GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XVI, 18 October 1902, Page 982

GENERAL CABLES.

THE AMERICAN COAL STRIKE. Mr Stone, Governor of Pennsylvania, says he is determined to maintain order, even if he calls the entire militia out. The mine owners declare they have workers enough if (protected. The “Tribune” says the Pennsylvania coal-strike resulted in 30 murders, 42 persons were severely injured, 12 houses were damaged, 69 riots occurred, and 9 trains were wrecked. Forty-three thousand troops are stationed in Pennsylvania strike districts. It is reported that Roosevelt intends to nationalise vast coal regions. Two hundred thousand tons of Welsh coal are being despatched to New York and Boston at enhanced prices, owing to the coal strike in Pennsylvania. A hundred thousand tons of Newcastle coal have been sold on American account, and 20,000 additional are under negotiation. A cargo of Welsh coal sold in New York at 15 dollars a ton. President Roosevelt offered, if the strikers resumed work, to secure a commission to investigate their claims. He said he would strive to effect a settlement of their claims on the basis of the report of such commission. Mitchell, the miners’ representative, refused the offer, considering it too indefinite. the Miners’ Federation of Southport has voted £IOOO for the relief of the American strikers. At a mass meeting of Pennsylvania coal miners, it was determined to stand firm. Two hundred and sixty of the Pennsylvanian Miners’ Unions have endorsed the delegate Mitchell’s attitude in declining President Roosevelt’s offer to get a commission appointed. Only fifty unions were silent The miners threaten to hang some of the coal-owners to lamp-por-.cs. Mitchell, the miners’ representative, declares that the people of America have next word in the dispute, and the side they condemn must yield. He believes they will decide in favour of the miners. He has informed President Roosevelt that the responsibility for the continuance of the strike rests with the mine-owners, who are refusing arbitration. Mitchell emphasises the absence of any law enforcing the findings that may be preferred by the proposed Commission on the coal owners. The latter declare that they will resist Mitchell to the bitter end. Meyers, the president of the Western Federation of Miners, proposes to order out the miners in the West Mississippi and in Canada, if Mitchell (president of the Miners’ Union) calls out the bituminous coal workers. Mitchell is considering the proposal. There is increased mortality amongst the children in Montreal owing to the scarcity of fuel. The municipality is supplying wood to the town. A senator named Forget has given £IOO,OOO to the fuel fund. The Government is transporting free Nova Scotian coal to Montreal. The Mayor of Toronto has cabled to Cardiff appealing to British coal owners to give preference to Canada. FRENCH STRIKE. Seventy thousand men in North France, Loire and Carmause, constituting two-thirds of the French colliers, have struck for a 10 per cent, increase. The French coal miners have definitely declared a general strike, and a manifesto issued to all French workers declares that the strike is due to the employers declining to let the delegates consider the minimum wage question, and the regulation of labour; also the absence of provision for old age pensions legislation. Regret is expressed at the indirect consequences of the struggle. A second manifesto, addressed to business men, regrets the calamities the strike entails. A third manifesto bids the army remember Col. Saint Remy’s refusal to obey his superior’s orders in connection with the closing of the schools maintained by the religious associations because such orders were opposed to his conscience, and urges them not to fire on the strikers. A fourth manifesto asks foreign miners for help. Of the 120,000 miners in France

100,000 have struck, but all those at Monceau and the bulk of those at Anzin are still working-. The “yellow” or non-union syndicate miners have issued a manifesto urging the men not to listen to the strike leaders, but to continue work. The “yellow” syndicate has distributed twenty revolvers and 1000 cartridges to each section of the Anzin non-unionists, with orders that the weapons are to be exclusively used to defend their homes. ZOLA. Enormous and respectful crowds attended the funeral of M. Zola, who was buried with military honours. The fjineral was one harmonious apotheosis of Zola and the justice of the cause he nobly championed. At the grave tributes were paid by M. Chaumie, Minister for Education, and M. Anatole France, the French author. The latter, recalling the reactionary howls of rage, remarked that M. Zola was the embodiment of mankind’s conscience. He did well never to despair of justice in France, which was the land of reason and philanthropic thought. The consequences of his action would prove of incalculable benefit. The cortege included the Prince of Monarco, representatives of M. Combes (the Premier) and General Andre (Minister for War), and trades unions, carrying a silver palm, inscribed “Germinal,” “Travail,” “Fecondite.” Dreyfus, whom M. Zola’s widow released from his promise, attended, and passed unnoticed, because his presence was unexpected. Colonel Picquart, Maitre Labori, M. Jaures (the well-known Socialist), and President Reinach were repeatedly cheered, and 10,000 people followed M. Jaures homewards, cheering. SOUTH AFRICA. Mr Rathbone (who was Government Inspector of Mines under the old Transvaal Government) has assumed the direction of operations in connection with the new gold discovery on the Rand. The operations will be carried to a depth of 8000 feet. It is estimated that the new find will last centuries, yielding twenty-five millions annually. Forty-one Boers, chiefly Gape colonists from the prisoners’ camps in Ceylon, have been arrested in Durban on a charge of treason. A meeting of 2000 people to form a political association at Johannesburg declared that self-government was impossible for some time to come, and that in the meanwhile it was necessary to submit to Lord Mil-' net the people’s views. An eulogium on Lord Milner and Mr Chamberlain was received with acclaim. News received by the Cape mail states that the proposal to import Chinese coolies to work the mines was received with such a storm of indignation that it was abandoned. A few Cingalese were imported, but were found to be unsuited to the work. There is no demand for unskilled labour, but mechanics are readily snapped up. The Dutch Reformed Church of the Transvaal has asked for Government assistance in the re-erection and repair of churches, urging their potent influence in creating contentment and reconciliation. The Synod exhorts the members loyally to accept the new Government and co-operate to secure the prosperity of the country. The Royal Commission, of which Lord Elgin is chairman, appointed to inquire into the conduct of the war in South Africa, has commenced its sittings in London. It has decided to communicate reports to the newspapers, and has adjourned till the 14th inst. Sir Frederick Darley, the Chief Justice of New South Wales, who is at present on a visit to England, has been offered a seat on Lord Elgin's War Enquiry Commission. Lord Strathcona has been appointed a member of Lord Elgin’s War Commission. The revised Transvaal tariff has given general satisfaction. The duties on machinery, building materials, agricultural implements and the special duties on fodder are abolished. The special duties on foodstuffs are reduced. The duty on jams is reduced to three-halfpence per pound. Public and military stores are free.

The tariff comes into operation in • forti/ght. It is only provisional, Since .the Government desire to join the Customs Union.

The Dutch Church Synod, in a letter already cabled, incidentally threatened the National Scouts and others -who helped the British in the later stages of the war with exclusion from the Church unless they show deep contrition. The “Times” Johannesburg correspondent states that unless this clause is repealed compensation to the Church is out of the question. Sir Godfrey Lagden, Commissioner of Native Affairs in the Transvaal, has met with striking success as regards the new regulations for the natives. Drunkenness at the mines has been reduced to a minimum, and the native savings bank and remittance agency is greatly appreciated. Twelve thousand stand of arms in the various districts have been surrendered, and the hut tax, which is due next January, has not produced a murmur of disapproval. A bill fixing the Cape Colony's contribution to the naval subsidy at ‘£50,000 has been read a first time in the Assembly.

The Assembly has agreed to the report of the committee that only direct war losses should be compensated, and £5 allowed for each horse taken by the military. Great distress prevails in the northwestern and north-eastern districts of Cape Colony. Sugar is selling at a shilling per pound. The Government is importing traction engines to be utilised in the transport of supplies. THE BOEK LEADERS. The Berlin Reception Committee’s manifesto describes Botha as the thinker, De la Rey as the winner of battles, and De Wet as the South African Blucher. They are coming, they say, for help, not revenge. The signatories include the court poet, .Wilderbruch. Professor Hearrlich, in a letter in the “National Zeitung,” traverses the generals’ manifesto in detail, referring to its gross exaggerations. He says Britain’s gift is equal to £lO for each inhabitant. The manifesto has, he points out, alienated British sympathies, and inflamed Anglophobia. Herr Barth, a Liberal deputy, ■writes similarly to another newspaper. The subscriptions for the Boers in Holland amount to £11,500. Botha, speaking at Zwolle, warmly eulogised Kruger and Steyn. He asserted the former’s absolute integrity. He referred to the concentration camps in language not calculated to remove false impressions. The Boer generals were warmly welcomed at Brussels. De Wet, speaking from the balcony of a hotel, disclaimed the reports that the Boer leaders were making efforts to regain their independence. Their sole purpose, he said, was to obtain help to repair the ravages of the war. Speaking at the Public Hall he said:—“We ask ourselves In the presence of this immense enthusiasm why no intervention took place? It was God’s wall that we lost our independence; we will remain faithful to our new country if the conditions of peace are loyally fulfillel. The British are no longer our enemies. I have signed and will keen my word.” De la Rey made a bitter speech. He said the Boer losses were seventyfive millions. It would be more honest for England to pay the whole amount than to fling a beggar’s pittance in the faces of the Boers. Botha referred to the war's devastation, and asked for pity and help for the women and children. The “Daily Mail” states that Dr. Leyds carefully edits Botha's speeches for publication in the newspapers. Viljoen, the Boer ex-military leader, is raising a fund to build a home where maimed Boers can follow useful employments. The “Standard” states that the entire subscriptions for the Boers from all countries, including Mr Phipps’ donation, amount to £60,000. The “Standard’s” Berlin correspondent is authoritatively informed that the Kaiser has not expressed a wish to see the Boer generals, and that he has maintained the strictest neutrality throughout.

The “North German Gazette” states that the Kaizer on September 18 caused it to be notified to the Boer generals that he would be prepared to receive them provided they refrained from all anti-British agitation and sought an introduction through the British Ambassador. De Wet accepted the conditions on behalf of his comrades, but official intimation from The Hague on October 6 showed that the generals subsequently altered their minds and raised difficulties about asking audience, saying they wished to be summoned. The matter was therefore settled negatively. Until the announcement in the “North German Gazette” the. PanGermans were persuaded that the proposed audience had been decided, especially after the publicity which had been given to the matter, and now show some disappointment and anger, but their efforts to inflame the people have proved impotent, owing to the indifference of the public, which is reflected in the smallness of the subscriptions for the Boers.

The “Times” remarks that the socalled official despatch from The Hague to the generals relieved Sir F. Lascelles, the British Ambassador, of the disagreeable necessity of conveying to the generals his Government’s refusal to allow them to accept an honour which would be construed throughout the world, and particularly in South Africa, as a fresh encouragement to the Boer Nationalist dreams. It is stated in Brussels that the generals intend to ask to 'be presented to M. Loubet, the French President. The Legislative Council at the Cape has received the report of the Committee of Inquiry exonerating Messrs Mulder and Pretorious, members of the Council. The former was deported and the latter fined under martial law. The report declares that Lord Alverstone's Commission, which had considered the cases, had failed in this instance to protect loyal subjects of the King. Several Boer leaders of minor rank are visiting Berlin to learn the exact terms on which they will be permitted to settle in German South-west Africa. Wessels andWolmarans are allowed to return to South Africa. Fischer comes to London to plead for similar permission. The Afrikander officials at The Hague are incensed at the non-pay-ment of their salaries and the nonredemption of Transvaal notes, and have threatened to take action to compfl Kruger to account for Transvaal State funds. Many German newspapers accuse the Boer generals of alienating sympathy by suggesting that the Kaiser should summon them to his presence. The newspapers of Paris discourage incitements against Britain. The French and Belgian moderate newspapers advise the generals, as Britishers, to look chiefly to Britain for monetary considerations. The London “Times” states that the Boer generals had a two hours’ conference with Dr. Leyds before visiting Ghent. Several Berlin papers describe Leyds as the generals’ evil genius. Others hint that in the event of the Pan-Germans giving a reception of a political or anti-Brit-ish character the Government will expel the generals as noxious foreigners. Botha, on being interviewed, said their mission was exclusively charitable and that he had informed Triends in Germany that the generals would rather abandon their visit than allow it to become political. The Boer generals attended Kruger’s birthday celebrations at Utrecht. Two pastors delivered addresses in the church, expressing the usual aspirations for Boer unity and freedom. Kruger also preached in aid of the relief fund, and thanked the generals for their services. De Wet denies that the generals refused to accept an audience of the Kaiser, and believes His Majesty knew nothing about these stories. “If an Emperor or King desires to see us,” said De Wet, “we would esteem it a great honour, and would certainly apply through the British Minister."

AUSTRALIA. The Sydney Eight Hours’ procession was the largest on record. Ten thousand workers took part. At the Homebush sales the quality of sheep was below the average. A small consignment of New Zealand wethers fetched from 26/ to 31/. The quality of the cattle was good. An odd lot of fourteen New Zealand bullocks averaged £2l. The movement promoted by the friends of Lieutenant Witton, who is now undergoing imprisonment for his connection with the shooting of Boers by Morant and Hancock in South Africa, to get up a petition for his release, is meeting with extraordinary success (says the Melbourne “Age”). A petition based on the opinion of Mr I. A. Issacs, and setting forth the facts of the case, has been drawn up, and copies of this have been circulated throughout the Commonwealth. The petitions are now coming back signed, and during the past two days Mr E. W. Witton, brother of the lieutenant, has received returned copies bearing over 2000 signatures. Numerous letters expressing sympathy and asking for more copies of the petition for signature have been received, and it is evident that a monster petition will be secured. It is understood that the Australian station will henceforth be a ViceAdmiral’s station. Admiral Beaumont shortly leaves for England. Vice-Admiral Fanshawe has been appointed as his successor. [Vice-Admiral Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe was born in 1847. He is the second son of Admiral Sir Edward Fanshawe, G.C.B. He was an A.D.C. to Queen Victoria from 1895 to 1897, and second in command of the Channel squadron, 1899-1900.] The New South Wales Labour Commissioners’ annual report shows that of the amount advanced to procure steamer and rail tickets to enable men to find work, since the beginning of 1902, the sum of £58,000 remains unrefunded. The report urges Parliament to check political and social influence being used to obtain employment for men not registered by the Commissioners. The Federal Government will consider the propriety of communicating with the Cecil Rhodes trustees, offering io take steps to give effect to the provisions of Mr Rhodes’ will relating to Australian scholarships. A fishing boat is supposed to have foundered in Hobson Bay, Victoria. It is believed that three persons, named Dentish, Post and Bradley, were drowned. Three men have been captured in Pentridge Gaol, having performed a unique exploit in breaking- and entering. They broke into the gaol for the purpose of conveying letters and contraband goods (tobacco, etc.) to certain of their prisoners, but were caught before they tcould get out again. Sir G. Turner, the Acting-Federal Premier, has requested the State Treasurers to furnish information with refft-ence to the public debt, and when loans fall due. This action is taken with a view to considering the advisableness of framing proposals next session io convert State loans on the security t>f the Commonwealth. The session is expected to commence in May or June. At Homebush sales small consignments of New Zealand sheep ranged, from 30/ to 36/6; cattle, £l2 14/4 to £2O 5/. The cable rates between Victoria and Tasmania are reduced to a halfpenny per word. Sir Samuel Gillott has been elected Mayor of Melbourne for the third time. The Victorian Government intend to effect a- reduction of £ 100,000 in the working expenses of the railways. Probably 800 employees will be dismissed. Reports have been received that a volcanic disturbance hag been noticed at Lake Eacham, in the Herberton district, Queensland. The water in the centre of the lake is bubbling up. The lake is believed to be the crater of an old volcano. It has never been fathomed in the centre, although an 800 ft line has been used. It is a curious frjbt that there are no fish in the lake nor birds in the vicinity, while aboriginals shun

the place, stating it is the Lome of the “devil-devil.” Some local uneasiness has been caused. Earth tremors apparently have not done with South Australia, for on Friday night between 9.30 and a quarter to 10 one was felt over the southern portion of the State. It wss not very severe, and lasted only two or three seconds; in fact, many people did not notice it. The tremor was felt most at Clarendon, and it the hills south of Adelaide, where the shocks have apparently been more frequent than in other parts of the State. Cabinet has decided to carry out the death penalty in the case of August Tisler and Mrs. Sangal (recently sentenced to death for the murder of the latter’s husband at Dandenong). The former will be executed on October 20, and the latter, a date to be fixed later. The Acting-Oovernor has prorogued the Federal Paliament. The Federal session lasted seventeen months and one day, and embraced 230 sittings of the House and 178 of the Senate. The official record of the proceedings comprises 17,000 pages. Sir E. Barton, on arrival on Monday at Brisbane, was welcomed on behalf of the Federal and State Parliaments. In an interview he reviewed the work of the Imperial Conference, but added nothing of importance to the facts already cabled. He refrained from expressing any opinion on the results. He said the speeches he delivered in England advocated reasonable Imperialism in place of a reckless tendency to rush into quarrels and disputes without considering the causes. He favoured cohesion with the Empire by ail reasonable and wise means consistent with the preservation of Australia's autonomous government Mr. David Elder, who was a passenger by the R.M.S. Aorangi from Vancouver, states that the opinion amongst London financiers is that the conversion of State loans on the security of the Commonwealth will have the effect of making it difficult to place any State loans at a satisfactory price. The best rains recorded for months are falling in- the driest districts, the are falling in the driest districts of South Australia, the fall ranging from three-quarters of an inch to a-quarter. In the more favoured districts the rain will ensure a fair harvest, while in the drier portions, where farmers are faced with ruin, it will at least produce seed. Very heavy rains, accompanied with thunder, have fallen in Sydney. A pleasure - boat capsized in the Yarra, and a girl named Perriman and a youth named Lahey were drowned. The police have been advised from Melbourne that Constable Johnson was shot dead whilst attempting to arrest a man, who immediately shot himself dead. He is believed to be Shaw, who is wanted in connection with the murder of Constable Chiilfoyle, at Sydney, some time ago. No details are to hand. A constable has left for Melbourne to identify the dead man. The man having interfered with a little girl who was wheeling a perambulator at St. Hilda, Constable Johnson, at the request of passers - by, went in pursuit of the culnrit on his bicycle. As he approached the man the latter turned and shot him dead with a revolver. The murderer threatened the witnesses of the tragedy with the same fate if they followed him, and then coolly walked away. Finding two police constables tracking him, he turned on them, revolver in hand, apparently intending to fire on them. Changing his mind, however, he nut the revolver to his own head and blew hts own brains out. The tragedy occurred at mid-day, and caused a great sensation.