CONTINENTAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4611, 6 February 1883, Page 3

CONTINENTAL.

The French Government introduced into fcht Ohuabm » cwdit of I^7fc,ooo' franc*

for De Brazza's expedition to Congo. He considers it possible to complete the exploration of the Upper Congo in two years. The Chamber of Deputies has adopted a Bill granting subventions to publio" sohools. De Lesseps announces a scheme for the oreation of an inland sea in Africa, to be proseouted by private enterprise. The Bonapartiitß held a banquet at Beauvais, the objeot of the meeting being to proclaim Prince Victor Napoleon President of the Bepublio. Tuesday, Jan. 9. being the anniversary of the death of Victor Kmanuel, 400 persons, headed by the Mayor of Borne, plaoed wreaths on his tomb. Count Von Wimpffen, Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to France, killed himself at Paris, in the Avenue Varcau, by blowing hie brains out. Opinion is about equally divided as to the cause— insanity or finanoial embarrassment. The floods in the Rhine made terrible ravages, and many districts will never regain their former prosperity. On Jan. 9, Baab, on the Danube, was submerged, and many persona were drowned. General Ohanzy died of rupture of a blood vessel in the head while asleep. On hearing of his death, General de Haldan died at Liile of apoplexy. Prince Bismarck's appearance in the Beiohstag on Jan. 9 evoked general sympathy. He seemed weak and in pain, and it is doubted -whether he will be able to attend the sitting of the Beiohstag in May. A petition signed by 6000 persons has been presented to the Beiohßtag BBking that the closing of commercial and industrial establishments on Sunday be enacted by law. The Paris Sappel of Jan. 16, ridicules the unveiling of the statue of the Prince Imperial by the Prince of Wales, stigmatises the English nation as a herd of cattle, and the English army as an "army of women." The rest of the Parisian journals also join in spiteful remarks. "

A ukase by the Czar dissolves all Secret Societies in his dominions.

The Emperor and Empress of Russia arrived at tit Petersburg on Jan. IS, and immediately visited Easau fortress afad Cathedral. Deteotives and spies were in* erected in every direotion. The Province of Murioa, in Spain, was shaken by earthquake on Batu?day, Jan. 13. The losses by floods in Geijusny sre estimated at 80,000,000 marks. The representatives of the variouß Paris newspapers have resolved to organise a theatrical performance for the benefit of the sufferers by floods in Alsace and Lorraine. Edwin Booth, the American actor, was successful in his rendering of Hamlet at Berlin on Jan. 11. Ihe house fairly resounded with applause. On the day following General Ohanzy's death the morning papers said : "France has lost her greatest strategist." Bef erring to the death of M. lion Gambetta 1 the Emperor of Germany ib reported to have said on New Year's morning : "We have one peaoe breaker the less." It is generally noted that the tone of the German Press, in commenting on the death of the general as well as that of the statesman, is one of ill-disguised satisfaction, varied in some instances with outspoken brutal exultation. A Berlin despatch, dated Jan. 4, says : — "The report that the Emperor William will abdicate on his eightieth birthday in favour of the Grown Prince is generally believed." The Common Council of Vienna haß approved a soheme for the embankment of the Danube, costing 16,000,000 florins. The Bishop of Metz deolineß the deooration of the Iron Cross aooorded by the Emperor William because he wants to keep aloof from politics. The Danube overflowed its banks during the week ending Jan. 2, and great mischief was the consequence. All traces of quays and banks are lost. The race course in Vienna was flooded as far as the exhibition buildings ; in fact, the floods in Europe at the opening of the year, took the form of a great public catastrophe. Pesth, Paris, Mayence, Wiesbaden, Dusaeldorf, Mannheim, and many other places, have suffered great damage. Ten thousand persons were rendered homeless in the districts near Worms— Boo at Ludorfshaven; 2000 at Mannheim ; and 2000in Worms. The Danube rose to the height of 470 centimetres, and theßhines76. Direot railway ser.vice between Switzerland, Franoe and Italy was interrupted. Bobberies of houses in Mayence abandoned during the flood were frequent In franco the Seine inundated several villages, and thirty-two houses fell at Song Pierre. The Seine reaohed the level of the December floods. The Empress of Germany Bent 10,000 thalers to the Mayenoe sufforers, and a house to house collection has been commenced throughout the German Empire in aid of the sufferers. The Prussian Government granted £25,000 for relief, and the Government of Hesse gave the same amount. Subscriptions in Prussia have reaobed £175,000. Large sums have been forwarded from England and America. On Jan. 5 the Emperor thar.ked the Municipal Council of Berlin for their New Year's congratulations, and expressed a hope that the steady development and progress of trade for the past year of peace would be continued undisturbed.