GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XX, 17 May 1902, Page 946

GENERAL CABLES.

FRANCE AND SIAM

The "Morning Post” asserts that Russia supports the French Minister at Bangkok in demanding the cession of Luang Prabang, on the northern border of Siam, the buffer State between Britain and France in Further India. The independence of Siam is thus jeopardised and Britain’s attention is urgently called to the movement. AMERICA’S NAVY. President Roosevelt, addressing the naval cadets at Annapolis, said the wrong-doers in the Phillipines would be punished, but the American flag would remain. He added that the navy was more responsible for the safety of the Republic than any other branch. The newspapers comment on the sub-conscious note of possible war in the President’s speech, though unaware of the direction from which it is threatening. Mr Lang,Secretary to the Navy, in taking his farewell of the Navy Department, declared that America’s naval programme was insufficient. —e thought they should keep America up to Germany in point of naval strength. THE NAVY. The Admiralty Committee report that the shipbuilding arrears are due, as regards armour plates, to changes in the Harvey process, the time occupied in altering the plant, and to the engineers’ dispute. Deliveries of material are now more rapid and satisfactory. The delays in connection with the torpedo boat destroyers are due to the difficulty in obtaining tubes; also to experiments with n view to realising the contract speeds. The liquidation of two firms also seriously delayed eight of the most important ships. The contracts had to be transferred to other firms, and the arrears are not yet overtaken. In the event of Parliament increasing the naval expenditure it would be practicable from private sources to secure a larger output of shipbuilding, armaments and stores than is now demanded. The report recommends that the Admiralty be empowered to enter into contracts withe out competitive tenders. •

THE SHIPPING COM HINE. The Navigation Syndicate ia considering the erection ot quays and warehouses at Holyhead in order to avoid light charges, pilotage and lighter dues at Liverpool. The British Government is Heinously considering the necessity of granting subsidies. The “Standard" states the colonies would heartily support any well-devised scheme to prevent the loss of maritime supremacy.

A British syndicate is being formed to co-operate with the companies outside the Navigation Trust, or build steamers to replace those hold. It is reported that the Trust will enter into competition with the present lines trading tn the Pacific Ocean, but the “Standard’s” New York correspondent denies that Mr Morgan has purchased the White Star Line’s Australian steamers.

It is reported that Mr. Pierpont Morgan is offering an additional four millions for more first-class Liverpool steamers.

Mr. B< azley, chairman of the Liverpool Steamship Association, states that since 1890 foreigners nave purchased 2,096 British steamers, of a tonnage aggregating 1,836,509. He considers it imperative that the Government should increase the steamship subsidies, and remove a mass of regulations which are harassing British shipping, and recognise the fact that the mercantile marine is a cheap training school for the navy. The New York “Post” asserts that the American railroad companies hope, as a result of the formation of the Navigation Syndicate, to control the rates from the principal points in the interior to the leadiug European centres.

The provisional agreements of the Navigation Syndicate have been published. They organise the corporation under the American laws with a capital' of 60,000,000 dollars ordinary shares; 60 millions preferred shares at 6 per cent., and 50 millions at 5J per eent. The trust debentures are payable in twenty jrpars, but are redeemable by the syndicate after five years at 105. Dividends on ordinary shares are limited to 10 per cent, while debentures are outstanding. The following properties have been acquired: The White Star, its capital, and the business of Ismay and Imrie, except their interest in the Asiatic Steam Company; the Dominion. Line, the American Atlantic Transport Company; and a portion of the Leyland Line. The transfer of the White Star and Dominion Lines must be sanctioned by representatives of 75 per cent, of the capital. The valuation of both lines and Ismay’s business, made by Mr. Richard Mills, is testified to as based on the net profits of the year 1900 with additional cash for expenditure on ship constructing at the end of that year. A quarter of the valuation will be paid in cash, and three-quarters in preferred shares, with the addition of 37J per cent, in ordinary shares. The American and Atlantic lines together receive 18,314,000 dollars in preferred shares, 9,157,000 dollars in ordinary shares, and 15S per cent, cash, paying for new tonnage as required. The Leyland. Line receives 11,735,000 dollars in cash. Ismay and Imrie are pledged to Mr Morgan not to engage in the shipping business between the sea bounds of America, Canada, the West Indies, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Europe for fourteen years. The syndicate’s agreement for 1 a decade gives the firm of Harland and Wolff all the building and repairing to the fullest capacity of the Belfast yards, provided they do not build for competitors apart from the Ham-burg-American line, but the American ship-yards are not debarred. Separate agreements exist between the syndicate and the HamburgAmerican and North German Lloyds, which are not published.

The White Star East Asiatic fleet has been sold outright. The employees are guaranteed that they will not be disturbed 4n their positions for a year. Mr Morgan proposes to form n syndicate to re-purchase from the vendors debentures and fifty million dollars’ worth of shares.

All the ships that sail under the British colours will have their names

still registered in the British register, but the majority of the proprietors will be Americans.

The “Standard” states that a question of technical validity will arise.

The “St. James’ Gazette” states that the nation regards the evolution of the syndicate with resentment and distrust. Four of the finest lines of British steamers have passed to American control. The Government ought to rectify the greatest blow ever inflicted on the British mercantile supremacy. THE PHILLIPINES. THE ALLEGED AT ROC, ITT. ES. A Reuter message from Manila says that Colonel Woodruff presented a remarkable defence In justification of the alleged barbarous treatment of the Filipino natives, and complained of factious hysteria on the part of the American public. The “Times” states that Senator Lodge is submitting to the American Senate numerous cases of Filipinos slowly torturing American soldiers to death. A Reuter message states that the Hon. E. Root, the American Secretary of War, considers General Smith’s methods in Samar Island and at Batangas were most humane and effective.

It is explained that Mr. Root, American Secretary for War. in saying that General Smith’s methods in Samar and Bartargas. Philippine Islands, were humane and effective, did not refer to General Smith’s admissions, but to the. measures of retaliation for acts of treachery. He declares tlere is no record of the orders alleged by Major Waller. General Smith’s official orders were based on the general army order. CONTINUED FIGHTING. The Americans, with four guns and 470 rifles, assaulted the principal fort of the piratical Moros, or Mahommedan Malays, on the west side of Mindanao Island, the southernmost of the Philippines. A sharp hand-to-hand struggle took place in the high grass. There were found to be four lines of ditches under the fortress walls. These were carried by the American troops. The Sultans of Vaijan and Pandopatau, with a hundred followers, were killed, and 84 survivors surrendered. The Americans sustained fifty-one casualties. CHINA AFFAIRS The foreign Ministers in Pekin insist upon China instantly suppressing the Chingtingfu rebellion, covering a radius of 50 miles. The rebellion is attributed to the heavy indemnities demanded for the massacres of Catholic missionaries. A French priest has been murdered and his head carried on a pole. Another is missing. Japan is pressing for compensation for the deaths of Japanese killed in Korea during recent years. The “Standard’s” Tientsin correspondent states that 40,000 well-armed insurgents are renewing their attacks on churches and missionaries in the Chili Province- The troops have failed to suppress the rising. The officials seek to pacify the rebels by gifts of money. The Chinese rebels, with modern field guns, bombarded the town of Nanning Fu, killing 350 of the inhabitants. THE CRISIS IN RUSSIA. Revolutionary demonstrations occurred at Ekaterinoff. The Cossacks killed 20 of the rioters and wounded 40. One hundred and fifty were arrested. The peasants raided the State granary at Turkalinsk, near Tomsk, dispersing and killing many of the police.

A hundred peasants had died of famine before the people rose in revolt. Martial law has been proclaimed in five districts in Poltava.

The “Morning Leader” states that 500 infantry at Poltava declined to fire on a crowd, including women and girls, who were armed with reaping hooks and hay forks. The troops declared they would not shoot wo-

men. All were court - martialled Every tenth man was shot and the remainder degraded and sentenced to penal servitude. An army order declared that the troops should be soldiers first and citizens afeerwards, and that they must shoot straight as if they were on the battlefield.

The “Standard’s” Odessa correspondent says that M. Plehve, the new Russian Minister of the Interior, has been invested with larger powers than those held by M. Sipiaguine, his predecessor, who was recently assassinated. M. Plehve favour liberal measures of internal reform. Twelve thousand Poles demonstrated at Warsaw. The eavalry and [wlice charged them, killing several and wounding a hundred. Signs of grave discontent continue throughout the country, but the Government, with the aid of the military, are mercilessly putting down all demonstrations on the part of the people. Another demonstration on thq part of the peasantry has occurred in the Poltava district, in South Russia. but the officials and troops most savagely suppressed it. Artillery waa brought into use, and the gathering was fired on with terrible effect. Seventy-six peasants were killed and two hundred wounded. The police and Cossacks brutally knouted three hundred people. Thirty five peasants were whipped to death.