NEWS BY CABLE.

Southland Times, Issue 14287, 2 March 1899, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

British and Foreign RUSSIAN INTRIGUE IN ; CHINA. THE PEACEFUL OZAR STRENGTHENING HIS NAVY. CENTRAL AFRICAN TELEGRAPH. SLIGHT RISE IN WHEAT. i —— SILVER COINAGE IN AUSTRALIA. THE ORLEANIST CONSPIRACY. SHUNTER’S SAFETY TO BE PROVIDED FOR. A HERESY HUNT. LOST: A COMMANDANT OF FORCES. SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE POPE. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) . LONDON, Feb. 28, The inability of Sir Claude McDonald to prevent the appointment of Ohang-Yi to the directorship of the Northern Railway Company "was due to Russia’s protest against the terms of the Niu-Chwang railway extension loan which provide that the engineer for the line shall be a British subject. Several Germans have been assaulted by the Chinese at Tientsin. Four Russian torpedo boats are being built by Prussian builders at Elbing, which will have a speed of 27 knots.

Lientenant-Colonel Kitchener has started from Omdurman for England.

Russia is accusing the Tsung-li-Yamen of having committed a breach of faith contravening the RussoChinese agreement. The Times says China must be compelled to keep faith with British investors.

Consequent on the hostile attitude of Italy, it has been decided not to invite the Pope to the Police Conference.

In the House of Commons, Sir John Brodrick, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, announced that Major Martyr, who is on special service in Uganda, is erecting telegraph posts along the right bank of the Nile for the purpose of connecting Uganda with the Egyptian Soudan.

Oxygen is being used to sustain Kipling’s respiration. The doctors consider there is a gleam of hope of his recovery. Archbishop Ireland has repudiated the doctrines of Father Hacker, founder of the American Paulists, which were condemned by the Pope. Archbishop Ireland will shortly be made a Cardinal.

Wheat at Mark Lane is sixpence dearer on the week. In the House of Commons Mr Hanbury, Secretary to the Treasury, referring to the proposal of the Australian mints to coin silver, said if the concession was granted the estimated loss to the Imperial revenue would be L 20,000 yearly. The practical difficulties in the way were, he said, mainly connected with an inadequate safeguard against the over issue of silver and the withdrawal of worn coins. The Treasury, he stated, were awaiting until it received the Australasian proposals regarding the points referred to.

Papers seized at the headquarters of the Orleanists at Paris contain details of the organisation of the intended future Government and lists of officials and magistrates, some of whom are now in office. Several Paris newspapers allege that foreign sovereigns supplied funds for the supposed coup. *’*’

The United States Government' is disposed to meet Germany half-way in reference to the Samoan difficulty. Received Ist, 10.20 p.m.

Rudyard Kipling has been overwhelmed with cables expressing sympathy with him in his illness. Among others, messages have been received from Mr Chamberlain, Lord Tennyson, the new Governor of South Australia, Ruskin and many eminent, literary men.

In the House of Commons, Mr Ritchie, President of the Board of Trade, introduced the'Railway Accidents Prevention Bill, which compels railway companies to provide automatic couplings by 1904. The bubonic plague has been eradicated from Madagascar. Mak. 1. Received 2nd, 12.45 a.m. Baron Bulow said that owing to a anti-foreign agitation in South Shantung, Germany had urged China to be vigilant. Afterwards an outrage occurred at Tientsin, and Germany warned the Pekin authorities of the grave consequences if the offenders were not punished, or if there was any recurrence of the outrage. The Senate adopted the preamble of M. Lebret’s bill by a majority of 30 votes. M. Lebret desires a full sitting of the Court of Cassation, with public sittings. Rudyard Kipling’s condition is less favourable.

The English Church Union has memorialised the Queen and Parliament affirming the Church’s independence of Parliament and Courts on matters of doctrine and ceremony. Baron Bulow, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in addressing the Budget Committee of the Reichstag, said that Britain, in February, 1898, communicated a draft of an extensive commercial treaty. Germany forwarded a counter draft last summer, but no reply was received thereto. A secret Anglo-German arrangement adopted in the autumn, related to future contingencies. He hoped for a friendly settlement of the Samoan difficulty. The Tripartite control had not answered expectations. It was clear that a separation of the island would be preferable. In the meantime, Germany would adhere to the present Act.

The Pope was taken suddenly ill, with a pain in his side ns the result of a . chill, tie is confined to his bed and is feversh. He had a prolonged fainting fit, luring yesterday afternoon. A specialist has been summoned. Australian. SYDNEY, Mar. 1. It is arranged that the Federal debate shall end to-night, The Rev. J. Gardiner has been elected President of the Wesleyan Conference. Received 2nd, 10.45 p.m. The Government statistician estimates the population of Australia and New Zealand at the end of last year, at 4,476,995, increase of 1.52 per cent, compared with the previous year. Victoria showed a slight decrease. The s.s. Hauroto brings news that affairs in Samoa are quiet. Moore, who was cited for contempt has apologised to the Chief Justice in Open Court. Von Bulow, cited on a similar charge, elected to be tried by the Civil Court. Some of. the leading chiefs and native magistrates, who support Mataafa are acting high handedly towards Malietoa’s followers by fining them heavily. The Supreme Court intervened in one or two cases. MELBOURNE, Mar. 1. The girl Dubberke who, at her own request,, had been remanded to gaol for protection, has now gone up country. The Rev. Hy. Greenwood has been elected President of the Wesleyan Conference.

Received 2nd, 10.45 p.m A heresy hunt is pending against the Rev. Hector Ferguson, of Northcote Presbyterian Church, for writing a book entitled, “ Spiritual Law through the natural World.” Ferguson informed his congregation that the number of ministers who would stand up in defence of some of the doctrines taught in the Confession of Faith was very small. He said he was one of the many who had outgrown it by insensible degrees. The Defence Department is seeking to find Sir Charles Hoile d Smith,

who is at present in New Zealand on a holiday. A difficulty, in regard to unauthorised leave to an officer, is awaiting the return of the Commandant for settlement. The Minister of defence, cabled to Smith’s temporary address in New Zealand, asking him to return to Melbourne at once, but no reply was received. ADELAIDE, Mar. 1. In the House of Assembly Premier Kingston moved the second reading of the Federal Enabling Bill. He strongly recommended the amendments on the original Bill, and pointed out the sacrifices other colonies had made. He said federation was close at hand. Sid. Cavill won the thousand yards championship. Time, 15 min. l-16th sec. PERTH, Mar. 1. Fox has been committed for trial for the murder of his wife at Cleremont.