SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 18

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

(Per Alameda, at Auckland.) AUCKLAND, April 12. KLONDYKE NEWS. The Klondyke district is jxist now suffering -from a reaction after the boom. The latest news is of the finding of a nugget worth thirteen hundred dollars, and it is expected that the output this spring will be 'about twenty -five million dollars. JEowever, there are many more people in the district than can find employment, and there has been much suffering from poverty and illness during the winter. It is declared that next year will be banner year, for the New Eldorado's miners have learned experience, and expect to use electrical and other appliances. The estimates of the output are .semi-official, and fromH. Milton Martin, of Governor Ogilvie : s office at Dawson. The son of Ogilvie, on his way to Ottawa, has given out the opinion that numerous changes will be made in the regulations, especially as to, .the general Crown reserve and royalty "provisions. CHINESE TROUBLES. China has asked the United States to use their influence with the Powers of Europe to stay the development of the grasping spirit manifested tpward Chinese territory. The United States replied that they had decided not to interfere in the discussion of the question of the partition of China, but would 'not participate in such arrangement. It is said, however, that 'the policy of the "United States may be changed, as the President believes it may become a commercial necessity to secure a base in China in order to protect the important and growing trade between the two countries. The trade amounts to more than fifteen millions a year, and is constantly expanding, especially through the introduction of American cotton goods. "It is for this .reason that the attitude of the 'United States is one of antagonism to the aggrcisions of the European Powers in China. The eagerly -awaited Chinese Blue Book has been issued at London, disclosing few points not already known to the public. The book deals .at length with all the territorial -railways and mining concessions to all countries, commencing with the cession of Port Arthur and closing with the opening of Nan-ning as a treaty port. The readiness of British warships to support the "Viceroy in resisting Trench demands is also displayed, and the .whoie tenor of British despatches shows a 'lesire to mcc*. tlie views of Germany and the United States in all matters in which they were concerned. The reports from China show that Russia is still massing troops at Port Arthur, and Talien-Avan under the pretence <hat the force now garrisoning these places is too small m view of the present discontent of the inhabitants of Liao-Tung Peninsula, who have within the last two months risen against the Russians in 12 townships and districts. The full strength of the army corps will be "36,000, in addition to garrisons of 15,000 at Port Arthur and 800 D at Talien-wan. The Pekin corz'espondent ef the Times says, regarding the demand of the Italian Government for a concession at San Mun Bay that stronger measures than the ultimatum of Signor Martino,, the Italian Minister at Pekin, will be necessary to induce such concession. He adds that this is owing to ignorance with regard to Italy's standing nmonir nations. It is stated from St. Petersburg that Talien-wan will be opened as a free port on the completion of the Mamcluirian railway in 1902. Foreigners at Shanghai are demanding an extension for foreign settlement in the city. The Americans and English are fast outgrowing their quarters, * and will block the plans of the French, who have demanded exclusive extension, and in the quarter of the British by pre-emption. 'GENERAL "SUMMARY. .From the Orient has come news of a terrible storm which visited Corea last month, destroying snipping of all ports cind drowning 2000 people in a tidal wave at Kungsan. The Japanese Government evidently intends to establish iron and steel industries on an immense scale, about two million dollars having been appropriated as a starting fund, and the Government appealed to the current session of Diet for nearly two millhm dollars to be added to the fund, which has already increased to five millions.

Canada and America, who are certain to be malcontents, are excited as to the matter \>f Alaskan boundaries. The Government at -Washington made representations regarding encroachments of British subjects, but the Salisbury Government lues made no reply which is deemed satisfactory. It is expected that there will 'be serious discussion of points of difference during the next few months. It is believed that there need be no trouble if interested will be patient until some definite knowledge cm be substituted for guesswork as to the boundaries they now seek to maintain. Both Canadians and Americans have opportunities to encroach under the present vague conditions, aud -where land becomes more valualjle "because of gold deposits the matter becomes difficult of adjustment. The British Government probably desires to hold the affair open until the Joint High Commission reassemble after -the elections have been held in Canada. 'Governor Bi'axly, of Alaska, who is /at Seattle on his way home from Washington, -said n fight would surely follow any attempt on' the part of Canadians to move the' boundaries on I'orcupine Creek, as they hava done at other points. "Do yau think," said he, " 2000 armed Americans who .have gone into the country and taken up claims on what lias always, been considered American ground will let a handful of Canadian policemen move the boundary line at will."' White Frasei, of the Dominion Topographical department, js on his way to the disputed territory, and his coiiehiMons vrill be re^aTued v* most important ny both disputants. At a peace meeting in Tremoufe Temple, at Boston. Samuel

Gompers, president of the American "Federation of Labour, spoke earnestly in objection to the policy of expansion. Gompers's remarks were received with, great applause, and he even went so far as .to declare that the time is coming when, if peace .cannot be .secured any other way, 'federated "labour will refuse to make the implements intended to strike down fellow •men, when shipbuilders will refuse to con--stracfc vessels of war, when sailors will refuse to navigate .ships of war, and when all -workers will refuse to contribute their labours in any way for the slaughter ot their brethren, wherever they may. he. He announced that a '-treaty is being formulated between a 'union of workers o f Great .Britain and America which will make peace necessary without intervention. THE SITUATION IN THE PTTTT.TPPINES. The oiews from the Philippines is always of American victories, but the islanders seem not to know when they are beaten, and the battles have all to be fought over and over again, even in and about" Manila. The situation is .perpetually .critical, and General Otis has cabled that the city is no tplace for wives or families of officers. These are not to be allowed to • go-hence-forward. The-. general's cablegrams to the department further indicate that the most he expeots-to do -is <io drive the natives far enough from Manila before the rainy season f begins .aod .to .leave the city free from attacks by skirmishers. Tor this 40,000 men will be Jield iin the Philippines, and there are hardly more . to be spared for such a purpose. .Having captured Pasig, the American troops have advanced .to dainfci, a well-defended village five miles north-west of the .foothills. On March 16 a lively battle was fought here, fhe Americans charging Across the ricefields and advancing bravely in the 'face of a vigorous fire from the trenches. The rebels lost 100 .men, while two Americans were' killed \ and 10 wounded. Fatalities among Amerioans havef not been numerous, but disease is doing its work, and it is feared *fche men ' are being Teduced in strength by the enervating climate and constant arduous duty. Under the new conditions business is progressing under • American prolection. General Wheaton has 'had Beavy fighting to do an Laauna JRay, he captured j the towns of Pasig and Pateros on March 14, taking 400 prisoners and inflicting j heavy 'loss in killed and wounded. Communication between the north and south , sections of -Aguinaldo's forces was cut off | I altogether. ! The campaign in the Philippines is b^irg j ! conducted with great eirerery, and the War j department is :firm in the ".belief that the j face of affairs in -the >s.Vands will be creatlv I changed in a, few days. The last batch of Spanish soldiers lias left Manila, but Spain is most distressed at not being able to secure " the release of her prisoners. Spain's new ' Premier? Silvelia, has spoken in 'favour of asking France to intervene for the pur Dose of obtaining permission froir the United States for Spain to resume negotiations for the release of the prisoners held bv-tlre Philippine rebels. Admiral Pewey's health is .reported to bo failing, and though this is denied by tho 'department, it is certain he is to come home. JEe is now ■ a full admiral, tho third in -the history of the United States. He has had .n, term of active service, which has extended over eight years, and it has been "definitely and conclusively declared that he will not be a candidate for the Presidency. He himself declared that he had had no training 'for the duties of 'that office. It is a plan of the citizens of Washington to have him in thatcitv for the 'celebration to be held in the latter part of "Mar. MISCELLANEOUS. • Queen Victoria, left England for the Gontinent on March 11. Rather contrary to general expectation she was received in ' France with accustomed cordiality, and ' at Boulogne-sur-Mer nil vessels in the harbour were decorated with bunting. An immense crowd assembled, troops were i drawn up in line from the quay to the railway • station, and her Majesty was pre- ; aented with baskets o? flowers and with., several engravings representing her last visit to the , place in 1886. Salutes were , fired, and every honour accorded her at all points. The Princess of Wales, Princess Victoria of Wales, and Prince Charles of Denmark left England on March 11 also. They went by way of Dover and Calais -to -Paris, where ■ they spent two days. ■ They then proceeded to Marseilles, where they embarked on the Royal 'Yacht Osborne for a Mediterranean cruise. Lord Curzon, at Calcutta, introduced into the Legislative Council a bill to impose a countervailing duty on sugar. The measure seems to be aimed at Aineric.in suzar interests, which mostly supply the Indian trade. Mr M'Lean. the member' for Cardiff, said with regard to the matter; •that he should at once call the attention of the House of Commons, to the mutter, as he 'thought it unfair to the natives, who already have to pay a heavy impost on salt. j Holland, the inventor of the submarine! torpedo boat, has sailed for England mi company with Captain L. K. Bell, of the! British Navy, who has been in New York; investigating Holland's invention. It isj said, though not officially, that the British \ Government will purchase one or more: -bonts, and Captain "Bell admitted that his} country would like to off -set the progress, of "France in the matter of submarine' boats.