NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8702, 22 December 1899, Page 4

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

[Per Alameda at Aitokland.] Reports received by steamer from Japan Bay that dysentery has broken out again with terrible results, over 21,000 deaths being reported. Li Hung Chang has been appointed Minister of Commerce in his country. This is regarded as likely to improve the foreign commercial relations in China. A Kokadama advico states thata terrible condition of thingsprevailsat New Clnvang, Manchuria, with regard to the plague. The American and other Consuls urged the Governor to take heroic measures to stamp oat the disease, which is beginning to spread over the provinco owing to the absence of sanitary or quarantine precautions. Some Europeans have been afflicted, and it is feared the disease may spread among the camps along the Chinese eastern railway, where large numbers of coolies are employed. There are signs that Russia may seize New Chwang for the ostensible purpuae of improving the sanitary conditions and protecting Manchuria. A plan is being put forward by London cables for a treaty among the Great Powers defining the sphere of influence in Chirm. At Washington it is believed something less formidable than a treaty will be made to Berve. The Chinese Ambassador declares it is folly to imagine a conclusion with regard to China to which that sovereign nation is not a party. The German Emperor and Empress, who are paying a striotly private visit to their English cousins, were cordially received. The Queen gave a splendid State banquet, the most elaborate for a generation. There wera 140 guests. The Royal Windsor sideboards were weighted with gold plate, and the- hall was illuminated with electricity. The Prime Minister was relieved from duty by Royal command, owing to the recent deuth of Lady Salisbury. The toasts were very formal. The Prince of Wales rose first, saying, "By command of the Queen, and the German Emperor, and Empress." This was followed by the German Anthem. Emperor Willinni then raised his glass, Buying only " The Queen !" After which the British Anthem was played. The Kaiser had a day's shooting in Wiudsor forest with his uncles and cousins, bagging 178 pheasants, 1 partridge, and 327 rabbits with a Mauser magazine rifle. At the banquet given by the Queen it is estimated the value of thu plate displayed was £20,000. Admiral Dewey has had a bitter taste of the fickleness of public opinion in the matter of heroes. Admiral Dewcy married on November 9th, at Washington, Mrs Mildred Hazen, an old friend, to whom he was engaged but a short time. Mrs Hawn had wealth and social position, and the marriage wns looked upon as suitable. The Admiral hud asked that tlio house i tendered him as a gift by the subscribers , who wished to express the admiration and

iffection in which Admiral Dewcy was lold by the American people bo purchased nstead of built, as he wished to occupy it tt once. This was understood when the narriage was announced, but the people vere shocked and offended a few days ater when it became known that Admiral Dewey had deeded the gift of the people ;o his bride. A storm of press and public Usapproval broke about the Admiral's lead, and he was wounded to the quick. Mrs Dewey tried to correct the error by leeding the property to Admiral Dewey's Dnly son, and the Admiral, by a frank statement, said he thought he waß doing i gracious act wl.icli the American people would approve of. This won him sympathy and support. The officials of the United States, after months of secret negotiation, believe they have discovered the method used in blowing up the United States cruiser Maine in the harbor of Havana. Seven hundred pounds of gnncotton, according to now evidence, the property of the Spanish Government, was used. The explosive was sent from Barceloiia to Admiral Manterola, the Admiral commanding the port of Havana. A month before the destruction of the bat tleship six boxes were received at Havana. The concents of two were stolen from the magazine whore the stuff kept, either with or without official connivance. It was known the ship was destroyed with torpedos filled with guncotton. The new evidence shows that the torpedos were anchored at ebb tide, within a few feet of the Maine's bottom plate. The Maine was anchored with her nose pointing towards Havana. The action of the tide swung the ship to Buch a position that her nose struck the caps attached to the floating buoys, and exploded the guncotton in the torpedos below. The U.S. cruiser Charleston is a total wreck off the coast of Luzon. The ship ran on an uncharted rock in broad daylight. The compartment doors were immediately closed and the men kept at their stations till the order "Abandon ship!" was sounded. The ship-pounded terribly. The boilers went adrift, the fire-room was flooded, and the dynamos rendered useless. The captain and navigating officer were on the bridge at the time of the disaster. The water was perfectly smooth. The officers aud men took to the boats, and reached land after some hardships. Nearly three hundred men lost their belongings, but put ashore with ten day's rations and some arms, as it was expected an attack would be made by the natives. No hostilities were encountered, and the gunboat Helena took the Charleston's complement to Manila. The officers say thp engine-room staff behaved admirably when the ship struck. No part of the ship's fine equipment was saved. It is officially reported that the British Foreign Office is entirely satisfied with the progress of the negotiations with the United States regarding Samoa. There is declared to be no danger of a hitch so fur as the two nations mentioned are concerne,d. Cape Nome is regarded as the most important gold district in the Arctic regions so far discovered. An electric plant for lighting the cars and telephone system are to be put in when navigation opens in the spring, and a great rush of people is expected. Governor Brady, of Alaska, in his annual report, makes a strong plea for the Statehood of Alaska. The Governor states that the territory already libb a large population, brought up and educated in the United States, and Bays that on account of its isolation the country needs fostering and the Government provision of the telegraph aud cable lines. Alaska, he adds, is largp enough for many States, aud would be subdivided in the course of time. There is as yet no settlement of the dispute with Canada as to the boundaries, as Great Britain and America are both busy with more absorbing affairs at present. Neither party seem disposed to give way, but a settlement will be made. The province of Panama, which is apart of the United States and also of Columbia, applied to the United States of America for annexation. It is announced by the State Department that no recognition can be given to the application, as Panama is not recognised as an independent State capable of making such an application. It is announced that the report of the Nicaragua Commission will not be ready for three or perhaps four years. The appropriation of the million dollars for the work will be exhausted before the various routes are examined. The friends of the great waterway hope to posh the matter forward in the approaching session of Congress without waiting for the long-delayed report. Garret A. Hobart^Vice-President of the United States, died on November 21st, at Mb home in Patterson, New Joreey. Mr Hobart suffered for some months with heart disease, but hopes were entertained for his recovery. He was the sixth VicePreßident to die in office. The Secretary of State succeeds'to the Presidential succession, and Senator Frye to the duties of the presiding officer of the Senate.