CABLE ITEMS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue VI, 9 August 1902, Page 341

CABLE ITEMS.

Lord Beauchamp has joined the Liberal League.

Lord Kitchener, the colonial Premiers and the Agents-General were present at the South African dinner.

Nearly all the Marchioness of Anglesey’s jewels, which were stolen recently, have been recovered.

A proclamation has been issued ordering the transfer of Tientsin to the Chinese on the 15th inst.

A Reuter’s Pekin message states that Chang- Chihtung has been apyc inted Director of Commerce.

The Pahiun tribe, in French Congo, have assassinated M. Langlair, Commander of Police.

Lord Kitchener is gazetted Viscount Kitchener of Khartoum and the Vaal.

Jarrett, an Englishman, riding in a Panhard car, won a motor race in Belgium, covering- 321 miles in shrs. 53min.

Matthew A. Holbein unsuccessfully attempted to swim the English Channel. He was immersed for twelve and a-half hours, and covered 30 miles.

It is believed that the restrictions on the cattle trade from the Argentine to Great Britain will shortly be removed.

The House of Commons, by 183 to 86, voted the West Indies a quarter of a million as a measure of temporary relief for the sugar industry.

Twenty strikers and four policemen were shot in a riot at Shenandoah. The sheriff’s cousin was clubbed to death.

Mr Redmond entertained Sir W. Laurier and Sir E. Barton and others at a dinner- at the House of Commons.

The Misses Seddon are the guests of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll at Inverary Castle.

It is expected that the King- will receive both De Wet and De la Rey in the presence of Lord Roberts and Viscount Kitchener, after the naval review.

Mr Shackleton, labour representative, has been elected unopposed for Clitheroe as successor to Sir U. Kay Shuttleworth, who has been raised to the peerage.

The estate of the late Mr W. H. Sutton, merchant, is valued at £2.096,000. The bulk of the money is left for the purpose of founding model dwellings in London and the provinces.

Colonel Arthur Lyndh, M.P. for Galway, who was recently arrested for fighting on the side of the Boers in South Africa, has been committed for trial on the charge of treason.

Mr Carnegie has bought and presented John Morley with the late Lord Acton’s library, the destination cf which is left to Mr Morley’s discretion.

The Prince of Monaco, who lias made the scientific dredging of the ocean floor a hobby, presented Mr AV. S. Bruce, of the Scottish Antarctic expedition, with a deep sea apparatus.

Mr - Seddon, at a luncheon to the New Zealand rifle team, declared he was determined that New Zealand should be represented annually at the Bisley meeting.

Mr Seddon, addressing'the National Committee of Organised Labour at Walworth, declared that England could easily bear the expenditure of eight millions, the cost of old age pensions, under u scheme like that of New Zealand.

The London Central Markets Cold Storage Conqtany’s Riverside store at Poplar has been opened with a capacity of 160,000 carcases. It is

connected with the Midland railway line and provided with the latest machinery driven by electriciy.

Sir Michael Hicks-Beach and family will attend the Coronation durbar of Indian chiefs at Delhi on January Ist next.

Mr Chamberlain's speech, dealing with the future of South Africa has been well received on the Continent, except the portion dealing with the exclusion of suspects from South Africa.

The American exports to Europe for the year ended June 30 decreased by a hundred million dollars, and the imports increased sixty million dollars, as compared with the previous year. The exports of farm produce were th; items most heavily affected.

Messrs Fischer and Wessels, the one-time Free State peace delegates, met ex-President Steyn on his arrival at Southhampton. He is accompanied by his wife and family. The colonial troops have been commanded to attend Bucking-ham Palace oh the 11th to receive Coronation medals. The New Zealanders sail on the 30th. Lord Rosebery, speaking- at the Liberal League’s dinner, again declared against Home Rule for Ireland, and said: “There never shall be an independent Parliament in Dublin.’’ Numerous earthquake shocks have occurred at Los Alamos, in California. Every brick building suffered and the inhabitants camped in the open. Shocks were also felt at Santa Barbara and Lompoe.

News from the Philippines states that some of the villages in the group have lost one-tenth of their inhabitants through cholera. Many American soldiers also died.

Lord Carrington presided at the Mansion House meeting to raise funds to obtain vessels to bring Norfolk Island produce to Australia.

Lord Lansdowne, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has invited the Chambers of Commerce to send representatives to the Foreign Offley to consider the China treaty of commerce. The latter has been well received in commercial circles.

Religious establishments in fifty Departments of France Lave voluntarily dissolved, expulsion being therefore unnecessary.

The “Figaro’’ estimates the French harvest at 132,000,000 hectolitres, and the hiome consumption at about 128,000,000 hectolitres.

Three South Africans have been arrested in Paris in connection with the robbery of the Marchioness of Anglesey’s jewels.

Tremendous enthusiasm was displayed at the farewell accorded to Madame Melba at Covent Garden Theatre. The piece chosen was “Rigoletto.”

The Commissioners of the 1851 Exhibition have awarded Kenneth Inglis, a New Zealander, of Edinburgh University, and W. T. Cooke, of Adelaide, Science Research scholarships of the value of £l5O a year each.

Germany has arranged a settlement of the diplomatic dispute between Italy and Switzerland, arising out of the comments of a Swiss paper on the assassination of King Humbert.

The Chinese Foreign Office has notified Mr Conger, the American Minister, that the Government troops had killed 400 rioters, in the Szechuan district, and -had restored perfect order.

Immigrants at the Marienbadge plantation, Surinam, in Dutsh Guiana, quarrelled and broke out into riot. The manager was killed and the service of the troops were called

out to quell the disturbance. Thirteen of the rioters were killed and 40 wounded.

The Admiralty has decided to name one of the new British battleships, now being completed, the “New Zealand,” out of compliment to the colony. Another battleship will probably be called the “ Maori.”

Lord Kitchener, in the course of a speech, said he confidently hoped tha sword would never again be drawn in South Africa, which presented potentialities for the making of a new America in the Southern Hemisphere.

Cardinal Gotti. Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, has succeeded the late Cardinal Ledochowski as Prefect of the Propaganda at Rome, and Cardinal Agliardi, Bishop of Albano, succeeds Cardinal Vaunutelli.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Waikato has been towed into Capetown by the steamer .Michigan, which picked her up off the Cape.

The Public Accounts Committee report that the Woolwich Arsenal has wasted a quarter of a million sterling through not utilising the ashes from the brass foundry, containing a great deal of metal.

Intending emigrants will not be allowed to land at Delagoa Bay without depositing £2O. They must have a permit to enter the Transvaal, or procure local employment within a week, otherwise they will be expelled.

The Armstrong-Orling invention of wireless telephones is so greatly improved that an English company is being promoted with a capital of £175,000 to work the invention.

The agricultural labourers in Eastern Galieia have risen against the landed proprietors. Upwards of a hundred thousand are on strike. Some excesses have b een committed, and the landlords are asking that troops be sent to quell the revolt.

British merchants are delighted that Chang Chitung has been appointed High Commissioner of Trade in China, retaining his present viceroyalty. Lord Lansdowne presided at a conference at the Foreign Office, many Lancashire and London merchants being present, to discuss the new Chinese treaty.

Sir E. Barton, replying to a deputation from the Women Suffrage Society, said the success of Women’s Suffrage in several of the Australian States presaged sueess in the remainder.

Siam is sending a special mission to England, France and Germany to endeavour to settle dangerous French problems, chiefly connected with the Siamese frontier. The British and French Ministers at Bangkok will accompany the mission.

At the instance of Sir C. Furness, a large meeting- of ship-owners at Hartlepool protested against the withdrawal of subsidies from those who were required to maintain an efficient mail service.

Catholic demonstrations in Paris yesterday led to violent Socialist counter manifestations. Numerous scuffles occurred, and twenty arrests were made. Disturbances also took place in. several provincial towns, notably in Brittanv.

Howell, one of the cricketers now touring England with, the Australians, lost his mother on Friday week’. His father, who was suffering from influenza, on hearing of his wife'a death, died front shock.

The Nationalists intend to sue thb Irish Landlords’ Trust for damages, alleging that the trust assisted Lord De Freyne in prosecuting them and conspiring by aid of menaces to prevent the aiding of tenants in their lawful efforts to secure land reform.

Colonel M. Forestier-Walker, assistant adjutant-general of the Egyptian forces, has been killed on tha railway line at Helwan Baths, 14 miles from Cairo. The accident, occurred late at night. Col one® Forestier-Walker was trying a short cut to the station along the line when the train overtook him.

Mr Steyn is better for his trip, but is still paralysed in his arms and legs. Being* unable to journey to London he was carried on a stretcher aboard a Dutch steamer, and started for Holland.

His Majesty the King has invested Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny, who served in South Africa, with the Order of K.C.8., and Sir Michael Herbert (the new British Ambassador to Washington) with the order of C.B.

On Saturday Constable Gallagher, while arresting a drunken man at Sydney, was set upon by a crowd, and fired his revolver in self-defence. He shot three men, and one, named Johnston, is in a precarious condition.

Siam asks France to evacuate Chantabun and also prevent irritating invasion rumours. France asks for greater facilities for trade in the Menam Valley and the admission of Frenchmen to administrative posts equally with Britishers and Germans.

At Bologna Palizzolo, Fontana and Trapani, three members of the notorious Mafia Society, have been sentenced to thirty years’ imprisonment each for murdering Immanuel Notarbartolo, the Mayor 'of Palermo, and director of the Bank of Sicily, some nine years ago. Twenty thousand Jews, following the funeral of the Chief Rabbi in New York, were assailed by the workmen from. Hoe’s printing machinery factory. The mourners, in retaliation broke every window* and flooded the factory. A hundred people were injured.

The “Pall Mall Gazette” states that the Admiralty has decided to abandon the use of torpedo nets as a measure of protection for warships, as it has been demonstrated that they can be destroyed by well-direct-ed shell fire.

Lord Rosebery, speaking at the Liberal League dinner, said the result of the election at Leeds (when the Government supporter, Sir A. Lawson, was defeated) was a warning to the Government, and a great blow to their prestige. It also taught the Liberals the value of concentrated effort. The victory was won by the Imperialists.

M. Pelletan (French Minister for Marine), has summarily dismissed Admirals De Keaumont and Servan, the former for criticising Pelletan’s choice of subordinates and parading his mistress at the French national fete; and Servan, for disregarding the sanitation of his flagship.

The War Office proposes to remove the crest of Shakespeare's Cliff, at Dover, on the ground that it interferes with the range of the guns >1 the new battery* at that place. The Dover Corporation is protesting against what it considers would bo an act of vandalism.

Two slight eruptions of Soufriere volcano are reported and an earthquake, accompanied by a tidal wave, north-west of St. Vincent. The cable steamer Newington, working eighteen miles north of the island, reports that the depth of the sea has increased to one and a-quarter miles.

The French and German newspapers consider that the AngloChinese treaty is opening a new epoch in commerce, Great Britain and Russia have agreed to relinquish the appointment of military directors of railways in China, and have also agreed that the Chinese ehall build any line northward of Pekin which no foreign Power controls.

Lord Brassey, in an article to the “Empire Review,” says it is desirable lo concentrate the naval force nearer the chief trade routes and strategical points. This couM be easily done if Grout Britain had more swift vessels carrying mails, and effective as cruisers, but. they could only be obtained by liberal subsidies.

The KsJser has accepted the view of Lieutenant Hildebrand's superior officers that the code of honour compeHed him to fight a duel and kill Ms opponent, Blashowitz, if he could, hence Uesitenant Hildebrand was Mamaless 4n the matter. Hildebrand

received a sentence of two years’ imprisonment on a charge of killing Blashowitz in a duel at Insterburg last November, and the public deprecate a pardon being granted to him.

Mr Renwick, M.P., and other owners of tramp steamers. protest against subsidies to large companies in the Atlantic trade. The steamship section of the Board of Trade, Montreal, protest against the projected subsidy to the Canadian Pacific instead of to some line now engaged in the St. Lawrence trade. Shipping men declare that fast subsidised freight boats will ruin the existing lines.

The U.S.A. Ordnance Department has constructed a time-fuse, whereby a shell from a twelve-inch gun penetrated fourteen inches of Krupp armour before exploding, instead of detonating on impact. This is due to a new high explosive, of diminutive quantity, but exceedingly powerful. The invention is considered the greatest achievement in connection with artillery in warfare since the Krupp process of hardening armour was perfected.

Colonel Cobb’s mounted force surprised the Mad Mullah’s encampment in the Haud region, Somaliland, East Africa. The British chased the enemy* 80 miles, killing a hundred and fifty. Four thousand cattle and 12,0000 sheep were captured. Eight British were killed and four were wounded.

The Posen nobilitv have quitted Berlin and organised funds to assist the peasantry* to counteract the Germanisation of the Poles. In consequence of this condition of affairs the Kaiser has altered his programme on his approaching visit, and enters the city as if Posen were in occupation of the military. Nobody will be allowed to' view the procession from balconies or windows.

The Colonial Office has issued a statement in connection with the recent University Conference with Sir E. Barton and representatives of the Sydney, Tasmania and New Zealand Universities, asserting that the representatives of Oxford express the utmost willingness to meet colonial views and disclaim any* intention of conflicting with the work or claims of other universities. Satisfactory results are anticipated.

The Canadian Steel Corporation, with a capital of 18,000,000 dollars, has been underwritten. It receives a bonus of 5,000,000 dollars and exemption from taxes for 20 years. This corporation is confident it can produce steel 30 per cent, cheaper than Morgan’s Trust.

News has been received from Singapore of a disastrous collision off Malacca, resulting in the sinking of a steamer and the loss of many lives. The Dutch steamer Prins '"A.lexander and the British steamer Ban Hin Yuan collided, the former vessel being sunk. Forty of those on board her were drowned. The Prins Alexander, the vessel which was sunk, was by far the larger of the two steamers. She was an Iron steamer of 3062 tons, whereas the Ban Hin Guan is described in Lloyd's Register as being a vessel of 449 tons. The Prins Alexander, which was built In 1381, was owned in Amsterdam. The other craft, also an iron steamer, is British, and is owned by Lun Ho Puah, of Singapore. She was built in 1878.

A violent debate took place in the Wesleyan Conference over the Rev. Dr. Beet’s views in regard to ercrnal punishment. It was alleged that his views were heretical. After the discussion Dr. Beet’s name was again included in the list of nominations for the position of Professor of Systematic Theology at the Wesleyan College, Richmond. The election will take place later on.

[The Rev. J. A. Beet, D.D., has been Professor ot Systematic Theology at Richmond Wesleyan College for some years past. He was born in 1840, at Sheffield: is an hon. D.D. of the University of Glasgow, and was lecturer at the University of Chicago and at the Chautauqua and Ocean Grove (U.S.A.) Summer Schools, 1896. He has published several theological works.)

The great dam on the Nile, at Assouan, which has been in course of construction for several years past, has been completed. The inaugura-

tion of the irrigation and other works for which it was built has been fixed for this autumn.

[The foundation stone of the great reservoir dam at Assouan was laid by the Duke of Connaught on February 12, 1899. The purpose for which the dam has been built is to increase the supply by controlling the waters of the Nile, and so supply water by irrigation canals to the various districts bordering on the great river in the dry season. Assouan is the southernmost city of Egypt proper, on the right bank of the Nile, and beside the first or lowest cataract. The great reservoir scheme also included the construction of a dam across the Nile at Assiut for the storage of water. The total cost of the works was estimated some time ago at £2,000,000, besides £1,180,000 to be spent on subsidiary canals and drains.]

Mr J. C. Wason has receded from the Unionists and joined the Radicals, owing to the Government Education and Irish‘Land measures.

Mr J. Cathcart Wason is M.P. for Orkney and Shetland In the House of Commons, and has been classed as a Liberal Unionist. A good many years ago he came to New Zealand and settled in Canterbury, and was for some time a member of the House of Representatives.

A Belfast jury awarded Mr Fenton, Crown Solicitor of Sligo, £3500 damages against Mr Mac Hugh, M.P., for libel and conspiracy, through which the plaintiff had been dismissed from the solicittorship to the County Council. •

[A cable message from London, dated June 30, stated that at the Sligo Police Court, on the previous day, Mr P. A. M'Hugh, M.P., Nationalist, for North Leitrim, appeared In answer to a charge of criminal conspiracy and intimidation. Mr M'Hugh. on being charged, asked the magistrates their names. The chairman of the Bench remarked that the question was Intended to obstruct the course of the business of the Court. Mr M'Hugh called the chairman “A damned liar,” and when called upon to apologise declined to do so to “sweeps of their kind.” The Bench thereupon committed Mr M Hugh to gaol for three months for contempt of Court.)

The “Times’ ” Shanghai correspondent states that the Anglo-Chinese commercial treaty embodies radical fiscal reforms. It provides for the reestablishment of the national curthe opening of Kongmun as a treaty port, on the West River, and the assimilation of the mining regulations to those of India and Britain. Facilities are granted to ship-owners to erect or lease w’harves, jetties and premises in the vicinity of inland waters, with right of access. Great Britain undertakes to relinquish extra territorial rights when the reform >f the Chinese judicial system warrants the change. Britain will also participate in the Joint Commission representing China and the Treaty Powers for the investigation of the missionary question, and devising means of securing peaceful relations between Christians and nonconverts. Clause 8, which is awaiting Britain’s assent, abolishes likin in return for a surtax of 14 per cent. The “Times” says the duty is leviable under the protocol of 1901.