THE PACIFIC QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5846, 8 February 1887, Page 3

THE PACIFIC QUESTION.

THE WAR RUMOURS. AMERICAN CLiIMS IN NEW ZEALAND. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. THE CORK COUNCIL, TO THE' PRINCE. ["Age" Special's.] LONDON, Jan. 25. • A conference has been held between the Agents-General for the Australian Colonies, at the invitation of Mr Garrick, to consider what steps should be taken in connection with the statements recently made by Monsignor Freppel, in the French Chamber of Deputies, respecting the New Hebrides and other islands in the Pacific. After careful consideration of the subject, the Agents -general arrived at the decision that it would be useless either to protest or take any further action in connection with Monsignor Freppel's statement. A special meeting of shareholders in the new Pacific Cable Company has been convened for Feb. 1, for the purpose of receiving nominations for Directors. Lord Salisbury has promised Sir Graham Berry (Victoria) to notify the European Powers with reference to the Melbourne International Exhibition to be held in 1888. Mr Henniker-Heaton has forwarded a communication to Mr Cecil Raikes, Post-master-General, advocating the introduction of an Imperial Trans-Oceanic penny postage system. The British exhibitors -who intend to be represented at the Adelaide Exhibition have accepted the proposed allotment of Bpace. i Jan. 27. . No further development of the rumored imminent war between France and Germany has taken place, but it has now been | ascertained that the contractors for the j German army have bought up the whole of the Australian preserved meats in the market, to the entire exclusion* of the | French Govern inent, who have ordered 5,000,0001bs weight of preserved meat from Chicago. Rumours of imminent war betwoen Germany and France continue to be «irculated in official circles. The etateuaenta recently published in the Daily News to the effect that war was impending between France and Germany, are reiterated in Austrian newspapers, and confirmed in official circles. In Vienna it is stated that in. all probability Germany will be compelled to anticipate French action, and will take the field almost immediately, in order to prevent France from entering upon the contest fully equipped and prepared for a protracted | contest. Jan. 28. Sir Charles Dilke considers that the conduct of France in reference to the New Hebrides involves a 'justifiable casysJ>eUi. The Committee ot' the Senate, of the United States of America, appointed.. to inquired into the claims of American subjects who acquired land in New Zealand previous to the annexation of the Islands by Great Britain, has requested President. Cleveland to insist upon England indemnifying the claimants. The new Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, the Right Rev , Dc, Thomas Carr, has left for Melbourne vifi Italy. The Address in Reply to the Queen's speech was carried in the House, of Lords after a brief debate. Lord Salisbury .expressed the hope during the. debate, that, the difference which had arisen between Lord Churchill and the Government, would only be of a temporary character,. Referring to the Irish question, Lord Salisbury stated that increased coercion was becoming more and more necessary in Ireland. In the House of Commons the. .debate has been | adjourned. Sir Robert Hamilton, recently appointed Governor of Tasmania, has embarked for hie new seat of Government. The complete return for the ; Exchange, division of Liverpool shows that Mr Goschen was defeated by seven votes. Jan. 30. The Emperor of Germany emphatically denies that there is any present proapecb of war being declared between Germany aad France. The Municipal Corporation of Cork have been invited, by a circuUr, issued in. the name of the Prince of Wales* to subscribe, to tlae funds of the Imperial Institute.. They have declined to. subscribe, and, suggest that the Prince. of Wales should contribute to the relief of the existing distress in Ireland. ; The Hon Mr Childexs^ has consented to aot on the London Committee of the Centennial Exhibition, to be held in Melbourne during 1888. Lord Northbrook's. sgeeoh, delivered in, the House of Lords, supported the pror posed expenditure by. tlae Imperial. Goversr ment on the defences of the coaling stations of Great Britain. German war steajaerß will in future call at Colombo.