Home and Foreign.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVI, Issue 4019, 24 February 1909, Page 3

Home and Foreign.

THE INDISCREET KAISER. Berlin, February 23,

The Kaiser has been severely criticised in Berlin for sending a telegram, without Prince von Buelow’s knowledge, to Prince von Radolin, German Ambassador in Paris, thankj ing him warmly for concluding the ! Moroccan treaty, which he stated had rendered King Edward’s visit more cordial. The Imperial Chancellor, speaking at a banquet on Saturday, stated that he and M. Jules Csmbon, French Ambassador to Beilin, had settled the Moroccan agreement, implying that Prince von Radolin had nothing to do with the negotiations. Paris, February 23. Tbs French Press is utilising the Kaiser’s telegram to Prince von Radolin to prove the Kaiser’s friendly inclinations towards France, which are, the newspapers assert, thwarted by Prince von Buelow. AN EMPIRE ARMY, London, February 22. Mr R. B. Haldane, Secretary for War, in a speech at Newcastle, declared that Canada was able to raise easily five or six divisions of Territorials for her own defence and for the assistance of the Empire. The Times says that in an emergency Australia might produce five, New Zealand one, and South Africa four or five divisions of Territorial forces, which, aided by Britain* fourteen second line divisions and sixteen first line divisions, would give the Empire the equivalent of twenty-three army corps. The Times adds that Germany also has twenty-three army corps. Official correspondence relating to the formation of an Imperial General Staff has been published. Only Canada has as yet replied, giving general acceptance and expressing satisfaction at the fact that local control will be safeguarded. A BURNING STEAMER. Buenos Ayres, February 22. The steamer President Roca, running between Buenos Ayres and Southern Argentina, caught fire while at sea. Attempts to suppress the outbreak proved futile, and the vessel burned to the water’s edge and then sank. Meantime the boats had been swung out and the passengers and crew, to the number of 370, were got aboard them. Of the iota! 20 were drowned before the shore was reached, the other 350 being saved. FRENCH NAVY. Paris, February 22. The Minister for Finance, M. Caillaux, refuses to agree to the credit asked for by the Minister for Marine, M. Picard, of a million francs for the reorganisation of the Navy. i M. Caillaux alleges that the scheme contains the germ of a new programme, which the Treasury cannot finance, and further, he allegesjthat the naval accounts are faulty. PERSIA. Teheran, February 23. Three bomb throwers were arrested in the bazaar at Teheran. One was cut in half and hanged at the entrance of the Shah’s residence in the suburbs. The others will lie executed today or tomorrow, with a view of impressing the revolutionaries. THE AMERICAN FLEET. New York, February 23. Thirty thousand welcomed Admiral Sperry’s fleet, which President Roosevelt reviewed. % New York, February 23. ML The correspondent of the Times reports that the estimate of the total cost of Admiral Sperry’s cruise, including ammurition, is placed at £4,000,000. DOUBTFUL LAND DEALINGS. Melbourne, February 23. The State Cabinet has agreed to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into charges against Sir Thomas Bent, ex-Premier of Victoria, in connection with a number of land transactions in W’hich he was interested while Premier. HIS MAJESTY THE KING. London, February 23. King Edward visits Biarritz on April Gth. His Majesty has directed that the Cullinan diamond in the Imperial Crown be made detachable for the Queen’s use on State occasions. AUSTRA LI AN FOOTBA LLERS. London, February 23. The Australian professional footballers suffered another defeat yesterday, when they were beaten by Barrow by a goal and three tries, 11 points, to a try, three points. MISCELLANEOUS. London, Februray 23. The Supplementary Estimates presented to Parliament add £910,000 to the original Estimate's of £1,200,000 for old age pensions for the first quarter’s payments. The battleship Betlerophon has been placed in commission twentysix months after the keel was laid at Portsmouth.

Vast snowdrifts have stopped traffic between Kietf and Odessa. Mrs McKenna, wife of the First Lord of the Admiralty, launched the battleship Vanguard at Barrow. Duncan Johnston was again remanded. He is further charged with uttering forged endorsments on a

cheque for £250. The barque Beechdale, for Newcastle, was wrecked near Limpopo. There was one fatality. Berlin, February 23.

Fifty thousand acres along the Elbe and Have! country arc still inundated, and 80 towns and villages are under water. Ice-breakers and dynamite are being used day and night to break the ice on the Elbe.

St. Petersburg, February 23. I The Czar has dissolved the Finnish Diet owing to its demand for the right of free speech in addressing the Throne. A powerful bomb was discovered in the courtyard of Prince Hornia- ; hotf’s residence. j The ignition of a cinematograph i apparatus created a panic in the audience at Tula, and 14 were killed. Constantinople, 'February 23. Turkey is reorganising the police force of the whole Empire on the I Macedonian model. Many foreign | oflicers will be employed.