BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2626, 13 July 1904, Page 26

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

LONDON, July 4,

The sailor Carter, arrested for stealing the Nelson relics, states that he obtained possession of the Nelson watch from a destitute .sailor in Melbourne, who admitted to him that he was concerned in tlie thel't of the relics.

July 5

Mr Rattigan, a member of the House of Commons, was killed while motoring in Biggleswade.

The King, accompanied by Queen 'Alexandra and the Prince and Prince-s of Wales, was present at the Royal 'Academy, when Lords Linlithaow and Tennyson presented the King with Tom Roberta's picture of the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament in the presence of the Hon. A. Lyttelton, Lord Jersey, and the Agents-general. King Edward, in reply, expressed great satisfaction at accepting a souvenir of a most important event in the history of the Empire. He complimented the artist. The picture is likely to be hung in St. James's Palace.

Lord Strathcona has handed to the Lord Mayor of London the £30,000 eoted by the Dominion Parliament as contribution to the Queen Victoria Memorial Fund.

The Imperial Institute's Technical Department speaks favourably of the Queensland re -in. Hitherto it was believed to be kauri resin, but probably derived from the species Callistris. The

department considers that if cotton is properly cultivated in Australia it may compete successfully in the best market.

Mr Choatc, the American Ambassador, and Captain Mahan, speaking at the American Independence Day dinner in London, said that they rejoiced that the day was celebrated as an Anglo- American festival of s .rorld-wide significance to English- 1 peaking people.

July 6.

One hundred thousand persons attended the Salvationists' Thanksgiving festival at the Crystal Palace. General Booth reviewed 24,000, representing 49 countries.

Sir J. A. Youl's estate has been sworn at £104,456.

Sight German battleships and seren cruisers will visit Plymouth on the Bth, and remain there till the 13th.

The Crown agents have ordered 350,000 Australian hardwood sleepers for the Central and South African railways.

At her trial the battleship Commonwealth maintained a speed of 19^- knots. This is beyond the expectations that had been formed.

At the Henley regatta Scholes, the Canadian, won the Diamond Sculls, establishing a record of Bmin 23sec, and defeating F. S. Kelly, the Australian, in the semi-final.

■. The Waihi Grand Junction Company-" decided to increase its capital by £100,000.

The Mullah attacked a Somali levy of scouts and frieudlies near Eldup, killing 60 and looting 1000 sheep and 50 camels. The Pioneers pursued the marauders and shot 20 of them.

The Standard (C.) says that the drastic new army scheme by Mr ArnoldForster (Secretary of War) is full of amazing and impossible proposals. The paper instances the virtual abolition ot the Militia, the reduction of the Volunteers by 60,000, of the South African garriion by 5000, and the curtailment of the garrisons, a& well as of the coaling and naval stations.

Captain Mahan, addressing the Imperial Federation Defence Committee, said that the sentiment inspiring the movements of the world would ultimately overcome the difficulties in the United r States. The world at large was interested in seeing that all communities under the British flag should become capable of coincident action, and able to exert power as though one great nation.

July 8.

The first meeting of Convocations of Canterbury and York and the Houses of Laymen of both provinces, which constituted the representative Church Council, discussed the Licensing Bill from the standpoint of the moral and social well-being of the Kingdom. It was resolved, by 157 to 64, that the bill is a fair basis of settlement. Seven bishops favoured, and 12, including the Primate, opposed the bill.

The Cape Colony's 3k per cent, three million loan, with a minimum of 95, was a comparative failure, the underwriters receiving about 70 per cent.

The Geographical Society is sending an expedition to the Pamirs.

The British imports for June increased in value by £1,901,000, and the exports increased by £1,798,000, compared with the previous June.

General Lyttelton, senior member of tie Army Council, speaking at the South Africans' annual dinner, expressed his misgivings of Mr Arnold For&ter's a % my scheme. Personally he advocated cc-mpulsory service, but not universal compulsory service.

Owint; to obstructions largely, the G -and Committee appointed by Parliament lo deal with the Church Discipline Bill passed only three Hues of one clau-.j

at seven meetings. Mr Ake'^-Douglas ' declared that the bill was choked by words. The clergy of the East End consider the loss of the bill a disaster. There is much popular indignation ovor , the matter. j July 10. One hundred anel seventy-^even Unionist members were present at a banquet , at the Hotel Cecil in honour Gf Mr Chamberlain's, birthday ; 21 more wrote sympathetically. Mr Chamberlain, m acknowledging the unique demonstration in favour of an idea, declared that all present were loyal admirers anel &u ( >> porters of Mr Balfonr. They were deter- | mined to keep the Government in power. ' Personally, he was a fiscal reformer mainly because lie w.i 1 - an Imperialist. It was every patriotic Briton's duty to draw the different parts of the Empire closer while there was yet time. Since I the colonies were prepared to meet »5 in no petty grudging .spirit, we must throw aside pedamry anel be prepared to make conception 6 , even sacrifices. He ridiculed Sir 11. Campbell-Bannerman for describing a commercial union with the colonies as a sordid bond. Statesmen must use the present creative time to lay the foundations of the Empire of the future. Let them call the colonies to our councils and conclude arrangements for developing trade with,* the be^t customers, making a. prosperous Empire. His fir~t doubts over Freetrade i aro^e when called upon to defend it. j The new aspect of the question, not the economic aspect of the question, was revealed when he entered the Colonial Office. Then he realised tliao the ques- ' tion was connected with the future ; greatness and prosperity of the race. j

General Booth's final charge to the t .Salvation Army officers aroused tremen- , dous enthusiasm. Much popular interest ; was displayed. Lord Rosebery, Lord j Grey, Lord Aberdeen, the Bishop of , Hereford, and leading officials in the j Church Army were present. The higher • officers of the Army remain to confer, ! while the field officers disperse. July 11.

Most of the creditors have accepted j the South African and Australasian Cold j Storage Supply Company's offer of 40 1 per cent, cash and 10 per cent, in pro- ' missory notes. j

PARIS, July 5

President Loubet, in receiving the I British workmen's delegates in Paris, paid a hearty and graceful tribute to King Edward's share in securing the entente cordiale, his, share exceeding even the part taken by the British j people and Government. |

July 6.

The Committee of Inquiry unanimously exonerateel M. Combes and his son in connection with the Carthusians' alleged attempt at bribery. The inquiry "continues concerning alleged intermediaries' attempts to extort money from >. the Carthusians. i

The Senate, by 107 to 108, adopted the bill providing for the abolition of congregationist teaching.

The Chamber of Deputies adopted a Two Years' Military Service Bill, and decided against General Andre's proposal to exempt reservists from any training during July, August, and September.

July 8

The Chamber of Deputies, voting against the proposals of the Minister of War, reduced the Reservists' period of training to a fortnight, and abolished territorial training.

July 10

The Committee of Inquiry, by 18 votes to 8, reports that there is no proof of an attempt at bribery in connection with the Carthusian monks, and regret that M. Emile Combes (the Premipr) impi'udently and without sufficient reason had thrown the country into the j greatest excitement. i

AMSTERDAM, July G

The commander of the Dutch expedi- , tion in North Aoheen, Sumatra, tele- . graphs that he attacked the natives' ,' stronghold at Lidat. Four hundred and i thirty-two of the enemy were killed, ' including 124 women mid 88 children. ' Fifty-four of the enemy were wounded, ' and 17 pi*h oners taken. The Dutch commander and 13 men were wounded. The troops next attacked L.uigathars, when 651 of the enemy were killed, ! including 86 women and 130 children. Forty-nine others were wounded, ar.d I 28 captured. Three Dutch and six j coolies were wounded

ROME, July 7. |

An Italian captain named JErcole.w > and his wife were arre-ted on a charge of selling to France plans of mobilisation paid of the fortifications in Sicily and Calabria. Both attempted to commit .suicide. A search of their residence revealed a .system of espionage on a large | scale. Three hundred photographs and many compromising documents were found. I

ST. PETERSBURG, July 5.

Russian newspapers rejoice over the opening of the Orenburg-Tashkend line to Kashtailinsk, and admit that it is designed as a menace to Afghanistan and Northern India.

cThe Czar's rescript appointing Prince i)bolenski Governor of Finland mentions that autonomy and the privilege of legis'.iting will be preserved. It inslr'.cts Prince Ololonski to biiai^tlKii in the mmd of the nation

t.ie belief that its destiny is bound up with Russia, and that Finland's future is dependent on the maintenance of internal peace. General Bobrikoff was considered a lamb in comparison with Prince Obolenski.

TEHERAN, July 5.

The Shah has refused the Russian request to prohibit the republication of the war news from English, French, and German, newspapers. CONSTANTINOPLE, July 6.

Turkish troops at Gumendja surrounded anel burned a house containing a Bulgarian bind. One .surrenderee', and declared that the band consisted of five members, but six women and children were also roasted. Russian gendarmerie officers have gone to in- \ estigate.

SOFIA, July 5

Colonel .Savoff, Minister of War, has countermanded the temporary discharge of 15.000 recruits to gather the harvest. Ho delivered a speech urging the nece— '■Hy for an efficient army, and adding that er.rly serious work would perhaps bo required of the army. The is interpreted in Vienna to mean that Bulgaria is watching developments iv the Far East with a view to intervening iv Macedonia. Meanwhile Tuikey is sum moniug 20,0CQ Anatolian troops, ostensibly to replace the discontented Redifs in Macedonian

SIERRA LEONE, July 5

News lias been received that Rauv, a Swiss officer, and 15 Congo State soldier^ in the Mongalla district were killed and eaten by the Bundjas tribe. Two hundred troops have been sent to suppress the revolt.

Only one body— that of Rauss, the Swi^s officer — was eaten by the Bandjas tribe.

NEW YORK, July 4

The Americans are despatching two 21, 000-tou steamers from Puget Sound to Japanese and Chinese ports, to inaugurate a serious attempt to substitute wheat and flour for Burmah rice and other grains. One million pounds is invested in the experiment.

July 5.

Dowie purposes to charter a fleet of Gospel ships in order to invade England for the restoration of the lost. Five thousand persons have volunteered to accompany him.

OTTAWA, July 7

At a banquet given to Earl Dunelonald 20 members of the Dominion House of Commons and many influential citizens were present. The gue=t had a magnificent reception. Earl Dundonald emphasised the necessity of closer union with the Motherland.

July 10

The Militia Department has ordered tho destruction of all Earl Dundonald's infantry and cavalry text books, on the ground that they are unreadable. The public is disgusted at this action.

JOHN'S, July 11.

The difficulties of French fishermen in procuring bait m Newfoundland have been removed.

CAPETOWN, July 6. The Progressives have captured two more new seats in the Assembly. July 10. Fifteen thousand Chinese will be working on the Rand before September 30.