BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2689, 27 September 1905, Page 26

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

! LONDON/ September 18. I The Pyramus, the pioneer drillship for the Colonial Naval Reserve in Australia, sails to-day. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's new steamer Dongola was launched at the Clyde, and the Deutsch Australisch Company's steamer Oberhauser was launched at Newcastle. The Morning Post states that the United States Naval Department has . under construction 13 first class battleships and 19 other vessels. Of the battleships, seven will be ready for commtesioni ' I ing within the next half-year. September 19. .- Renter's St. Petersburg correspondent that Russia proposes to invite the Powers to hold a second Hague Conference. President Roosevelt, who is sympathetic, is of opinion that the initiative should emanate from the originator of The : Hague Convention. King Edward conducted a review of the Edinburgh Volunteers to-day in the presence of a quarter of a million spectators. The function was a great success. His Majesty paid a warm tribute to Scotland's loyalty and to her Volunteers' devotion in defence of their country. Thirty out of 50 New South Wales Government farms offered through the Agenfc-general have been provisionally allotted, and probably more will be required now that the Government is assisting in the payment of passage money. \ Sir John Cockburn. who is attending a Workmen's Insurance Congress at Vienna, read a paper on Australian legislation, dealing with compensation, miners' relief, and old-age pensions. King Edward, in a message to the Lord' Provost of Edinburgh, said that his visit to that city would always remain memorable. He hoped that the extraordinarily ' fine appearance of the Scottish Volunteers ; would be an incentive to others to join a force the patriotism, of which is greatly to be commended.

September 20.

Lord Minto, who succeeds Lord Curzon as Viceroy of India, sails irom Marseilles on October 20.

Sir Donald Currie lias promised a donation of £20,000 to the Queen's College, Belfast, provided an equal &urn is raised fiom other sources.

The Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner for New Zealand, has been appointed a member of the Board of Trade's Advisory Committee of Commercial Intelligence.

September 21

Interviewed by the Daily News correspondent, President Roosevelt stated that he had pre-empted the position of convener of the next Hague Conference. He and not the Czar would convene, it. One of the most important- subjects to be brought before the conference would be the establishment of a neutral zone along the ocean where ships engaged in lawful commerce would be allowed to pass in war time.

The ship Chipper Kyle, from Newcastle to Valparaiso, is posted, as missing.

The Daily Express reports that a company, known as the G. H. Druce Company (Limited), with a registered capital of £11,000, will prosecute the claim ot G. H. Druce, formerly of New South Wales, to the Dukedom of Portland,

The Druoe claim was made famous some few years ago by the proceedings of Mrs Druee, >vh» actually obtained permission to have the coffin of the late Duke of Portland disinterred, and but for her own folly in persisting in her right to make a show of the proceedings by selling tickets, all doubts as to the contents would have been removed. George Ho'lanby Druce, who was a former l-esident of Melbourne, is more nearly related to the supposed Mr Druce than the Mrs Druce who previously figured in the ease. He has a stronger claim, therefore, to have his great-grand-father's grave l-eopened. The allegation cf the Druce family is that the late Duke of Portland lived two lives — one as a peer, and the other as Mr Druce of the Baker Street Bazaar. The real duke and the tradesman were very like each other in the mystery of their lives as well as in appearance. The Druoes suggest that when the Duke was tired of playing the part of tradesman he had himself buried. He was interred under unusual circumstances, there not even being a death certificate. The Druces allege that after the interment the subject thereof continued to live on as the bachelor Duke of Portland. The crux of the case is to be found in the Druce coffin. If it is empty, then a strong presumption will be set up that the late Duke for some years masqueraded as a London tradesman. September 22.

The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants by a large majority voted for a compulsory annual levy of a shilling per head for the support of the parliamentary candidatures and the payment of membeis Vnt-n elected.

Obituary : Colonel Frank Rhodes, of Capetown, The cause of death was black-

water fever ; which was contracted in Uganda.

Colonel Francis Willum Rhodes, who was born in 1851, was a son of the late Rev. F. \Y. Rhocl??, and an elder brother of the la.to Hon. CYul Rhode*. He was ■educated at Lion, and. l'ke most of his Lrorhcii, chose a miliuiy caicer. Entering the Ist (Royal) Dragoons in ]873, he rose to the rank of colonel in 1889, and in 1891 was nominated a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Ho took part in the Eastern Soudan c-ampaign in 188 4 , and was present at the battles of El Teb and Tamai, for which he received the Egyptian medal with clasp and the Khcdiv's star. In the same year he was engaged m xhe Nile expedition, under General Sir Herbert; Stewart. He was prc?ent at the actions of Abu Klea, and El Gubat, having his horse shot under him in the latter engagement:. During 1888 he was employed Suakim, and v. as present at the action of Gamaizah. He was also chief of the staff to Sir Gerald Portal on his Uganda mission, "during which he almost died from black-water poisoning. He relumed to England in 1893, but shortly afterwaids went to Matabeieland and Moslionaland to take the place of Dr Jameson diving the Administrator's visis to Eirrope. From thence he went to Johannesburg to become one of 'the managing directors of fhe Consolidated Goldfieldo mof South Africa Company. Colonel Rhodes also served in the South African war, and was mentioned in despatches in 1900. He was created a 0.8. in 1900, and retired in 1903.

The Danish Minister of Agriculture visited London to arrange for the more rapid transit and better handling of agricultural produce.

September 23. Earl Dudley narrowly escaped drowning through the capsizing of his yacht on Loch Erne in a squall. He escaped scathelees, and was rescued with two friends clinging to the craft as she was about to sink.

Mr James (the Agent-general for West Australia), in a letter to The Times protesting against the imputation made by the Melbourne correspondent of the Economist against the honesty of the Labour party, states that when the 95 par cent, of the

British population of the Commonwealth ceases to be honest it should give rise to serious misgivings respecting the honesty of the British race as a whole.

On the resumption of the hearing of the charge against Hugh Watt, formerly a member cf Parliament for the Camlacliie Division of Glasgow, of attempting to piocure a man to murder the accused's divorced wife, Watt called a witne^ named Battle to testify that, after seeing Watt leave No. 5 Regent street, London, he saw two others em-erge and overheard their conversation. One said : "Be careful, Marshall, hovr you go about it." The other, who resembled Marshall (now in court), replied '' Have no fear. Nobody will believe Watt. I shall take it out of him. You finish the statement you commenced yesterday, and keep a copy, or we are done.''

[At ihe orig-iiia] hearing of the ease the principal witness for the prosecution was a private detective named Herbert Marshall, who told an amazing story to the effect that Mr Watt offered him "£SOOO to induce the divorced wife cf the accused to visit his (Mr Watt's) house, whon Watt and Marshall were to chloroform her to death.] » September 24. An earthquake alarmed the people of Perthshire and Stirlingshire. The houses were shaken, and the inhabitants rushed into the open.

September 25. The drath is nnreninced at Glyn, Limeilelc, o: Mrs May Fitzgerald, at the age of 114 rears.

The Daily Mail's Johannesburg correspondent states that the recent Chinese outrages have stirred the whole of South Africa, and says it is considered that the mines should pay the cost of the extra protection now rendered necessary. The traders, he says, are opposed to the compound system, wishing the coolies to. spend their earnings ; moreover, the compound system would revive tha cry of slavery ; therefore Johannesburg continues hoping for the best from the new regulations. PARIS, September 21. A high Washington official, now in this city, explains that President Roosevelt's chief object in securing peace was to afford a field for Japanese activity in Manchuria and Korea, thereby warding off tha Yellow Peril from the United States. September 22.

The Czar has directed M. De Witte, after he has visited President Loubet, to see the Kaiser.

The French newspapeis allege that a submersible, just launched at Kiel, is an exact copy of the submersible Aigrette. They declare that French plans have been treasonably sold to Germany. A pupil in the French School of Engineering is ths supposed culprit. ANTWERP, September 22. The collapse of the quay here has ceased. THE HAGUE," September 20. The Speech from the Throne at the opening of the States-General foreshadows the preliminary training of youths in order to place the 'whole nation in a state of defence ; also of compulsory insurance against illness and incapacity in old age. BERLIN. September 18. Six hundred and seventy-one butchers' shops in 28 German cities have closed, owing to bad trade. The consumption of horseflesh has increased fourfold. September 19.

Herr Bebel, In opening a Socialist congress at Jena, declared that although Russia had lost her position as arbiter in Europe and the stiength of the Dual Alliance was bound to lemain dormant for years and yeaifc, Germany's iloroccan policy hud destroyed her improved rela*

.tions with France, and had driven England into the amis of the Republic. Menaces and demonstrative inquiries addressed to , the General Staff regarding the readiness for war had created in France a universal belief that fhere was a danger of an attack, although Germany had in nowise seriously •determined upon war. He added that the " Bet result had beai that Germany was entirely isolated. Her agrarian policy had caused a scarcity of meat, and it was imfrom every standpoint that the Socialists should close their ranks. ' September 20. Speeches were made at the Jena Socialist Congress against attempts to embitter the relations between Britain and Germany. t September 21. The Jena Socialist Congress resolved to introduce into the Reichstag the question of the separation of the Church from the State. The Socialists' vote was increased by 6000 voters at the Essen election. This result was owing to the meat famine. Berr Bassermann, the Leader of the National Liberals, speaking at Essen, attributed the, increasingly strained relations^ with Great Britain to the latter arranging fresh coalitions against Germany in preparation for the day of final Te*ckoning. Despite all England and the menaces and impudent speeches of certain English admirals, Germany would build as etrong a fleet as she required. September 22. There are 227 cases #f cholera in Prussia. Of these 78* have proved fatal. Three deaths are reported from Lodz. Word has been received that the chief MarengO, in German South-west Africa, broke the armistice, and captured 200 German horses and cattle. At the Jena Congress Herr Bebel submitted a resolution that, all other parties ■wishing to combat the growth of social democracy by the limitation or abolition of Inanhood suffrage, the congress proposes the principle of a general strike in all industries as the~ best method of counteracting the movement. September 24. Advice has-been received of the Germans defeating and inflicting heavy losses on the rebels in the hinterland' of "Kilwa, German East Africa. September 25. At the Jena Socialist Congress Herr Bebel's Resolution that as all the other parties were- wishing to combat the growth of social democracy by the limitation or abolition of manhood suffrage, the congress proposes the principle of a general strike of all industries,/ as the best j method of counteracting the work of the : parties, was carried unanimously. I

The- "'congress protested against the Russian Government's repressive acts.

ROME, September 19,

Fresh earthquakes have caused considerable damage in Calabria. Pestilence and famine are also claiming many victims.

ST. PETERSBURG, September 22,

The Novoe "Vremya and the Bourse Gazette suggest the acquisition of the right of a free passage through the Dardanelles as a practical basis for an Anglo-Russian understanding. September 24. Russia, is strongly reinforcing her troops in Turkestan.

TEHERAN, September 22.

The Persian press attacks the British Commission's Seistan boundary award, declaring that it is unfair and favours Afghanistan. It demands that the Shah shall not ratify it.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. '21

The investigations in connection with the recent alleged attempt on the Sultan led to the discovery of 15 empty bombs and numerous bottles filled with yellowish fluid in the "well of a house at Pera, a suburb of Constantinople, occupied by a British subject.

SUEZ, September 20

The difficulty of removing the nitroglycerine from the sunken steamer Chatham causes delays 'in the -canal. It is expected that it will be necessary to blow np the cargo, even at the risk of injury to the canal banks.

September 25,

It is proposed to blow up the steamer Chatham, which has a cargo of 70 %ns of dynamite, and which is sunk in the Suez Canal. The dynamite will be exploded by electricity irom a distance of two miles. The explosion will take place on Wednesday after the Peninsular steamer China passes. It is feared that the debris will block the canal for several days.

NEW YORK, September 19,

Mr William Bedmond, speaking at Boston, expressed the hope that the physical force party would join the constitutional •wine and fight unitedly for Home Rule for Ireland.

King Edward has presented a Bible lectern to Burton Church, Williamsburg, to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of the establishment of AngloSaxon civilisation and the English Church in the State of Virginia. Mr Morton, president of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, declares that henceforth the Equitable will not contribute to political campaign funds

September 20.

Unconfirmed reports received from Colombia stale that General Rafael Reyes declared himself to be the dictator for the imprisoned members of the SiiMßne Court. The mobs attacked his palac^^but the troops fired, killing or wounding man}'. September 21. The president of the New York Life

1 Insurance Company has explained to the Committee of Inquiry that the contribution of campaign funds was intended r the interests of policy-holders and to help in overthrowing the silver platform and supporting the gold standard, rather than in the general objects of the Republicans. September 22. Panama is trying to negotiate a tz'eaty of annexation -with Costa Rica. Four officials of the Schwartzschild Sulsberger Packing Company have been fined a total of £5000 for entering into a conspiracy to accept railroad rebates. OTTAWA, September 18. * A Canadian cruiser on Lake Erie chased an American fishing tug and fired 33 small shells at her, injuring several seamen. The tug eventually escaped into American waters. The same cruiser four times during the past week fired on American trespassers. CAPETOWN, September 20. Letsen, the eldest son of the late Basuto chief, Lerothodi, who died recently, has been unanimously proclaimed his successor. September 22. Lord Selborne, High Commissioner for South Africa, replying to addresses and petitions from farmers at a meeting held at Rtßtenberg road, said it was unreasonable ior parents to ask for the entire control of the schools, as the expenses were borne solely by the Government. The teaching of the Dutch was receiving increasing attention, two-thirds of the teachers being Dutch. The effectiveness of the measures as regards the Chinese was being strengthened. The country would hereafter settle the question of the repatriation of coolies, but any immediate steps in that direction would mean the discharge of 5000 whites, the stoppage of one-third of the mines, a reduction in the revenue, and the pjjevention of any measures for assistance in various directions craved. The speech created an excellent impression, and hearty cheers were given at its close. The President of the Rand Chamber of Mines states that under the ordinances the mining companies are unable to restrict the Chinese -io the compound, even if it were desirable to do so. TOKIO, Sept-ember 19. The Japanese are deporting the inhabitants of Saghalien to De Castries Bay, whence they are obliged to march 70 versts through vast forests in order io reach Mariinsk. ' September 22. The Mikasa's fire is attributed here to an explosion, otherwise the veteran crew, accustomed to formidable emergencies, would have extinguished it. PEKIISTG, September 19. China has decided to open to trade Kirin, Nin-guta, Hung-chem, Hwan-ting, and Toi-tai-hai. The Government is also planning and constructing a trunk railway, traversing three central provinces from Canton to Peking, the Canton-Hankan railway forming the southern part.

September 20.

The Chinese Foreign Council learns that the Dalai Lama started for Thibet on the Jsth inst.j but the diplomatists at Peking doubt whether he intends to go there.

September 25,

As the Chinese commissioners who were appointed recently to study the question of parliaments were about to leave Peking a bomb was exploded inside their saloon car. Shu (a Cabinet Minister) was severely wounded and Wu Ting Fang was slightly wounded, while others w.ere more or less injured. The perpetrator of the outrage was blown to pieces.