ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 101, 31 December 1897, Page 2

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

PROPOSED REDUCTION IN POSTAL RATES. Ottawa, December 27. The Canadian Government, at the request of Mr Chamberlain, has abandoned the proposed reduction in postal rates. Mr Chamberlain suggests that an international postal conference should be held to discuss the matter. BEHRING SEA FISHERIES. London, December 26. The indemnity paid to Great Britain by the United States in respect of the Behring Sea claims amounts to 857,000 dollars (/171,000), with interest at the rate of 7 per cent., extending over a period of years. THE SOUDAN. Cairo, December 27. Nine hundred Egyptian troops have entered Kassala in Eastern Soudan. The Native levies at Kassala have captured the Dervish post at Atbara, The latter suffered heavy losses. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE. Chicago, December 27. The Colosseum where the exhibition of manufactures was being held was destroyed by fire. During the progress of the fire nine employees were killed and 40 injured. The damage amounts to 700,000 dollars. THE TRANSVAAL. Pretoria, December 28. Mr ]. G. Kotze, Chief Justice of the Transvaal, has enquired of President Kruger why the promised measure revising the constitution of the republic is not forthcoming. Pretoria, December 29. In the course of a speech President Kruger made a fierce attack upon Mr Cecil Rhodes, whom he stigmatised as Transvaal's greatest opponent. President Kruger has declined to extend the franchise to men married in England or Germany.