["Telegraph "Specials.]

West Coast Times, Issue 6416, 14 February 1887, Page 2

[" Telegraph " Specials.]

London, Jan. 25, On Sunday last Port Hamilton was formally handed over by the British Government to China. Port Hamilton is an islind coaling station lying to the south of the Corean Peninsula It was for some time held by England 89 a station for the protection of British commerce against a Rus-iau attack in the Chinese and Pacific waters When the British fl'g was planted on Port Hamilton by Admiral Lowell, it was dearly understood that the occupation should only be of a temporary character, and explicit guarantees to that effect were given by Lord Granville, then Secretary of dtate for Foreign Affairs, conditionally on Corea's neutrality being assured. China has now obtained a promise from Russia that the integrity of the Corea will be preserved, and the British Government being satisfied with this assurance, evacuates Port Hamilton. January 28.

Dfiepite official denials, the danger of a European war has not been averted. Politicians familiar with the course of events on the Continent state that the sole question to be settled is the date of the struggle which is to be between France and Germany. France is ceaseless in her preparations, and the frontier is being enormously strengthened. Germany, tar • dily roused, has ordered the erection of huge barracks on the German side, and additional troops will prac'iae with the repeating rifles at long ranges. January 31. The remains of the late Archbishop Vaughan, of New South Wales, which have lain unburied for a considerable time, owing to a dispute as to the place of burial and the payment of the expenses which might be incurred, have been interred at Belmont, on the River Wye, near Hereford, where he died. The expenses, which amounted to £10 (?), have been charged t) Cardinal Moran, of Sydney. Hanlan has addressed another letter to Beach, in which he asks the champion to again state his intentions as to the pro. posed match between them for the sculling championship of the world, so that he may be able to make arrangements.

Renewed riots have broken oat in Belfast. Some soldiers are said to hare

lnaulted the Catholics on Saturday, and an encounter took place between them. On bunday night rioting was resumed on a more extensive scale. The police intervened, but finding their efforts to restore order ineffectual, fired on the mob. It was originally reported that 30 persons were lulled and wounded, but late information has shown these statements to be exaggerated. There was nu one killed, but many were injured.