BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 23

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

LONDON, April 21. The German Antarctic exploring vessel j Gauss arrived at Kergiielen on January 2. The British Post Office authorities are ' w-illing to link an overhead wire with the Marconi system for the purpose of transmitting a message to ships on the I coast. j A Reuter's message states that three earthquakes destroyed the town of Quesaltenango and Amatitlan, in Central America, killing 500 people. April 22. In the continuation of the Interdepartmental report, the committee) recognise the great service the cable companies have rendered commercially' j and strategically to British interests, i Dealing with the proposals of State pur-J j chase, which the committee oppose, the j estimated value of British companies' stock is £25,000,000; but experience hasj shown that the State has failed to obtain 1 favourable terms for the transfers of property to it«elf. When transfers ar^ made there is constant pressure fop increased wages for the working staff antlj for inadequate reductions in rates. The«" committee report: "No detailed calculations were laid before us to 5-how how I a peamy rate to America and Australia could be made to pay. Indeed, the advocate of the scheme broke down altogether when cross-examined on the point. We are clearly of opinion that the establishment of such a rate on a commercial basis is impossible. We re-< gard all the proposals for a large reduction in existing rates as impracticable. There is little analogy between submarine cables and the penny post. On the other hand, we are not in favour of either working cables by the State at a loss or of subsidising private cables on commercial as opposed to strategical ground*, both of which courses burden the taxpayer unfairly for the benefit of a special class. We are not prepared to say the existius; rates are excessive, with the exception of those to the Gold Coast and Nigeria. We recommend that a reduction be attempted in connection with the renewal of the Eastern Company's landing ri.rht* at Porthcurnow." A fire occurn d this morning;, recalling the gn\it firp in Jewin-, street a few years aao. The fire fitted three wareliou^e* on the south side and two on the north side of Australian avenue, and both side^, of New Zealand avenue in Baibican. Thirty-nine *.team fire engines and 300 firemen were employed in extinguishing the fire. There were no fatalities. Colonel Edwin Hughes (C), member for Woolwich, has retired owing to illhealth. Luri\ Charles Beresford will be ■if I'rionist candidate for the vacant I seat. The Hon^e of Commons has agreed to j the London County Council's tramway being run along the Victoria Embankment, l The King held a numerously attended i k'vee at St. James's Palace. The Prince of Wales Prince Christian, the Duke of Argyll, and a number of colonial visitor*- now in London attended. Several colonial officers were presented to the King. In the Hou-e of Commons, Mr Hanbury announced that the butter regulations as cabled on the 16th, fixing the standard of moisture at l(i per cent, of water, will be enforced on May 15. The election campaign ha.-~ commenced, and there i-> much excitement. The Radical-ttepubhcan manifesto advocate two years' military service for all, a Labourers' Accidents Insurance Bill, an income tax, workmen's superannuation funds, and the energetic defence of individual liberty. General Mercirr was stoned and hurt at an election meethm at Fertcnbcrmard. I'ho Duchess of Bedford and other society l^adeiN have appealed for £100,000 for the can err investigation fund. The Rajah of Pan.ia has boon dppo^f d aud confined for uoiaOiiiim his un/'le- ihe

late Rajjih. Lord Curzon nominates his successor. The damage by the Barbican fire, London, is estimated at £2,000,000. Fifty firms are sufferers by the Barbican fire. April 23. The Education Committee of the British Wesleyan Conference, by 49 votes to 23, adopted a resolution strenuously opposing the Education Bill. Forty-two deaths were reported in London from smallpox last week. The polling for the election of a member for Woolwich in succession to Colonel Hughes (resigned) takes place on the 30th. Four months' hard fighting has resulted in the suppression of 170 Soudanese mutineers, who, in alliance with the Langos tribesmen in North Unyors, disturbed the Upper Nile districts. I Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal j Society, Ediuburgh, addressing the I American Institute of Electrical Engineers in New York, predicted that submarine telegraphy would continue useful after wireless telegraphy was a proved commercial success. The police have arrested Darcy -Uiddleton, Charles Forrester, Edward Lovelock, and John Cassels, who are | alleged to be members of a gang of j 12 swindlers well known in Sydney and Adelaide. They were charged at Westminster Police Court with keeping a flat at Buckingham Palace Gate for the purpose of gambling, and have been remanded. The Natal Assembly have approved of I the Imperial Conference in London discussing the principle of furt-her colonial contributions to the Imperial Navy. The Daily Mail states that Natal will present Great Britain with a first class cruiser. April 24. The Jamaican Government, with Mr I Chamberlain's sanction, propose to guarantee loans to be expended to erect central sugar factories. The Adelaide Steamship Company's steamer Dilkera, during her tripl trip on the Tyne, was considerably damaged through a collision with the Norwegian bteamer Heckla. Seven of the Heckla's crew were drowned. April 25. The P. and O. Company is offering at par one million of the balance of the authorised issue of debentures. Tenders close on Friday. Mr Knox, the United States Attorney--#eneral, reports that there is sufficient evidence to demand an injunction to restrain the Beef Trust, whose agreement is equivalent to a restriction of interState trade. An arrangement has been signed at Brussels providing for carrying the Cape-to-Cairo railway via Victoria Falls and Katanga to Lake Kossali, thence by the waterway along the River Luababa to Stanleyville, thence by railway to Lake Albert Nyanza, thence by the waterway to the Nile, German territory being avoided. A railway accident occurred at Hackney Downs on the Great Eastern railway. The axle of the engine broke, and the train stopped suddenly, causing some of the carriages to tilt. There were some fatalities, and scores were injured. Mr Starling, the late managei', sued Messrs Holder Bros, for damages for wrongful di&missal. A verdict was given for the defendants, who alleged that Starling had divulged the contents of =ecret cablegrams. Tho New Zealand Shipping Company's new steamer Turakina h.is been launched at Newcastle-on-Tyne. In the House of Commons, Mr Balfour, during the debate on the Procedure Bill, announced that there would be an autumn session. Lord Charles Bere.sford was returned j unopposed for Woolwich. ! Mr Law (Nationalist) has replaced Mr 4. G. Boyle (N.), who re-igued his seat for West Donegal. Much confusion has been caused by | the cablegram anno'inciiig that the Com- ' momvcalth h:id agreed to penny postage to Australia from all parts of the British Empire. The Postmaster-general states J that no such arrangement has been made, and tli_> old rate-, of postage prevail. Under the Brussels agreement it is arranged thu-i 40 per cent of the Oape-to-Cairo railway plant be purchased iv Britain. Mr Herbert Williams, a well-known railway concessionaire, holds the late Mr Cecil Hhodes's written authorisation to connect the Mashonaland and Congo Free State sections of the line. April 26 The Daily Mail states that the BaLser Kreditge^ollskaft, Switzerland, a leading financial institution, has failed. The failure is attributed to speculation resulting in the los, of £1,500,000 on the Paris Bourse. Grol>, the manager, and Hoeflingor, the cashier, have been arrested. Thousands have been ruined, chiefly in South Germany. April 28. The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales witue-sed on Lord's ground a lacrosse match, a vi-iting team from J Toronto beating the Duke of Argyll's ! te.im. Major-senpral Trotter inspected the I King's Colonials at the Horse Guards on Siinxiav. lie comcLuneiited them an <

their smartness. A church parade was held at St. George's, Hanover, subsequently. i A powerful German squadron, commanded by Prince Henry of Prussia, will manoeuvre throughout May off the Irish Coast. Italy is steadily preparing for the occupation of Tripoli, though assured by the Powers that it is not intended to disturb the balance of power on the shores of the Mediterranean. PARIS, April 27. There are 2300 candidates for parliamentary honours at the forthcoming general election. April 28. The French elections are singularly quiet even in Paris, where the Nationalists gained many successes. The pro^ vincial results indicate a Ministerial victory, though many second ballots will be necessary. BERLIN, April 21. The Kaiser unveiled a monument to the memory of General Rosenberg, cavalry leader. General yon Waldersee, speaking at the ceremony, declared that there were glorious days in store for the cavalry, despite the perfection of firearms. THE HAGUE, April 22. .Queen Wilhehnina is making, satisfactory progress. The impression is growing that a regency is unnecessary. April 24. A less favourable bulletin has been issued regarding Queen Wilhelmina's health. VIENNA, April 28. The Buda-Pester Bankverein has failed owing to industrial speculations. ST. PETERSBURG, April 22. Russia is watching Ishak, the Khan of Samarkand, to prevent any inroad into Afghanistan. WASHINGTON, April 24. In the House of Representatives Mr Richardson moved for an inquiry into the abnormal ri&e in the price of meat, with instructions to members of the committee of inquiry to recommeud remedial measures. Mr M'Dermott introduced a bill to abolish the duties on imported meat and poultry. A treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of Colombia has been signed in Washington. It provides for a perpetual lease, renewable every century, of a canal route six miles wide. The iJnited States pay 7,000,000 dollar--, in consideration of which sum Colombia relinquishes 1-1 years' rental and other canal revenue-*. The terms for the first century lease are to be arranged meanwhile, or arbitrated upon if necessary. The treaty authorises the Panama Company to sell their rights. It will not be submitted to the American Senate till the Cnnnl Bill has been passed through Congress. NEW YORK., April 21. The fatalities through the burning of the steamer City of Pitts-burg number 75. Coolie ricts have occurred in Annottii Bay (Jamaica), and there have bepn encounters between the mob and the police. Numerous arrests were made. April 23. A punitive expedition sent to Mindanao, in the Philippines, owing to the murder of two American soldiers, fought two engagements. A red flag was seen hoisted on Moro's village, which indicates Moro'b determination to renew the struggle. April 24. The recent explo-ion at Managua de-troyod 4,000,01)6 rifle cartridge*. April 26 General Smith'- counsel at Manila admitted all Major Waller's statements with reference to atrocities upon Filipino prisoners. Major Waller and Lieutenant Day, of the Marine Corps, were accused of lU-treatmg and shooting nat.net) in the island of Samar. On^ native was shot in the thigh, the next day he was shot m the arms, on the third dny m th«» body, and on the fourth he was killed. The friends of the officers at first attributed tho cruelty to loss of mind caused by cne privations suffered, but Major Waller, who commanded the American Marine Corp-> at Peking, nut forwxrd the plea that they

were only carrying out the orders of General Smith. April 28. The New York Herald states thu-t the President of. Hayti, in return for an advance of 300,000 dollars, has secretly granted to German capitalists a mining monopoly and extensive commercial privileges and a monopoly of certain coaling stations in Hayti. General Smith's admission of Philippine massacres uas produced a painful impression in America. Many journals demand his dismissal.