SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 29

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

■ (Per Sononrla, at Auckland.') KRUGER'S MEMOIRS. AUCKLAND. November 25. The first instalment of extracts from the ''Kruger Memoir.?" ha« been published by the London Times. A striking feature of the memoir.?, is the revelation of the. jealousies which existed before the> war between the inhabitants of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State and the Cape Colony Boerj, which prevented anything like a satisfactory mutual understanding. Mr Kruger closes his memoirs with these words: "I am convinced *God will not forsake His people, even although it appears co, and I acquiesce in the will of the Lord, knowing He will not allow an afflicted people to perish. The Lord hath all hearts in His hand, and He trusteth them whithersoever Be will." Thi3 is the keynote of the book, which is adjudged less a source of historical information than a " human document " of psychological value. Mr Kruger's opinions of men are interesting. Mr Rhodes is described as "Jesuitical Cecil Rhodes" and "the curse of South Africa." He asserts that "no matter how base or contemptible — be it lying, bribery, or treachery— all, any, every means were welcome to him." Lord Milner is a " typical autocrat, beyond endurance." It is declared that Mr Chamberlain was R'hodes's accomplice in the Jameson Raid, and appointed Lord Milner British High Commissioner of South Africa, with the direct intention of driving matters to extremes. " This tool of Mr Chamberlain," continues Mr Kruger, " carried out his mission faithfully, and turned South Africa into a wilderness." It is declared that the Transvaal National Union was under Mr Rhodes's influence from the first, and it is described as having used the demand for franchise as a cloak for designs against the republic. After many bitter accusations Mr Kruger makes the philosophical statement that he looked upon the wa., not as an event, but as a sign of the times. THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION. A despatch from London, dated October 25, says that attention is attracted afresh to the international situation by indications of special activity on the part of the Russian Government. "There is good reason to believe," says the St. Petersburg correspondent of the Folitische Correspondenz," of Vienna, an unusually well-informed paper, "that Count I/amedorff, conscious that the Muscovite policy in the Balkans and in Manchuria antagonises too many interests, has set himself the task of consolidating Russia's position abroad by establishing better relations with Vienna, Constantinople, and London. The moves are complicated, but the Rusbian Foreign Minister is an adroit player." It is with London that the greatest difficulty will be found, but Russia is aware tnat if rearrangements of parties should bring in an administration under Lord Rosebery many obstacles new existing to the improvement of AngloRussian relations would be remo\ed. Lord Rosebory, like Lord Salisbury, has held for years to the opinion that there is room enough in Asw for both Britain and Russia. Russia watches British politics closely, and the return of Lord Rosebery to power would do much to allay the irritation caused by Mr Chamberlain's declaration that " Muscovite methods bear watching, and lie who cups with the devil needs a long spoon." AMERICAN XEWS. The annual report cf the U..S Commission of Immigration, made public on October 18, fliows that nearly 650,000 immigrants ariived in the United Slates during the last fiscal year. Few Chinese came, but over 14.000 Japanese in round numbers. The arrivals from Italy were 178.000; Austria-Hungary, 171,000; Russia. 107.000. Most European countries showed an increase, but there was a falling off in the arrivals from Ireland. A despatch from New York, lated November 4. says: — For the first time in the history of Atlantic navigation a passenger liner has crosse-d the oc9an with oil for fuel under one of her boilers. The Red Star steamship Kensington, Captain J. B Hill, accomplished this feat. The Kensington .sailed from Antwerp in October 25, and arrived at her pier this evening, bringing 133 cabin and more than 600 f-teerage passengers. Chief Engineer Penie reported to the supervising engineer (Mr John Carnegie) of the International Navigation Company that crude kerosene had been burned continuously instead of coal under the singleend boiler of the ship. The experiment was apparently a success. " Whether the ot! lias affected the boiler or tubes we cannot tell," said Mr Carnegie to-night, "as we have not yet made an inspection." Much gratification is felt berause of the. interest of the British in the St. Louis Exposition. King Edward has requested Sir Thomas Lipton to name p. special commissioner to -visit St. Louis, and the Go\ernment have undertaken to create public interest throughout the United Kingdom in thi-i great fair. It is felt that this will he followed in other European countries. The plans for what is called the " Louisiana Purchase Exposition" are on a magnificent scale, and are being pushed forward with much energy. News regarding the recent volcanic eruption iv Gautemala has »me to hand slowly, but a cable to the Herald, dated November I, says that the recent eruption of the Santa Maria volcano caused little lo«s of life. When the earthquake shocks began the people of the surrounding country fled, leaving all their possessions. The country for

a radius of 15 miles around the volcano is covered with stones and ashe3 15ft deep. Fully 100,000 mules, cattle, and sheep perished Many houses »vere burned. The great coffee crop, ready for picking, was completely destroyed, as were many coffee trees. A second crater was formed into the volcano. The country is covered with a mantle of ashes resembling snow. Australians will be interested in the fact that the Me=sageriet Maritimes de France, an already well-established line of eteamships, is now negotiating for entrance to San Francisco for the purpose of obtaining part of the trade between this pcrrt, Hawaiian Islands, and Australia for the East and Europe. New Caledonia and Tahiti will also be on the proposed route. The service between San Francisco and Sydney will be monthly at the start, and more frequent if the conditions-warrant. The French company has 62 vessels, having a ser\ ice on the West Coast of Africa as well as on the Mediterranean and Black Sea. It is expected rates will be broken by the new competitor for trade. Hawaiians are said to be much elated over the coming of the new line, though the change cannot help their tonnection with the Pacific coast, because of the laws which forbid the trading of foreign vcs??ls between domestic; ports of the United States.

A despatch- from Panama, dated October 28, announces the surrendei of General Uribe Uribe, a revolutionist, with his troops, 10 cannon, 2500 rifles, and 300,000 rounds of ammunition. The surrender was to General Marjarres, near Santa Marta. Legation officials at Washington declare that with the surrender of Uribe Uribe the rebellion in the interior of Colombia has received its death blow. Uribe Uribe was the leader of the revolt, and by his energy and perseverence in raising and equipping troops and securing assistance from outside kept the war going. The operations of this energetic general have been considerate. At the head of 10,000 men he menaced the capital, Bogota, until defeated by Government troops in a battle, in which the casualties numbered' 5000 in all.