GENERAL ITEMS.

Colonist, Volume XLIII, Issue 9692, 23 January 1900, Page 2

GENERAL ITEMS.

The Detention of German Ships. .Berlin, January 21. Herr von Bulow, Minister for Foreign Af» fairs, in ..the Beiohstag explained that com* manders of British war vessels had been in* structed not to interfere with German vessels on ithe mere snspicion that they wert carrying contraband, and that an indemnity had been offered for the wrongful deten* tion of the vessels previously Beized. A Day of Intercession Recommended* London, January 21. The Bishops of the Anglican Church have recommended the Archbishops to set apart Septuagesima Sunday (11th February) as a day of intercession for the welfare of the nation and its troops. British Artillery Equal to any. A great controversy is going on in the British press on the question of the strength of the British artillery. " The Times," which was one of the fore* most critics of the ordnance equipment, now admits that the British field guns are equal to those of any Continental Power. Explanation of Foreign Minister Received with Displeasure. The British Press is displeased with the almost minatory (or menacing^ tone of Herr von Bulow's speech. The ' Times' says that it is unwise for Germany to too far exploit delicate international questions in furtherance of her big Navy bill. Commander of Eighth Division. Major-General Sir Henry M. L. Bundle, now commanding the South Eastern District of England, with head-quarters at Dover, has been appointed to command the Eighth Division of the South African Army Corps which is now being mobilized.