THE WORLD’S NEWS.

Patea Mail, Volume XXIX, 6 December 1907, Page 4

THE WORLD’S NEWS.

EXPLOSION ON A STEAMER

While sis men were in the stokehold of the coasting steamer Kempsey, lying at the wharf, a naked light; set up an explosion in a leaky case of benzine. The six men were injured—two seriously.

ZULULAND TROUBLE

Dinizulu has been sending emissaries throughout Zululand, Natal, Swaziland, Basutoland, and Pondoland. As a result the Zulus are re. ported to be mobilising in small numbers, and two of the most powerful Natal tribes- totalling 9000 fighters—are restless and prepared to co-operate with the Zulus should the latter rebel.

Reuter states that the Zulus’ fighting strength is estimated at 30,000. They possess many rifles and considerable ammunition, but the number and quantity, also Dinizulu’s intentions, are unknown.

It is understood that Bishop Oolenso is urging the natives to surrender and stand their trial.

The authorities are preparing for all emergencies. Fifteen hundred troops are ready for action, and the Zululand Militia is being recruited up to its full strength of 3500, The impending mobilisation of all reserves will give a total defence force of 10,000. Dr. Jameson wifi place a force on the Grequaland border. The Transvaal and Imperial Governments are ready to assist in case of necessity. THE “ALL RED” ROUTE, The Hon. W. P. Reeves thinks there is an excellent prospect cf the “ All Red ” Route Committee recommending a scheme for an AtlanticPacific service affording the desired speed and not involving a prohibitive subsidy, He considers it unlikely that the British Government will subsidise the Atlantic section only, since that would not afford the Imperial advantages desired.

AMERICAN POLITICS.

President Roosevelt’s message to Congress occupied three hours in reading. It contained pages, ana was the longest on record. It dealt with fifty subjects, and contained a few surprises. The president is not opposed to railway pooling, and recommends the suspension of trust companies, the forbidding of monopolies, and trading at a loss in order to crush competition, and urges the Federal control of interstate business; the establishment of an emergency currency to be issued under a heavy tax ; the establishment of post office savings banks; a graduated income and inheritance tax; the extension of the Ocean Mall Act of 1891, to enable the Postmaster to devote the present profit of 31 million dollars on mail services abroad to mail service in South America, Asia, the Philippines, and Australia at the rate of four dollars a mile for sixteen-knot steamships ; and that the workmen’s compensation law should be brought up to the standard in vogue in European countries.

President Eoosevelt affirms that the United States is definitely committed to Protection, but the tariff ought to be revised periodically to prevent the excessive or improper benefits conferred, adding that the best time for the revision would be after the j Presidential election. He recom= [ mends a larger army and four of the largest type of battleships this year; also defensive works and coaling stations in the Pacific, which is America’s coastline equally with the Atlantic. He hopes that until the canal is opened the battle fleet will shift from one ocean to the other every year or two, and dwells on the education value of Admiral Evans’s cruise. He anticipates in terms of warm friendliness America’s participation in the Tokio Exhibition, but does not mention the subject of immigration. The limes says that President Eoosevelt had nothing to suggest in the way of real banking reform. The New York correspondent of The Times describes the disappointment of the leading bankers and financiers. The Financial News says that Xhesident Eoosevelt’s message is valueless. The Financial Times declares that in the time of the crisis it is like man asking for bread and being given a tract. ; AMERICAN JUSTICE. Airs Annie Bradley was acquitted at Washington for the murder of Senator Arthur Brown, on the plea of the unwritten law. Brown seduced and then refused to marry her. RUSSIA. A woman flung a bomb at the : Governor General of Moscow while he ' was driving in the streets. The, horses were killed and the coachman injured, but the Governor escaped 1 injury. The woman was severely hurt, and is now dying. ;