week, has been reconciled to her husband. Speaking on General Sir J. Edwards' paper, read before the Colonial Institute, Sir W. Jervois claimed that General Edwards' scheme is identical with hii advice in 1880. Raids on Australia are improbable, especially, on a large scale. The sole land defence required are forces at the capitals and Thursday Island, which should be under federal control. He claimed i

credit for advising the doubling of the Australian naval forces in 1881. Sir C. Dilke, who also spoke on the subject, thought light cruisers would frequently attack Australia The security of coaling stations was nob yet perfect, and it would be advisable to garrison them before war broke out. Lord Brassey said much remained to be done in the way of providing garrisons for coaling stations. ColonJal troops would often be able to assist the Imperial fleet. After the Sydney Convention was over it would be desirable to hold a conference in London on the subject of defence. General Edwards, in replying, mentioned that each coaling station could be ready at six hours' notice, so far as its own resources were concerned. The Oalifornian Senate has passed a bill excluding the Chinese from that State. The American visible wheat supply is estimated at 41,500,000 bushels. New Zealand long-berried wheat averages 41s 9d; short-berried, 40s 6d. Australian wheat averages 42s 6d. Tallow : Best mutton, 265 ; do. beef, 25a. March 12. Earl Shrewsbury has forfeited the match to Lord Lonsdale to drive 20 miles against time. The general impression is that Lord Lonsdale acted insultingly towards Earl Shrewsbury. Lord Lonsdale ,'subsequently drove the distance under the same conditions a3 arranged in the match with Earl Shrewsbury in 56min, Lord Carrington, ex-Governor of New South Wales, was entertained at a banquet by the City Liberal Club last night. Replying to one of the toasts, he made reference to the Federal Convention at present sitting in Sydney, and said the federation of the Australian colonies would greatly help to consolidate the union between Australia and Great Britain. Nationalism, he thought, bad made Australia confident of her own strength, but it had not impaired in the slightest the friendship existing between Australia and England. Lord Carrington denied that the Republican party were stronger than the Loyalists, because all Loyalists showed no trace whatever of bitter and undying hatred towards the Irish people. Lord Salisbury has consented to arbitration in the Behring Sea fisheries dispute, reserving, however, the claim based on Eussia'e unrecognised ukase of 90 years ago. Earl Stanhope, Secretary for War, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said that when economy permitted it he always gave preference to the use of Home-grown meat in the army. By an explosion in Dixon's ironworks, Glasgow six men were killed. The Liberal leaders are incensed at Sir Charles Dilke's candidature for the Forest of Dean seat. Lord Chief Justice Coleridge has informed Justice Sir J. Stephen of the accusations of eccentricity brought against him, suggesting that he should call in medical advice and resign, or take a prolonged rest. Mr Jesse Collings' Small Holdings Bill has been read a second time. The Times doubts whether Australia will assist Imperial federation. The discussion at Sydney shows more agreement and less positive difference than was expected, and the prospects of working a compromise are hopeful. Sir J. P. Hennessy has given notice that it is desirable to appoint a Colonial Council of Advice, and Lord Knutsford has given similar notice with respect to India. The councils are to consist of the Agents-general, ex-Governors, and other ben of experience. James Wilson and Sons, of Bradford, have failed, with liabilities at £130,000, chiefly secured. The Standard, after highly lauding Lord Carrington's remarks, says that the Federal Convention is being watched with the keenest interest. The British, Crown, Parliament, and people will abide by the result, believing no decision will be adopted in the least militating against the maintenance of Australia an integral portion of the Empire. German firms are inquiring if wolfram (tung3tate of iron) is procurable in Australia, and offer to take a large quantity. I Sir M. Hicks-Beach, in the course of a speech, said Mr Parnell, although disowned by Mr Gladstone and Irish priests, was still the popular leader. The Government oppose the Channel Tunnel Bill. The German Keichstag rejected a proposal to admit women to the Liberal professions. The action against M. Garaschine, accused of complicity in the the murder of two women, has been commenced. Queen Natalie has been dissuaded from publishing ex-King Milan's diary. The rebel leaders in Chili have made overtures for peace. The German Keichstag has agreed to force German interests in Africa. Atlantic steamers are being built to run between New York and Milford Haven in five days. New Zealand long-berried wheat, 41s 9d, and firm. For New Zealand wheat (on the passage) sellers are asking 39s 3d, but buyers refuse to give more than 38s 9d. Mutton is unchanged. Beef : Forequarters, 3 5-8 d ; hindquarters, 4 3-Bd. Hemp : Wellington, fair quality, £23 10s. South Australian wheat, 435, and firm ; Victorian do, 425, and firm. The Bank of Australasia has declared a dividend and bonus of 14 per cent., and carried forward £15,000. If Victoria would pledge itself not to borrow for three years, the proposed loan could now be raised at a fair price. Sir John Gorst will not be a member of the Labour Commission, a section of the Cabinet objecting to him on the ground that his views are too advanced. The Lord High Chancellor (Baron Halsbury) is opposed to any great changes being made in the law as to the relations of employer and employe. Mr W. O'Brien, M.P., has been declared- a bankrupt on the petition of the Marquis of Salisbury. March 14 Afc the Antwerp wool sales 400 bales of Australian were offered, and 176 sold at prices level with the London closing rates. Biver PJate wool showed a decline of 5 to 10 centimes per lb. A great Imperial federation meeting wari held at Leeds to-day. Lord Brassey urged the appointment of a royal commission to inquire into the advisability of a customs

union with the colonies, and advised that an Imperial conference on a combined system of defence should be held at an early date ; also, that an advisory council to the Colonial Office should be appointed, or the colonies admitted to a share in the conduct of Imperial affairs. Mr Parnell has issued a manifesto appealing to the Irish Americans to assist him to quell the mutiny and disloyalty of a section of the Irish party. He asserts that the difficulty was created by the hasty and meddlesome interference of English politicians, aided by a panic among young recruits, and was seconded by the malcontents among office seekers. It is rumoured that the Portuguese authorities have seized the steamer CounteßS of Carnarvon, which was ascending the Limpopo River with a cargo of arms for the British South African Company. March 15. At a meeting of the Bank ot England shareholders a profit of three-quarters of a million was reported, and a dividend of 5| per cent declared. Mr Lidderdale, governor of the bank, said that the liabilities of Barings' Bank amounted to 21 millions and their assets to 25 millions. The outlook is hopeful. Mr Blame (United States Secretary) and Sir J. Pauncefote (British Ambassador) are arranging for a convention re the Bearing Sea difficulty. King Leopold will probably be arbitrator in the Behring Sea dispute. Arbitration re Newfoundland affairs between France and Great Britain is to be | confined to the dispute over lobster fishery riots. Newfoundland disapproves of arbitration. The House of Commons will adjonrn on March 24. It is expected that the, lrish Land Purchase Bill will be passed through all its stages. News from Tonquin reports that the rebels sacked Cobo and massacred the French officials. I Three hundred Chinese pirates have been beheaded at Kwang Lung. Baron Hirsch has given halt a million to help Jewish emigrants to the United States. Servian Radicals advocate the expulsion of both the ex-King and the Queen. Sir C. Tupper is sanguine that reciprocity between the States and Canada will be agreed to. Feeling is now turning in favour of Sir O. DUke, and the attacks on him are being deprecated. London, March 16. The steamer Countess of Carnarvon, seized by the Portuguese, has been taken to Delagoa Bay. She ascended the Limpopo River at the express wish of Gunguhana, a chief who repudiates vassalage to the Portuguese. The Times and 'other journals say that Portugal must be called to account. The Marquis of Salisbury states that the. action of the Portuguese authorities in seizing the steamer Countess of Carnarvon was unjustifiable, unless the vessel was landing arms on Portuguese territory. Sir Joseph W. Pease will interview Mr J. B. Patterson, formerly Commissioner of Trade and Customs in Victoria,' with reference to prohibiting the importation of opium to the Australian colonies. The United States man-of-way Galina was wrecked on the Hampshire coast during the recent storm. Mr Parnell, speaking at Dublin, asserted that duriDg the] negotiations at Boulogne his. opponents had offered concessions, even to the verge of weakness, to secure his own retirement. He himself was content with the past. Speaking of the future, he said that his relations with the Liberals would compel him to oppose labour candidates, but England must adopt the " one man one vote " principle and legalise eight hours. In the course of his speech Mr Parnell denied that he had attempted to dissuade Mr Michael Davitt from becoming a member of the Labour League. After the meeting Mr Parnell went to Galway, where he met with an enthusiastic reception. March 17. The steamer Abergeldie, bound from Sydney to Dunkirk, collided with the steamer Fifesbire, which was on a voyage from Port Chalmers to London, off Gravesend to-day. The amount of damage has not been ascertained. The steamer Roxburgh Castle, 1235 tons, was run into by another vessel off the Scilly Isles and foundered, 22 of those on board being drowned. Paris, March 12. The Societe de Depots Oompte Courants is stated to be in difficulties owing to the financial crisis in the Argentine Republic. M. Rouvier, Minister of Finance, has requested the Bank of France to advance 60,000,000fr, pending a joint guarantee from the various banks. March 13. The Societe de Depots will enter into liquidation after the payment of depositors' claims. Yesterday the bank at Monte Carlo lost 1.000.000fr. A group of Englishmen playing at one table won 700,000fr, and the bank was broken three times in succession. Beelin, March 13. It is rumoured that the security of General yon Caprivi's position as Chancellor has been shaken during the past few weeks, and the impression is gaining ground that he will be succeeded by General Waldersee, who is at present in command of an army corps. March 14. Herr Windhorst, the parliamentary leader of the Catholic party in Prussia, is dead. [Ludwig Windhorst, the parliamentary leader of the Catholic party in Prussia, was born Jauuary 17, 1812. He attended the " Carolinum" in Osnabruck, and continued his studies at Gottiugen and Heidelberg. He became an advocate, and then syndic and presiding member of tbe Consistory at Osnabruck ; afterward* , ' ' Ober-Appellat'on -t ath " in Khlbe ; from 1863 to 1865 he was Minister of Justice at Hanover ; and finally, he was nominated Chief SyOnio of the Grown in Kalbe. From 1819 to 1860, he" was a member of the Assembly of the U'bfcalea of t ho liealm, aud in 1851 president of the Second Chamber of the Bamo. He became a member of (,he OoustUu<!nfc and the regular Keichs tig ; and since 1807 he had been a meirberol the Prussian Home of Deputise, always boldly upholdiug tho Catholic cause in Germany, in spite of the stern opposition of Prince Bismarck"] St. John's, March 13. The French are erecting additional lobster factories ou the shores of Port Anporb Bay, and their action is causing great irritation among the residents of all parts of the island.

The British Government has guaranteed a railway loan of two millions for carrying on certain railway works in Newfoundland. 1 Vienna, March 12. J It is reported that Baron Hirsch has bought land in the Argentine republic, on which he intends to settle 400,000 expatriated Jews. St. Petebsbubg. March 10. Reports from South Russia state the town of Taganrog has been buried for three weeks under snow, and that 10,000 labourers are engaged digging out the inhabitants, who are on the verge of starvation. New Yobk, March 14. A lunatic asylum at Nashville, Tennessee, has been burned. Five hundred patients are at large, pursued by the county militia. A number of Sicilians in New Orleans belonging to a secret society, who were recently arrested tor the murder of Mr Hennessy, chief of police, were acquitted. The publio were so enraged that a mob < f several thousand persons pillaged the gun shops, forced the prison doors, and shot 11 of the Sioilians in their cells. They then proceeded to threaten the jury, and the military were called out. The Californian Legislature has granted certificates to the Chinese now resident in the State, but will exclude all others. Valparaiso, March 14 The whole of the army, except the Santiago troops, have joined the rebels. President Balmaceda shot 50 prisoners, because the rebels shot some of the leading Government supporters. During the bombardment of Coronel 200 persons were killed. Buda-Pjbsth, March 16. A swamp below this city, containing threequarters of a million acres, which had been reclaimed at' a cost of £20,000,0,00, has been inundated and the crops destroyed. Calcutta, March 16. Upwards of 200,000 Hindoos took part in j a grand religious service in this city. Advantage was taken of the opportunity to protest against an alteration of the age of consent. The proceedings caused great excitement in the city. Washington, March 16. The excitement among the Indians is increasing. The attack on the Sicilians at New Orleans was organised by the leading citizens of that town, and the lynching was approved by the leading commercial bodies. » The Italian Consul has demanded the punishment of the murderers. The State Secretary, Mr Blame, expresses his horror at the outrage, and is conferring with the President. Three leading lawyers of New Orleans harangued the crowd, which acted deliberately. The whole city was incensed against the tyranny and corruption of the Mafia Society, to which the Sicilians belonged, and it is believed that the police officials connived at the lynching. The Governor called out the military, but they were very slow in responding. The men who were shot included four who bad been acquitted, three about whom the jury" disagreed, and four who had not been tried. It is alleged that a detectire named O'Malley, who was agent of the Mafia, bribed the jury, who narrowly escaped being lynched too. The foreman of the jury is now in prison. March 17» I The Mafia Society has threatened to poison the family of Parkinson, who is said to have been the chief leader of the lynching party, and some of the members of the society have also avowed their intention of stabbing Parkinson to death. Mr J. G. Blame, who has been in communication with King Humbert of Italy, on the subject of the outrage has been asked to await a report which will be furnished. It is stated in this city that one million Italians residing in the state of Louisiana will organise vendettas with the object of having the foreman of the jury expelled from New Orleans. Most of the patients who escaped from the lunatic asylum at Nashville when the building caught fire have been recaptured. A meeting at New York, held by the delegates of the M'Carthy party, resulted in a free fight, during which batons were used I freely. The police charged the rowdies and restored order. The Spanish Government dispute the German protectorate over the, Providence Islands. King Leopold visits London to consult the Imperial Government in connection with Congo affairs. The Right Hon. Lowther, addressing a meeting at Cambridge, declared that Freetrade was a mistaken idea, as it throttled industries. He believed that it would drive the colonies to atoms. The interest of the Emperor of Germany in the labour cause is cooling down, and also for eight hours for miners, which the officials have declared to be impossible to carry out. The Premier of Newfoundland considers that arbitration confined to the lobster fishery alone would be useless, and condemns the Parliament for assenting to it.