TELEGRAPHIC.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2890, 15 December 1898, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

BRITISH & FOREIGN. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. Received December 14th, 9.20 a.m. THtt GERMAN REICHSTAG. Berlin, December 13. Speaking in the Reichstag, Herr Von Bulow declared that Germany had not sought to attain special influence in Con* stantinople through the great victory achieved by the Emperor's visit. In answer to questions, he said that Germany would gladly co-operate with Great Britain, and denied that the recent speech of Count Thun, the Austrian Premier, had in any way affected the Triple All iance. He pointedly included Italy in the Triple Alliance. THE NIOARAGUAN CANAL. New 'Y.obk, December 13. The Nicaraguan canal is estimated to cost 115,000,000 dollars. A Bill has been introduced into the United States Congress which insures control throughout the shore lines without exercising any sovereignty. Received December 14th, 9.35 a.m. THE PLAGUE. Tamatave, December 13. Owing to the outbreak of the plague, General Gallien, the French Com-mander-in-Chief has dismissed thousands of naryies engaged in roadmaking. / FORTIFICATIONS ON THE FORTH. London, December 13. The British Government have bought land agjoining the Forth Bridge, for the purpose of erecting fortifications. ANARCHISTS. A number of Anarchists, fearing the result of the Anti- Anarchist Conference sitting in Rome, have arrived in England Received December 14th, 9.40 a.m. VACCINATION. The annual report of the Local Government Board states that one-third of the children of Great Britain escape vaccination, thus preparing the country for widespread epidemics such as have been unknown during the present generation. ROCJGEMONT DENOUNCED. Rougemont lectured at Brighton. At the close Mr Ogden, a Sydney Justice of the Peace, gave details of the acccident to the diving machine at Sydney, in which Rougemont, under the name of Grien, was interested, and by which the diver lost his life. He denounced Grien as a polished liar. Received December 14th, 11 p.m. CRETE. A Reuter's despatch states that the admirals quit Crete on the 26th instant, but declare that Prince George's amnesty must not be allowed to apply to prisoners sentenced for participation in the Candia massacre. THE DREYFUS CASE. The Daily Neios states that a plot has been discovered that the League of Patriots contemplated overpowering the escort and kidnapping Captain Dreyfus, on his arrival at the end of January. The League communicated their design to the officers of an army corps, one of whom informed M. de Freycinet who in turn arranged to defeat the plot. Received December 14th, 11.25 p.m. THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. December 14. Sir William Vernon Harcourt in a dignified letter to Mr John Morley has resigned the leadership of the House of Commons. He considers that the disputed leadership was beset by distracted sections and conflicting interests, which made the position impossible. He declined to be a candidate for any contested position. Mr Morley, in reply, sympathetically endorsed Sir W. V. Harcourt's action. He was not surprised that the situation had become intolerable, and that Sir W. V. Harcourt was indignant at the leadership being so incessantly challenged. The newspapers are uncertain whether to regard the resignation as final, or a clever coup to rally the party. Mr Campbell Bannerman, Mr Asquith, and Mr Fowler are mentioned as probable successors. Received December 14th, 11.30 p.m. THE ASHES OF COLUMBUS. Havana, December 14. The ashes of Columbus have been disinterred at Havana, where they were placed on board a cruiser bound to Spain. MEDIATION. Rome, December 14. At Mangascia's request Italy will mediate with King Menelik on his behalf. Paris, December 13. Major Esterhazy has offered to give , evidence in connection with the Dreyfus case, on condition that he is granted a safe conduct. He states that,, he wishes, to defend the honour of his own children and Colonel Henry.