BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 7 April 1892, Page 34

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Per Press Association.) London, March 30. It is .stated that financiers are negotiating with the Government of Victoria for the issue of another million of Treasury bills. The British Indies are organising a demand for the franchise and autonomous government. The British Consuls in Russia have warned the Jews that they will not be welcome in England. The Ameer of Afghanistan has captured Asinanian, which dominates Kafiristan, a small district on the north-west of India. The House of Commons rejected a motion in favour of giving Irish tenants power to compel landlords to sell. The World states that the Queen is anxious that Prince George should marry Princess Alice of Hesse, his cousin. A strong anti-Parnellite meeting was held in New York. The proceedings were marked by i»ild disorder. Deep interest is manifested in the United States in the approaching general election in Great Britain. The Canadians declare that they will not leave Behring Sea except under order from England. The clericals in the German Reichstag united with the Radicals and Socialists and defeated the Government on a minor point. This was avowedly done for revenge. A quack at Cimarron, in Colorado, U.S., inoculated 20 children to prevent smallpox, with the result that 16 of them died, and the rest are not expected to recover. The Parisian Anarchist, Ravachal, deposited explosives at ' St. Mathien, where he was watched. His mistress conveyed the bombs from Paris concealed in her dress. The Times thinks that disputes similar to the Behring Sea embroglio will compel England to discuss existing relations between her autonomous colonies and the British taxpayers. The total quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 3,256,000 quarters, and for the continent 1,332,000 quarters. Share quotations: Bank of New Zealand, new issue L 7 10s, old issue L 5 10s ; National Bank of New Zealand, LI 10s. The butter market is swamped by Danish and Norman makes. Finest factory is selling at 110s ; second quality at 90s. The lonic's butter is of inferior quality. The American visible supply of wheat is 61,600,000 bushels. Mr Austen Chamberlain, son of the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, has been returned unopposed for the Worcester seat in the House of Commons, rendered vacant owing to the expulsion of Mr G. W. Hastings, convicted and sentenced on a charge of fraud. Mr H. Bottomley denies that he was the vendor of the Hansard Union Company, but admits he was proprietor of the company, and that .the net profit was L 15.000, not L 90.000. Owing to the large influx of Anarchists expelled from France, the police in London are taking great precautions to prevent them landing in England.

March 31. The trial of six of the prisoners arrested in Walsall on suspicion of being connected with an Anarchist plot is proceeding. Sir Richard Webster, Attorney-general, in opening the case, declared that the prisoners projected horrible atrocities. Messrs Dalgety and Co. have declared a dividend of 8 per cent, for the year. The officials at Vancouver Island are detaining sealing vessels. Large areas of crops throughout the United States have been damaged by the floods. The Democratic party in the United States are pushing forward Mr W. H. Springer's Wool Bill. Colonel Ingersoll delivered the oration at Walt Whitman's funeral. The banks in London are gratified at the nature of Sir Thomas M'llwraith's apology. Financial journals approve of the action of the Victorian banks -in agreeing to mutually support one another. The Russian Budget for 1891 shows a deficit of 11 and a-half millions, which is attributed to the famine. The Gold Purchase Amendment Bill was rejected in the House of Commons on the second reading. A revolt has broken out at Mabagrossa, Portugal. It is stated that the fortress of Coniidra will resist the national troops. Several Radicals and army officers in Buenos Ayres city have been arrested for participation in a conspiracy to bring about the downfall of the Government. Mr Abbott, the Canadian Premier, declares that Newfoundland has formed a secret commercial convention with "the United States in hostility to the interests of Canada. Apart from the copyright of his sermons and books and his library, the property left by the late C. H. Spurgeon only amounts to L2OO. The German Reichstag adopted the recommendation of the Federal Council with reference to the construction of strategic railways at a cost of half a million sterling. The bill to proclaim a state of seige in AlsaceLorraine, in the event of an outbreak of war, has been passed by the German Reichstag. Lord Wolseloy, in a recent speech, declared that the invasion of England is impossible. A standing army of 12,000 men and a reserve of 90,000 were sufficient to ensure her safety from attacks by any foreign foe. Information has been received at Lisbon of the discovery of a plot at St. Paul de Loanda, capital of* the Portuguese province of Angola, in West Africa. The leaders have been placed under arrest. A French gunboat took soundings round the Island of Malta, and also managed to inspect the various fortifications. Her officers are believed to be in possession of the plans of the new defence works of the island. In the Commons Mr John Morley said that the pressure of Irish affairs was responsible for the inadequate discussion of English business. Alluding to the labour questions, he said that the recent division on the_ Eight Hours Bill pointed to a new distribution of political force. In an article in the " Nineteenth Century" Sir C. H. Tupper expresses the opinion that the Empire Trad.c League will not involve the principle of Protection, , and says that the action of the Agents-general in seeking to abrogate the favoured-nation clauses of our commercial treaties is evidence of Australian feeling on the subject. In aiuaddress issued to Unionists and dissenters, the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain asserts that Home Rule has been supported by lying and dishonest trickery, murder, and outrage. The attention this question has absorbed was the cause of the postponement of the great question of disestablishment. The revenue for the year ended to-day is L 90,600,000. Owing to the treachery of Sergeant Holden, of the Engineers, in selling the plans of the defences of Malta to the French, itxhas been decided to alter the whole of the defences at first cost.

The weekly returns of the Bank of England, published to-day, show the total reserve to be L 16,812,000, a decrease of L 628,000 as compared with the previous week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 4046.

Business in New Zealand long-berried wheat is restricted at 41s ; patent flour, 26s 6d.

Oats: Fine quality, 26s 6d; common sorts. 24s 6d. Beans, 41s 6d.

Frozen mutton (Canterbury), 4£d >per lb ; lamb, 6d.

New Zealand hemp is flat at a decline of 10s per ton. Fair quality is quoted at L2l ss. South Australian wheat is weaker at 41s 6d ; Victorian flat at 40s 9d. For Australian wheat cargoes on passage, sellers ask 38s ; buyers offer 375. April 1. The Customs excise for the year has increased by L 1,100,000. The City Committee of the Imperial Federation recommend that a commercial union should be based on Freetrade between the mother country and the rest of the empire. Argument before the Privy Council in the case of the Attorney-general of New Zealand v. Judge Edwards has concluded, and judgment has been reserved.

The Unionists have decided to contest the whole of the Irish constituencies against the Irish Nationalist party. It is freely stated that if Home Rule is forced upon Parliament by the success of the Gladstonian party at the general election it will cause civil war in Ulster. The Unionists of that province, including the members of the House of Commons, in view of the coming election, are arranging to hold a convention to protest against the severance of the Imperial connection. They declare that they will take no share in the proceedings of an Irish Parliament, but will passively resist its laws and taxation. They will appeal to their fellow countrymen not to place them at the mercy of a Roman Catholic majority.

The Conservative press endorse the opinion that to enforce Home Rule would result in civil war in Ulster.

Ravachal, the Paris Anarchist leader, is trying to convert the warders of the gaol to Socialism. In his house has been found an ingenious concoction of explosives. Prince Bismarck's 77th birthday was celebrated with unusual enthusiasm, which is recognised as a revival of his national influence. He was the recipient of 5000 telegrams, several sacks corning by every post, in addition to which he received numberless presents. Upwards of 12,000 people called on the aged prince.

News has been received that the Portuguese troops have repulsed the rebels in Quilimane, Mozambique.

Mr A. J. Balfour in the course of a speech declared that the Conservatives would win the general election because his party were declaring dividends while the Liberals were issuing prospectuses. During last year the " death duties" showed a surplus of one million, owing to the ravages of influenza. In the last quarter of the year the probate asked for wills amounted to 22£ millions as against 12£ for the corresponding period last year. A question was asked in the House of Commons to-day whether subsidised meat from Australia should enter free. Baron de Worms replied that he was making inquiries. April 2. The Anarchists threaten reprisals in Paris and Madrid.

A strong party in Brazil are opposed to military domination.

Severe penalties are to be inflicted on persons convicted of treason in Russia.

It is expected that Bishop Vaughan (Cardinal Manning's successor) will be made a cardinal.

The revenue of Great Britain exceeds the estimate of the Chancellor of the Exchequer by half a million.

O'Connor challenges the winner of the Stansbury-Sullivan match to row him for LIOOO in England or America.

The governing body of the Imperial Institute have decided to treat Australia federally, and allow one curator only for the whole of the colonial exhibits.

News has been received that 20,000 rebels are preparing to march on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, but the report is not authentic.

It is stated that the Liberal Unionists will oppose the Irish Nationalist party, in order to test whether there has been any change of feeling since 1885.

The Hungarian Government announce that further military expenditure is rendered necessary in-view of the restlessness displayed by the various states of Europe. Sir J. Lubbock, speaking at a meeting of the London Chamber of Commerce, expressed his sympathy with the proposal for freetrade between England and the colonies.

In reply to a question in the House of Commons the Home Secretary, Mr Matthews, refused to release Mrs Osborne in order to obviate a taint upon her child.

The confession of Ravachal, leader of the Paris anarchists, includes the murder of a hermit, but he feebly denies five others which are laid to his charge. Among his papers was found an order for 1500 cartridges for use on May 1. The chairman of the Proprietary mine says that the fall in silver stocks is due to the fall in silver. Every drop of Id in the price of the latter makes a difference of L4OOO per month to the Proprietory mine.

Mr Balfour, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said he doubted the correctness of Air Arnold White's statement that 70,000 Russian Jews were coming to England shortly. Such an invasion would be intolerable.

The Earl of Lichfield, presiding at the meeting of shareholders of the Bank of Australasia, deprecated the views expressed by the London financiers with regard to colonial borrowing. He said that he did not regard the new taxation of New Zealand as likely to produce any harm.

In the House of Lords the Duke of Devonshire insisted that the Liberal-Unionists were more likely to bring practical reforms into operation than the Liberals, who were pledged to a vain hope of Home Rule. He advised the Liberal-Unionists not to outbid the Liberals with promises that were impossible of fulfilment.

Details of the Pacific cable scheme have been published. France will be asked to pay L3OOO towards the yearly subsidy of L 12.000, and New South Wales and Queensland L2OOO each. The rate from Queensland to Noumea has been fixed at 7s for 10 words, and 7d each additional word. The Queensland Government are to receive Is and the cable company 6s, if the Queensland wires are used. The work of laying the cable can be completed within 18 months.

In the House of Commons, Mr Balfour, in reply to Mr Howard Vincent, said the Government adhered to the statement made by the Marquis of Salisbury that he was glad he had treaties with Belgium and Germany, but no opportunity had yet arisen to review such treaties.

For the University boat race next Saturday the crews are very equal, though it is reported

that the Cambridge eight are bearing the heavy training better than their opponents. There is as yet little or no betting on the race. Mr W. B. Eves won every tie in the American lawn tennis handicap at Kensington, defeating Mr Ekenshaw. Tallow is unchanged.

April 3. The death is announced of Mr John Murray, publisher.

General Nicholas Depicrola, ex-President of Peru, is organising a revolt, in order to regain the presidential chair, which he vacated in 1881, but the Government troops are dispersing his followers.

The court has made an order for the compulsory liquidation of Murrietta's firm.

Forty women have been arrested at Vilna, Russia, on a charge of wholesale infanticide.

The Sultan has despatched a firman recognising Abbas Bey as Khedive of Egypt.

The Russian Government are seeking to improve their commercial relations with other European countries. Germany will be the first country they will enter into negotiations with on the matter.

Intelligence has been received to the effect that the French troops in Dahomey have suffered a reverse in an engagement with the natives. Reinforcements are being sent to their assistance.

A petition bearing the signatures of 400,000 Chinese residents in the United States has been forwarded to the Emperor of China, requesting him to compel the United States Government to remove the restrictions which they have placed on Chinese.

The tornado which swept over the north-west portion of the United States caused the death of 50 people in Kansas and seven in Chicago. It also swept over Texas and Utah, and the total number of deaths reported reaches 100.

A sensational lynching affair is reported from Kansas, United States. A negro who had assaulted a lady was captured by a band of lynchers, who fastened a rope round his neck and tied the end of it to a horse, which on being set free went off at a gallop. The negro's body, which was picked up a coniderable distance away, was shockingly mutilated.

The city of Buenos Ayres is in a state of siege. Several prominent Liberals have been arrested on a charge of conspiracy to murder the President and two other leading officials.

April 4. Radicals in Buenos Ayres deny that they instigated the- revolt. Dr Elem, General Garcia, and others have been conveyed under police escort to Staten Island. They are to be charged with high treason.

The United States revenue has decreased nine millions in nine months, and the expenses increased six millions.

By a fire at New Orleans, cotton to the value of LBOO,OOO was destroyed. It is stated that a native force under the command of British officers is being raised on the West Coast of Africa to suppress revolts among the natives.

Ravachal has made a statement incriminating three of those who assisted him to carry out the recent explosions, and admitting that he is guilty of five murders. It is rumoured that Mathian, his principal accomplice, has made his escape to England.

A bomb was thrown at the house of the President of Venezuela, the building being demolished. Wheat is a shilling cheaper. A factory for the secret manufacture of dynamite has been discovered near Paris.

A plot has been discovered in Odessa, with branches in Belgrade, Constantinople, and other cities, to overthrow the Bulgarian Government.

Ravachal has confessed that he planned the murder of those members of the Fren2h Chamber of Deputies who -voted for the capital punishment of dynamiters.

The New York Herald publishes a despatch from Venezuela stating that the rebels have defeated the Government troops, with heavy loss on both sides.

The trial of the Walsall Anarchists has been concluded. Battola, Cailles, and Charles were each sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. Deakin, who turned informer, was sentenced to five years', while the other two prisoners were acquitted.

In the case of the Hon.' Mrs Montagu, who was charged with manslaughter in causing the death of her child by ill-treatment, the jury found her guilty, but recommended her to mercy. The judge sentenced her to a year's imprisonment.

The Radical leaders and 40 officers of the Argentine Army have been deported in warships to Terra del Fuego owing to their being concerned in a plot to compass a revolution, and by the aid of dynamite to murder the President, civil and official heads of the army, and leading citizens. Large quantities of dynamite had been freely distributed. Many bombs and incriminating documents have been seized. Cavalry patrol the city, and soldiers sleep in their uniforms. The army and navy both remain loyal, and the city is quiet.

Intelligence is to hand that a revolt has taken place in Ecuador, South America, and the Government steamer has been seized by the insurgents.

Mrs Montagu, found guilty of manslaughter in causing the death of her child by ill-treat-ment, was recommended to mercy by the jury on the grounds that she had mistaken her sense of duty. She was sentenced to one year's imprisonment. The other charges of cruelty against her were withdrawn. The British squadron at Alexandria will salute the arrival of the Sultan's finnan, recognising Abbas Pasha as the new Khedive of Egypt. The King of Dahomey is besieging Oume, and has written to the Governor claiming the entire territory. At a meetingSof the Union Bank the amalgamation of the bank with that of South Australia was tacitly approved. It was explained that there was no necessity for further capital.

Charles, one of the Walsall Anarchists sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, has admitted that the dynamite bombs found in their possession were intended for use in Russia. The Times states that Russian cereals will be admitted into Germany in exchange for textiles, and that there are other signs of Russia approaching Germany to improve her commercial relations.

April 5. The Parish Council Holdings Bill has been defeated in the House of Commons.

It is feared in the New England States of America that the Anti-Chinese Bill will destroy commerce, and it is rumoured that the Chinese Legation will leave the country. A gang of sisters has been arrested on a charge of having committed numerous stage coach robberies in the mountainous districts of Idaho. They admit the crime, and state that they were compelled by their father to do it. Paths, March 30.

Ravachal has been arrested on suspicion of being the author of the last Anarchist outrages. April 31. Ravachal was seized by the police in a wine shop. He had two revolvers in his possession, but his attempts to use them were frustrated,

When he was safely secured he shouted " Vive V 'Anarchy /"

There is great rejoicing in the city at Ravachal's arrest. A considerable quantity of explosives was found secreted in his lodgings. Ravachal, the leader of the Anarchists, is charged with having committed six murders. He denies that he was connected with the last explosion.

April 1. Several of the Anarchists in custody have confessed and declared that Ravachal was the author of the dynamite outrages and robberiss in Paris. Mathians, his chief accomplice, has also been arrested. Ravachal himself has confessed to several charges of murder. April 2. Anarchists threaten to destroy the proprietor and waiter of the restaurant who were instrumental in the arrest of Ravachal, their leader.

Over 100 dynamite machines have been found in public places about the city, having apparently been thrown away by those possessing them, fearing the activity of the police.

April 3. It is reported that Ravachal has made a full confession as to the murders in the city.

The arrest of Ravachal, the Paris Anarchist leader, was effected through the agency of a waiter in a wine shop which he frequented. The Commissioner of Police was informed of Ravachal's visits to this wine shop, and paid the waiter a large sum of money for the information which led to the arrest. The waiter is to be decorated with the Legion of Honour. Berlin, March 31. Russia has informed the German Government that she has no intention of attacking Germany, and that the movement of troops towards the frontier is only a measure of precaution.

Sofia, April 1,

M. Evinoff, formerly chief of police in Sofia, and M. Baucheff, a Bulgarian officer, have, on condition that the decree of their expulsion from the country is cancelled, revealed the details of the society which arranged the murder of M. Beltcheff, Minister of Finance (shot while leaving a confectioner's shop in March 1891), and Dr Vulkovitch, the Bulgarian diplomatic agent in Constantinople (stabbed in the street a, month ago), and the attempted murder of Prince Ferdinand and M. Stambouloff (Premier). Bucharest, April 5. Five military members of the Suicide Club at Kregora have recently committed suicide. Madrid, April 5. A dynamite plot arranged by Anarchists has been discovered here. It was intended to destroy the Chamber of Deputies Palace and other public buildings by means of dynamite. The police arrested the plotters while they were proceeding to the Chamber of Deputies with the object of placing bombs under the seats which would shortly be occupied by members. Included among those arrested are Frenchmen, Portuguese, and several Spaniards.

The police shadowed the Anarchists arrested here for weeks, and arrested them after a desperate struggle at the door of the Chamber of Deputies as they were presenting tickets for admission. The bombs weighed 81bs each. A time fuse of 3min was attached. A Portuguese prisoner taken here is understood to be the author of the explosion at the Spanish Consulate in Lisbon.

Calcutta, March 31.

An unexampled fall has taken place in the rate of exchange, and it is suggested that a loan of seven millions is about to be raised.

The fall of exchange in India causes great consternation, and threatens to paralyse trade.

Three-quarters of the city of Mandalay, the capital of Upper Burmah, have been burnt to the ground. The fire was accompanied by great loss of life. Among the buildings destroyed were the new Telegraph Office and the old Palace.

April 1. The fire in Mandalay has extended over a distance of two miles.

A fire in Rangoon did damage to the extent of five lacs ofrupees. April 2. The police have repulsed the advance of Chinese in Burmah, killing and wounding 40. April 3. The damage by a fire at Mandalay is estimated at one million sterling. April 5. The Lushias are raiding tea estates in the eastern mountain country, and have killed 38 coolies. The Englishmen succeeded in making their escape. Washington, March 30. The United States has paid an indemnity of 100.000 francs to Italy for the lynching of Sicilians, who wete alleged to be members of the Mafia Society, in the New Orleans gaol. The Government declare it is only paid as evidence of friendship, not as an admission of liability. April 5. The fire in New Orleans destroyed two and a quarter million dollars' worth of cotton. The House of Representatives has, by a majority of 179 to 42, passed the bill absolutely forbidding the ingress of Chinese into the States. New York, April 2. A violent tornado swept over the north-west portion of the United States, committing great damage. In Augusta, Wellington, and Chicago several cases of loss of life are reported. Ottawa, March 31. Canadian sealers claim from the United States a sum of half a million dollars as damages owing to their extended exclusion from the Behring Sea, pending a settlement of tho dispute. April 3. The Opposition in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick respectively charge Ministers with gross corruption.