TELEGRAPHIC

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12021, 21 March 1903, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC

[ British and foreign United Press Association—Per Elecfrw Telegraph—Copyright. Received 8.54 a.m., March 20th. DISTRESS IN FINLAND. ST. PETERSBURG, March 19. American contributions totalling £25,000 sterling averted heavy mortality inNorthern Finland amongst 100,000 people dependent on relief. Their sufferings are terrible, but the worst is expected when the thaws in April render the country inaccessible. THE SAXONY MANIFESTO. BERLIN, March 19. The strong language employed by the King of Saxony in his manifesto was intended as a reply to calumnies, and toeliminate the germs of estrangement between the people and the dynasty. GERMANY'S EXPENDITURE IN CHINA. The Reichstag has reduced Germany's military expenses in connection with China to three million marks. THE BALKANS. In the Reichstag Count von Bulow said that Germany was co-operating in the maintenance of the present distribution of power in the Balkans, and did not intend topull chestnuts out of the fire. FRENCH RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS. PARIS, March 19. The Chamber of Deputies gave M. Combes, the Premier, a majority of 43in rejecting applications for the authorisation of twenty-five educational religious confraternities. M. Combes emphasised, the fact that the general elections favoured the suppression of religious associations which threatened a counter revolution. M. Combes' speech has been ordered to be placarded throughout France. THE ADEN HINTERLAND. LONDON, March 19. The " Times " says that the Sultan is yielding to the demands of Sir N. R. O'Conor, British Ambassador at Constantinople, and has issued an irade practically settling the Aden Hinterland difficulty. ALIEN PRISONERS IN ENGLAND. An official return shows that there were 625 aliens in the English and Welsh prisons on March 2nd. They represented 3 per cent, of the prison population. One hundred and two had received sentences of five years and upwards. The maintenance of aliens in prison costs the country £30,000 per annum.

A ROYAL-VISIT TO INDIA. It is expected, that the Prince and Princess of Wales will visit India in OctoA SULTAN'S PURCHASE. The Sultan of Morocco has purchased an estate at Bungay,- because it is near to Sjandringhanr. THE PANAMA CANAL BILL. The " Times'" New York correspondent ..says the abrogation of the Clayton-Buiwer treaty largely helped the ratification of the Panama Canal Bill. Received 10.26 p.m., March 20th. THE IMPERIAL BIUGET. LONDON, March 20. The British Budget will be delivered after Easter. A CONTRADICTION. The British Government have contradicted the Bombah rumours. THE WAR COMMISSION. General Baden-Powell gave evidenca oe:fore Lord Elgin's War Commission with reference to the Mafekisg siege. SENTENCED TO DEATH. Klosowski, alias Chapman, has been sentenced to be hanged for poisoning the women Marsh, Sprnks, and Taylor. Justice Grantham when sentencing" him, animadverted on the carelessness of the doctors. His Lordship added that the discovery of the crimes was dun to the efforts of Marsh's parents. ACCIDENT TO THE NIWARU. The Niwaru grounded -at Las Pamas and three of her propeller blades were broken. She proceeded on the vovace to London. ROBBERY AND SUPPOSED MURDER. Samuel Herbert Dorgsl. ;;n army pensioner, was charged at Saffron W;.Men with forging a cheque and embezzling the moneys of Miss Camille Holland, a wealthy lady * with whom Docgal lived at Moat Farm, Clavering. She mysteriously disappeared in 1899. The police are now dragging the moat in the vicinity of the house. THE NEW SWISS TARIFF. BERNE, March 19. The Swiss tariff, which is avowedly a weapon to fight the German tariff, has been sanctioned as a result of a referendum, / the voting being 326,600 for, and 222.5C0 against. THE VENEZUELAN CLAIMS NEW YORK. March 13. It is reported that a Caracas syndicate is arranging to pay the Venezuehm claims ;without reference to the Haeue tribunal, if som9 guarantee is obtainable. Germany supports this course, while Mr Bowen and Mr Hav oppose it. THE CASE OF WHITAKER WRIGHT. Whitaker Wright's application for bail was refused.

A STARTLING ORDER BELGRADE. March 19. King Alexander of Servia has ordered four officers, including the late Minister of War, to challenge Professor Borislavevics to a duel to the death for accusing officers •f obtaining promotion by servility to Queen Draga.

THE CUBAN TREATY. WASHINGTON, March 20. The Senate by 52 votes to 16 votes ratified the Cuban Treaty with a proviso precluding a further reduction of the sugar duty for five years. The Senate also made another amendment which will require the assent of the House of Representatives