BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 34

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Per Press Association.) London, August 9. Military material is being forwarded from Odessa to the Pamir. The murderer of Bishop Foliguo has been arrested, and has confessed. A pleasure steamer was run down at Helsingfors, and 45 persons drowned. Cholera is causiug a panic in St. Petersburg. Trade is at a standstill, and wealthy people are leaving the city. News from South America reports that a revolt has broken out in Bolivia, and that martial law has been proclaimed. By the accidental explosion of dynamite during a festival at Alfonsine, near Ravenna, 11 persons were killed and 32 injured. The Canadian Government havo agreed to modify the canal tolls, and the President will consequently refrain from retaliation. Mr Munro denies that he has any intention of resigning the office of Agent-general at present, and says that he has not heard anything yet from his Government. Russian agents are asserted to be dogging the steps of M. Dimitroff, the Bulgarian agent at St. Petersburg, and it is feared that ho will be murdered. The Blue Book issued containing the despatches bearing on the Morocco mission confirms to a large extent the accounts already published of the dramatic incidents attendant on Sir C. Euan Smith's journey to Fez. The Rev. Mr Paton, in a letter to The Times, contends that the kanaka labour traffic is steeped in deception and murder, aud causes a reckless waste of life. He denounces the interpreters on the labour ships as frequently beiDg murderers. Sir Julius Vogel declares that English investors are gratified at the wise policy adopted by New Zealand, and states that the credit of the colony is excellent. The number of deaths recorded so far from cholera is 25,000. Russian troops have compelled the Chinese to withdraw from the Pamir plateau. It is rumoured that Count yon Caprivi, German Chancellor, intends to resign, owing to the continued attacks made on him by Prince Bismarck, and that Count Hatzfeldt will probably succeed him.

August 10. Prominent men in the city do not look with pleasure upon the probable return of Sir Graham Berry to London as Agent-general for Victoria. The German Government are seeking the reduction of the Russian duties on steol and iron, and propose a reduction in the duties on Russian corn admitted into Germany. The Berlin press, discussing the matter, warn the Government that Russia generally repays any concession with injury. A flour trust is being formed in San Francisco with a capital of three million dollars. The American visible supply of wheat is 32,900,000 bushels. The attacking fleet, assisting in the naval manoeuvres, evaded the vigilance of the defending fleet and captured Kingstown, near Dublin. At the meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand, the Hon. Sidney Glyn stated that the district business of the institution was in a prosperous and healthy condition. He proposed to spend the English winter in New Zealand, and would embrace the opportunity of studying the bank's affairs. At tho Bank of New Zealand meeting, the Hon. Mr Glyn declared that the increased deposits in New Zealand over-compensated the withdrawals of English capital. New Zealand securities, he contended, were the safest of the Australasian colonies, and he hoped shortly to pay the Estates Company's debentures and substitute others at lower rates of interest. Sir James Fergusson and Mr Herbert Fison were re-elected members of the London board. August 11. Sir James F. Garrick, Agent-general for Queensland, has replied in a letter to The Times to the statements of tho Rev. Mr Patton respecting kanaka labour. The French have taken possession of the Gloriosa Islands, a small group iv the Mozambique Channel 100 miles from the north extremity of Madagascar. France now declines to submit tho Congo difficulty to arbitration. Archbishop Vaughan will shortly be created a cardinal. The Appeal Court has decided that it is illegal for an employer to deduct from an employe's wages an amount for a compulsory benefit society. Gautier swam the Channel from Folkestone to Dover with his hands and feet chained. The Medical Committee state that Mattei is a complete failure, and the Medical Journal asserts that it is another instance of the credulity of the masses. This telegram probably refers to the medical committee established through the efforts of Mr W. T. Stead, to test the effects of the Mattei treatment in cases of cancer. The late Sir Morell Mackenzie was the first chairman of the committee. Some patients certified by competent medical men to be suffering from undoubted cancer were placed in a separate w.ird, and treated under the supervision of the committee with Mattei medicines by a doctor who practised the Mattei treatment. In connection with this subject it is interesting to recall tho fact that an analysis of the remedies " published in an English paper some time ago stated that they consisted simply of pure water. The silver market shows signs of further depression, and among the Indian banks there is a generally growing belief that America will shortly be compelled to stop the coinage of silver. Some of the city financiers believe that a silver panic is within measurable distance. Several of the representatives of Indian banks in London are consulting with merchants as to the best means of averting the danger. August 12. A cablegram from New York through DalzieFs Agency states that Sir G. R. Dibb3 has had a violent quarrel with Colonel Campbull, who was commissioned to visit Australia in the interests of the Chicago Exhibition. The quarrel is said to have taken place in a billiard room attached to the Victoria Hotel in New York. Colonel Campbell, on seeing the New South Wales Premier enter the room, prepared to welcome him, and approached with outstretched hand. Sir G. R. Dibbs refused the proffered courtesy, remarking that he did not care a damn for their country and was sorry thit he had visited it. Colonel Campbell, iv a friendly manner, invited the colonial Premier to visit Washington and Chicago. Sir George replied, "Damn Chicago ! Chicago has caused New South Wales to squander L 20,000 through lading to fulfil'its promise 'for space." Colonel C.impbell retorted, "This is news to me, as the directors have provided special meaburcs to satisfy the British colonies." During the quarrel expletives were frequently used by Sir (i. R. Dibbs. The New York papers are discussing the quarrel. The next Antwerp wool sales will be held from the 23rd to the 26th insfc. inclusive. Ten

thousand bales of River Plate wool will be catalogued, but none from Australia. New Zealand long-berried wheat (ex warehouse) 33s 6d, but the market is quiet. For off the coast cargoes sellers ask 31s 9d, but buyers are only willing to give 30s 9d.

Canterbury mutton, 3jd ; lamb, s§d ; mutton, 3|jd. Beef : Forequarters, 2|d ; hindquarters, 3^d. New Zealand hemp is in poor demand. Seventy bales were sold by auction this week at an advance of 10s. Adelaide wheat (ex warehouse), 34s 6d (market flat) ; Victoriajdo, 33s 6d August 13. Despite rumours of impending failures, the Bradford wool market remains firm at late rates, and a fair amount of business is doing. Duting the naval manceuvres tho warships Naiad and Apollo grounded at Berehaven, but were refloated. The Arethusa's propellor drove a hole in one of tho torpedo boats, and two persons were injured. On another torpedo boat an explosion took place, and three were injured. The manceuvres have now concluded. Rear-admiral Henry Bowden Smith, who succeeds Lord Charles Scott in command of the Australian station, takes with him Captain C. R. Arbuthust as flag captain, and Lieutenant Charles F. Corbett as flag lieutenant. The admiral, who hopes to retain the Orlando as flagship, will have Mr F. G. W. Taylor as secretary. The party leave in the Oceana. The official receiver appointed by the shareholders of the Mercantile Bank of Melbourne has submitted his report to the committee, in which he expresses the opinion that tho explanation of Sir M. Davies, colonial representative, is far from satisfactory.

The Paris correspondent of the London Times states that the Moorish Ministers who took part in the agitation against the British commissioners at Fez, and who prevented the Sultan from agreeing to the terms of Sir C. Euan Smith, each received 10,000dol from the French agent. M. Souhart, who is the chief wire-puller, is leaving Morocco on a prolonged absence, which means a lull in French activity. The Aughente rebels are roported to be short of ammunition.

August 13,

The Statist warns investors that America stopping purchases of silver and India suspending coinage must cause securities to decline, and predicts a sharp fall.

The Standard says that the continued fall in silver must embarrass the money market.

The Times states that the money market is uneasy owing to the continued fall of silver, and urges that the Indian Council should have power to stop its coinage

August 14,

In his interview with the Canadian Ministers Sir G. R. Dibbs said he thought it would be feasible to open up an important trade directly between Australia and Canada, in place of allowing it to go via San Francisco. He agreed that it would be a great benefit to the empire to possess cable and telegraph services passing entirely through British territory, and that it would be of material service in the event of war.

A girl named Borden has been arrested for the murder of her wealthy father and stepmother at Fall River, Massachusetts (U.S.). She administered poisoned milk, and while they were insensible killed and mutilated them in revenge for a quarrel. The owners of the ship Benvenue, which was wrecked at Sandgate in November, when several lifeboat men were drowned in going to the assistance of the crew, have been sued for compensation. The court awarded the claimants L2OO.

A party of M.P's. dined with Mr Munro yesterday, in order to show their sympathy for the Agent-general of Victoria in his present position. Edison's ore works at Ogden collapsed, and four persons were killed. Edison himself had a narrow escape.

The Brazilian Government aro taking measures to exclude the Chinese.

It is rumoured that the Sultan is inclined to promise Premier Stambuloff to recognise Prince Fcrdiuand,

The Melba divorce suit has been amicably settled. Silver has advanced to 3s 2 1-16(1. Mr H. S. King, M.P. for tho Central division of Hull, has beeu knighted.

Mr Cristobel de Murietta, head of the firm of Murietta and Co., has been declared a bankrupt.

An attempt to destroy tho Law Courts at Grenoble by means of an infernal machine was frustrated.

At a meeting in Phccnix Park, Dublin, which was attended by 15,000 people, resolutions were carried demanding that an amnesty be granted to political prisoners. Tho authorities in Burmah are alarmed at the extension of tho opium trade, and proposals are to be made to prohibit traffic in the drug.

Mr Perceval is making inquiries with regard to the reduction in passage-money to New Zealand for persons who intend to emigrate to the colony and follow farming pursuits. H.M.S. Warspite, which grounded at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour, 8.C., sustained seriovis injury, and has been ordered to be docked for repairs. Owing to the objection offered by Berlin merchants to the proposed International Exhibition, the Emperor has shelved the question for the present. Information from Venezuela states that the town of Bolivar was captured by stratagem of the rebels, who, uudpr pretence that they were under flight, succeeded in drawing the garrison troops out of the city. A Blue Book has been published containing despatches from the colonial Governments on the kanaka labour question. Sir Henry Norman, Governor of Queensland, writing under date May 23, expresses the opinion that abuses would be very rare indeed, and if they were committed at all they would be sure to be deI tected. The opposition to the resumption of the traffic was mainly, he considered, confined to the clergy and trade unions. He asserted that employment in Queensland was very popular among the islanders. Mr Munro has not yet decided on what action he will take, and has only asked whether leave of absence would be granted to him if he found it necessary to return to the colony. Sir W. J. Clarke oifered to take charge of the London agency for six months to enable Mr Munro to return to Melbourne. Mr Munro declares that the statements published are outrageous, and states that his faith in the Real Estate Bank was so great that he "bought" shares in the institution the same week as. the cloud burst. He had deposited the whole of his wife's money, amounting to LIO.OOO, in the bank, and everything had gone. The barque Thracean capsized off the Isle of Man, and ?even of the crew were drowned. The Times states that a special committee of tho Imperial Federation League will report in favour of a joint scheme of Imperial defence, and that prubally Mr Gladstone will be asked to summon a conference of colonial statesmen to discuss details.

The Irish societies in Chicago have resolved if Home Rule is rejected to use physical force to compel its acceptance.

Paris, August 10. The French have opened a war against the King of Dahomey, and are now engaged in bombarding the towns.

August 11. Information from the West Coast of Atrica states that tho French troops have burned Kotonou, and that in an engagement with the Diihomeyans the latter lost heavily.

August 12. France has annexed Astordan and St. Paul Islands, in tho Indian Ocean.

Bun lin, Angust 10. Count yon Eulenberg succeeds Dr Herrfurth as Prussian Minister of the Interior.

A severe earthquake has been felt at Bins (a watering place of Hesse Nassau), Coblenz (a town of Rhenish Prussia), Nassau (a part of the province of Hosse Nassau), and other towns of minor importance. Several buildings were damaged, but up to the present no loss of life is reported. August 12. Wolff, the Leipsig banker, has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for tho appropriation of L 220.000. St. Petersburg, August 10. It is feared that 90 persons have been drowned owing to the collision between the passenger steamers at Helsiugfors, Finland. August 11. The average daily death rate in Russia from cholera has been 2000. Fifteen hundred 2)ersons at Trcbizond, who have been placed in quarantine owing to the cholera, attempted to break through tho cordon placed around them. The soldiery were called out and quelled the disturbance, but not before seven people were killed. August 12. Nearly 4000 deaths from cholera are reported since August 10. A mad wolf raided a Russian village. Thirty persons besides many horses, cattle, and sheep, were bitten. The village is now full of persons who have gone raving mad. August 14-. The Czar has abandoned the army manoeuvres usually held as this time of the year. They were to have taken place at Krasnoesels, but, fearing that the health of the troops might suffer from the prevalence of cholera, he orders them to be cancelled. Owing to the ravages of cholera in Moscow numerous shops and factories are closing. Five thousand deaths from cholera have occurred since August 11. SoriA, August 12. M. Stambuloff is on a visit to Turkey, and has had a private interview with the Sultan. Constantinople, August 15.. M. Stambuloff's visit was made at tho request of the Sultan, who treated him in princely style. The Sultan assured his visitor that he would recognise Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria at the proper moment. M. Stambuloff showed the Sultan letters privily seized from the Russian dragoman Jacobson, which implicated the Russian Government in the recent attempted assassination of Prince Ferdinand. It is stated that Russia, through the medium of the French Ambassador at Constantinople, requested the Sultan not to see M. Stambuloff. The documents found in the possession of the Russian Jacobson show that Hitrovo, the Russian Minister at Bucharest, wrote to the Foreign Office at St. Petersburg proposing to remove Prince Ferdinand by means of a revolutionary committee or by the use of dynamite ; hence the recent discovery of a number of bombs in Rustchuk. The Foreign Office had previously informed Hitrovo that Prince Ferdinand was regarded as beyond the pale of all laws, and that he (Hitrovo) should seek fit tools to "remove" him. Rome, August 13. Monseignor Stanor has been created a cardinal. Brussels, August 14-. It has been ascertained that Hodislier, leader of the Katanga expedition, was captured by the Arabs, who tortured him for three days and then beheaded him. Zanzibar, August 11. Information has been received that the tribes in the vicinity of Nyaugwe, Upper Congo, have revolted. Tangier, August 10. The Sultan's troops, while inarching on tho Tontine rebels, were suddenly ordered to return to Tangier. The rebels forcing tho attack repulsed the Sultan's troops, who lied towards tho city. They are being hotly pursued. The battle lasted for live hours, and there were heavy losses on both sides. The country is being devastated by fire and sword. The European portion of the population are terrified. August 14. Tho Augheritc rebels retreated before the Sultan's troops, who set fire to their village and then returned to Tangier. Frenchmen are officering tho Sultan's troops. Yokohama, August 12. The Japanese warship Genkimaru foundered in a typhoon, and 60 of the crew were drowned. Calcutta, August 15. There is increased agitation on the silver question, and the apparent supineness of the Government has given grave dissatisfaction. The Currency Association urge the Secretary for India to caMe permission to the local Governments to adopt a gold standard. Washington, August 10. The Chinese Minister at Washington has been recalled, owing to the Emperor's displeasuie at his transactions in connection with the formation of an international bank for China. New York, August 11. The Atlantic liner Saalc ran down a Norwegian barque during a fog. The latter sank, but the crew were saved. August 12. The rebels under General Fernandez have captured Bolivar, and 1000 of the Government troops were killed, including four generals. Victoria (8.C.). August 12. H.M.S. Warsprite, while entering the port of Esquimalt, grounded and sprang a leak. o