TELEGRAPHIC.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11985, 6 February 1903, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

MUSH AND FOREIGN

United Press Association—Per Electri« Telegraph—Copyright. Received 9.51 a.m., February sth. lEISH AFFAIRS. LONDON,. February 4. Mr W. Redmond and Mr John Roche, Irish members of Parliament who received sentences of imprisonment in connection with unlawful assemblies, have been reSTOCK FROM SOUTH AMERICA. The ports of the United Kingdom have been reopened to stock from Argentine and Uruguay. THE UNION COMPANY. The Union Steam Ship Company has purchased the steamer Soarisbrick, and renamed it the Katipo. LORD METHUEN. Lord Methuen has declined the offer of the Governorship of Malta. OFFER DECLINED. Britain has declined Liberia's offer of a coaling station. The offer has been transferred to the United States. THE CHINESE TELEGRAPHS. The Chinese Government have assumed control of the telegraphs to prevent foreigners from penetrating official secrets. SOMALILAND. LONDON, February 5. News has been received that the Italian authorities have arrested the Sheik Yusuf at Obbia, and are conveying him to Aden. The difficulties of transport from Obbia,which were experienced by the Somaliland expedition, are now overcome. The Boer contingent is proving of useful help. NAVAL MATTERS. A presentation which has been made to the Reichstag of a statistical table made by the Kaiser's own hand, comparing the strengths of the British and German navies, is interpreted in England as significant of the Kaiser's ultimate ambition. The " Daily Post" suggests the. building of a British North Sea squadron, comprising eighteen battleships and a new naval harbour on the east' coast. THE NATIONAL LIBERAL CLUB. Lord Carringtpn has been unanimously elected- to the presidency of the National Liberal Club, a post which has been vacant since Mr Gladstone's death. FOOD SUPPLY IN WAR TIME.

11l connection with the recently formed association for promoting an inquiry as to food supply in war time, the Duke of Sutherland presided over a large meeting whereat the Association was duly inaugurated. A deputation was appointed to interview the Government on the subject. Lord Strathcona said that it would be a great relief to the Motherland and the colonies if measures for the security of food in war time were initiated. THE AMEER'S MUNITIONS OF WAR. The " Daily Mail" states that the Indian Government has forwarded to the Ameer of Afghanistan twelve of the detained German quick-firers, two howitzers, eight field pieces, and, eight hundred and fifty cases of ammunition, but have refused to forward two hundred English giins. which arevalued at £24,000. They are technically called; forgings, and are intended to be finished at 'Cabul.

RUSSIA IN THE EAST. ST. PETERSBURG, February 4. I The Minister of Finance has been in- ! structed to rearrange Customs duties in the | Far East, FRENCH GENERAL DISGRACED. PARIS, February 4. General Fournier, commanding the French Army Corps at Clermont, Faraud, indirectly manifested sentiments against the Government. He was censured, and reduced to the command of an infantry division, and placed on half pay in the latter rank. SUICIDE. BUCHAREST, February 4. Macaresco, formerly Roumanian Minister ' of Finance, and latterly vice-director of the - Bank of Agriculture, was about to be arrested in connection with the Parisian frauds of 4 per cent, stocks, but committed suicide by jumping under a train. UNITED STATES POLITICS. 1 . WASHINGTON, February 4. The Committee of the Senate reported favourably on the Panama Canal Bill. It also adopted Senator Elkins' Bill providing for the application of the anti-Trust Bill torailways. AMERICAN.COALING STATIONS. America is pressing Cuba for four coaling stations. Cuba is willing to allow two, Bahiahonda and Guantanamo. INFLUENZA. BERNE, February 4. Eighteen thousand cases of influenza are reported at Basle. MACEDONIA. / CONSTANTINOPLE, February' 4. . The delay,- in the application of the-Austro-Russian reforms in Macedonia is increasing the danger of a widespread in-; snrrectidn in the spring, involving Bulgaria and Servia. Already sanguinary conflicts between Turkish troops and Bulgarian bands are frequent. Received 10.55 p.m., February sth. ADD MACEDONIA ... ...

SOFIA, February 5. Bulgaria challenges an international inquiry into the Porte's statement in reference to bands of troops who are intended to operate in Macedonia.