BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, February 13.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 17

BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, February 13.

Tbe Standard states that the Government propose to construct 119 machine guns and to equip six battalions of infantry at a coat of L 1,000,000. Arrangements have been made for turning the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company into an association with a capital of LGOO.OOO. The paid-up capital will be L 343.620, and ± per cent, debentures will be issued at par to the amount of L 300.000. The Standard stateß that Nabar Pasha, at one time Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, is reported to be a candidate of the Sultan's for the Governorship of Crete. It is reported from India that the Afridis have been allowed until the 25th to submit to the British. The Admiralty have determined to hasten the increase of the navy, and are calling for tenders for first class cruisers. Mr Lowe (Conservative) has been elected for the Edgbaston division of Birmingham unopposed. Lieutenant Harrington, of the Indian staff, has been appointed British Agent in Abyssinia. The claim of Queensland for special consideration in connection with sea postage is delaying the signing of the detailed regulations for the eatablishmant of the FrancoAustralian parcels post. February 15. Mr Smallsy, the New York correspondent of The Times, states that relations between Canada and the United States are strained with reference to the Yukon customs dispute. February 16. As Lord Salisbury and Lord William Cecil were entering Hatfield Park the wind blew an iron gate against and wrecked their carriage. Lord Salisbury was enveloped in the debris, but escaped unhurt. A departmental committee has been appointed by the Imperial postal authorities to consider tbe reduction of the Imperial postal rates from 2£d to 2J. The Agents-general have been asked to attend. Sir Daniel Cooper, Acting Agent-general for New South Wales, opposes the reduction pending the decision of the Australian Postal Conference. February 17. Major Lugard leaves England on the 26fch inst. for West Africa for the purpose of Securing tbe observance of treaties in the Lsgoß hinterland. He will be supported by West; Indian ti-oop.-* and a native regiment numbering 1300. He will also recruit additional native troops. A bye-election for the House of Commons, caused by the re&ignation of Mr R M. W. Davies (Liberal), member for Pembrokeshire, recently appointed Attorney-general at the Bahamas, resulted in the return of Me Pciilips (Liberal), who formerly safi for MidLanark, by a majority of 1670. [At the general election in 1895 the majority of the Liberal candidate was 580, Mr 11. M. W. Davies polling 4550 and Mr A. S. Davies (Conservative) 3970 ] Mr W. E Gladstone, who has been staying at Cannes, has left for Bournemouth. At the Lambeth Convocation now being held the House of Laymeu favours the reduction of the taxation of the cleigy. Reports from Teneriffe state that the French steamer Fxachat, bound from Colon, on the Isthmus of Panama, was wrecked off Anaga Point, Canary Itland, in a dense fog. The captain, second officer, eleven of the crew, and one passenger were saved. Eightyaeven were drowned. [The Flachat wa% an iron three-masted screw steamer, oi 2175 gross tonnage, and wsis built in 1880 by Messrs M. Peai-se- and Co., of Stockton. She was owned by the General Transatlantic Company, Marseilles being her port of regibtry. Her dimensions) were : — Length, 300 f t; breadth, 36fc ; depth, 25!'t,5iu.] Februaiy 18. A fire in stores at Sauthwark destroyed the stage properties and scenery of Sir Henry Irving's plays "Hamlet," "Richard III," " Macbeth," and " Peter the Great." " Peter the Great " is Mr Laurence Irving's new play, recently successfully produced by Sir Henry Irving and his company at the Ljceam Theatre. February 19. Mr Gladstone has arrived in London from his visit to the South or France. London, February 20. The Irishmen resident in London celebrated the centenary oE the 1798 Rebellion •with great enthusiasm. Paris, February 17. Sara Bernhardfc, the actregs, has successfully undergone a severe operation for tumor. Berlin, February Is. A terrible colliery explosion has occurred in Westphalia. Fifty-three miners were killed and 30 injured. February 18. The latest report regarding the disaster at the Bochin mine, Westphalia, is that 78 miners were killed. Forty-six of the injured have been recovered from the mine, but 30 are still entombed. Vienna, February 17. The agrarian socialistic movement in Hungary is assuming the proportions of a peasant revolt. St. Petersburg, February 13. M. Bonrtzeff, editor of a Russian Anarchist journal, has been sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for the publication of an article inciting the assassination of the Czar. .February 15. Count MouraviefE, who was suffering from smallpox, is recovering. February 17. Daring a storm on the Finland coast the Ice was broken and 200 fishermen were carried out to sea. February 18. Forty of the Finland fishermen who wera carried away through the breaking of the ice have been rescued. February 21. The remainder of the Finland fishermen vrho were carried away on the ice have been rescued. Constantinople. February 13. - The British, Russian, French, and Austrian Ambassadors are supporting the demand of tha Bulgarian Government for the dismissal of tbe Turkish officials concerned in the recent torturing at Usknb.

Mr John E. Blunt, Consul-general at Salonica, refused a request by the Ports that he should order the correspondent of an English newspaper to leave Uskub on the ground that he had insulted a Turkish policeman. February 15. Edhem Pasha has been ordered to proceed to Uskub to inquire into the outrages alleged to have been perpetrated by Turkish officials. February 18. The Sultan, at the request of the Powers, has proclaimed an amnesty to the Bulgarians at Uakub with the exception of the ricgleaders. He has also dismissed the Turkish officials, and appointed a commission of inquiry. Rome, February 14. The Pope to-day celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his first mas 3. The commemoration caused intense excitement in Rome. Some thousands of pilgrims arrived to take part in (.he fcervices. [The Pop^ celebrated on Decmber 31 the sixtieth anniversary of bishaviog been ordained priest, when he received some very valuable gifts : From the Emperor of Austria a purse containing 50,000 florins in gold, from fche Sultan a mj.gaifieent ring, from the QaeenRegent of Spain a chalice of gold and ivory of most beautiful workmanship, and from the President oi the Frenea Republic six exquisite vascs,of Sevres ware.] Caiko, February 18. Major-general Giteacre, in command of the British troops in she Soudan, has advanced upon the Abudis, a few miles above Abu Hamid. Calcutta, February 13. A railway survey has been ordered from Jeurud to Lundi Kotal. February 17. The strike of officers of the British-India Steamship Company, trading to Indian ports, has been settled, and the officers are resuming work. The strike was brought about by the management declining to recognise tbe officers' guild and to redresa old grievances. February 20. The Council of the Governor- general of India has passed a bill amending the laws relating to sedition. Madrid, February 15. The Spanish Government has refused to accede to the request of General Woodford, the American Minister at Madrid, that Spain should disavow Stmor de Lomes's references to President M'Kinley, considering that tho resignation of the Minister was adequate reparation. Capetown, February 14. Mr Cecil Rhodes advices the federation of the British colonies and dependencies of South Africa, to meet on important questions in like manner to that proposed between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. February 15. The Aagoni Zulus in Nyaesaland have revolted. Colonel Mountfort-Johnstone has been despatched with 400 men and gatling guns to quell the rising. He is confident of success. The British South Africa Chartered Company report that tha stations in the disturbed territory are safe. The Angoni Zulus have been routed and have fled to the hills. Twenty were killed. Washington, Fabruary 13. Tha American Government have intimated that they expect the Spanish Government either to disavow the responsibility of or explain their ambassador's letter containing an attack on President M'Kialey. February 15. The Americans have favourably received the appointment of the Duke of Courcos as Spanish Ambassador at Washington. February 18. Spa'si has officially disclaimed Senor Lomes's letter, s>nd >-he authorities at Washington express themselves satisfied. New Yoek, February 13. The steamer St. Louis, belonging to the International Navigation Company, New York, fell in with the Netherland American l>ner Veendam ia -the Atlantic in a sinking condition. She rescued 210 passengers. Great difficulty was experienced in the transhipment owing to heavy seas breaking over the Veendam, and the boats had great trouble in spproachiog the disabled vessel. February 15. The steamer Clara, from Nevada to Seattle, foundered off tha Alasktm coatst. Passengers (who were largely Klondyke miners) and crew to the number of 66 are believed to have lost tbeir lives. Ottawa, February 13. Mr E. W. Scott, Canadian Secretary of State, ppys it is the intention of the Dominion Government, after August nexb, to limit the customs tatiff to a minimam so far as Great Britain and the British colonies are concerned. ■»