GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue X, 7 March 1903, Page 644

GENERAL CABLES.

CHINESE IN REVOLT.

News has been received of a Chinese rebellion in the Kwangshi province. Five hundred Imperial troops were ambushed and slaughtered at Yanquing Pass. PURSUIT OF THE MULLAH. Owing to the Mullah’s withdrawal the British will establish an advanced po t at Bits Mudug in April, when the B - hotle force will have joined hands with those at Mudug Obdia, and the base will be transferred to Berbera. TOMMY ATKINS COMPARED. Major-General Sir Bruce Hamilton testified before Lord Elgin’s War Commission that he did not think the British regulars equal to either the Boers or the colonials from the standpoint of individual intelligence and power of observation, and of looking after themselves. BRITISH POLITICS. Lord Rosebery, addressing the Liberal League at Glasgow, said the Government’s Imperialism meant bloated armaments and bloated expenditure. The country neded a saner, cheaper and less provocative Imperialism. He accused the Government of indifference to all social questions. .s-

The Duke of Devonshire, addressing the Liberal Unionists’ Association at Westminster, while eulogising Lord Salisbury, remarked that it was easier for Mr Balfour to regard many questions more from the Unionist than the Conservative standpoint. The relations of the two sections were now more intimate. Mr Chamberlain occupied a position in the Government and Parliament scarcely second to to Mr Balfour’s. Referring to last session’s Education Bill he admitted that if the general election had been held then the Government would probably have been severely defeated. He spoke hopefully of the solution of the Irish land question, but said it was still possible that Home Rule would be revived. Sir Howard Vincent moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply urging the Government to legislate for the exclusion of destitute aliens. The Government under some pressure agreed to consider a remedy when the report by the Alien Immigration Commission was received. The amendment was withdrawn. RUSSIA ACTIVE. Exceptional military activity is being displayed at Kieff and Odessa. Arrangements have been completed r 100.000 of the first-class reserves an J J 80.000 of the second-class reserves to ■' in the colours in a fortnight after an emergency call. The “Novoe Vremya” states that the French and Russian navies are able to dispute British sea supremacy, and adds that Russia is willing to shed torrents of blood to defend France on land provided she is able to rely on the French fleet. MACEDONIA. Tewfik Pasha, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has informed the Ambassadors of the Powers that the Sultan has agreed to the Macedonian reforms. SIAM. M. Deleasse, Minister for Foreign Affairs, withholds ratification of the Siamese Convention, alleging that Siam is not exhibiting the excellent intentions she professes. M. Deleasse proposes the extension of the Hue-Bassak railway to Bangkok, also the construction of a line on the right bank of the Mekong to Mongkai. This really is an attempt to silence the outcry of the ultra-colonial party, which was irritated at the promised evacuation of Chautaboon. The Paris newspapers accuse the Siamese envoy of resorting to bribery to secure the ratification. Britain has concluded a treaty with Siam, obtaining the right to appoint British Residents at Kelantin and Tringanu, though recognising Siam's supremacy. ALASKAN BOUNDARY. A high American Government official declares that any American granting any part of Canada’s claims in Alaska will be unable to live in the country. America only consented to the Commission through hoping to find one fairminded man on the other side. The New York “Evening Post” declares that Senators Lodge, Root and Turner were appointed as a political necessity to induce the Senate to ratify the convention, otherwise President Roosevelt preferred wellknown geographers who were not partisans to decide the disputed claims. VENEZUELA. Germany has asked for a draft for £5500, due in the middle of 'March, with a view to negotiating for the cash at once. Mr Bowen refused. Mr Hay, Secretay of State, has approved of Mr Bowen’s suggestion that the Tzar should nominate three arbitrators to decide preferential treatment with regard to the claims against Venezuela.

The Protocol with reference to Venezuela provides that the Hague Tribunal shall begin to consider the question of preferential treatment on September 1, and within the half-year ensuing shall settle when, how and by whom the costa of arbitration shall be paid.

The Washington correspondent of the “Times” declares that Sir M. H. Ilerber’s friendly and skilful diplomacy saved the Venezuelan situation when Germany’s wanton Slate-craft nearly provoked a rupture. American confidence in Britain was restored, though Germany’s restlessness was still the occasion of distrust of her ultimate purposes in South America. SOUTH AFRICA. The Barend Celliers have been acquitted at Bloemfontein on a charge of shooting Lieut. Boyle, a captured British officer, in January, 1901. General De Wet testified, and General Phillip Botha expressed himself strongly against Boyle, but he was not aware that he (Botha) ordered him to be shot. He might have done so. The Afrikander Bond will summon an assembly of Dutch ministers with a view to promoting Mr Hofmeyer’s conciliatory declarations. It is reported in Johannesburg that the generals really declined seats in the Legislative Council owing to the presence therein of Andries Cronje, a National Scout. As a result of an influential meeting of loyalist Boer pastors in the estern Transvaal, it was resolved to form a separate Church, owing to the attitude of the Dutch Reformed Church. One thousand Asiatic coolies are ‘detained at Table Bay. The majority will return to their ports of origin. WRECK OF THE ARIADNE. The Court of Appeal has refused to interfere with Justice Bruce’s order for a commission to take evidence in New Zealand in connection with the loss of the yacht Ariadne. [The owner (Mr Kerry) as well as the master and one of the crew, were arrested and tried in 1901 on a charge of having wrecked the yacht Ariadne. The master alone was found guilty, and received a sentence of imprisonment. The present proceedings are in regard to Mr Kerry s application to Floyd's for the insurance money, which represents a heavy sum.] A FATAL STRIKE. Two hundred and fifty Virginia miners on strike at Charleston, armed with Winchesters, resisted the efforts of 100 Federal officers to serve injunctions on them. ■ For several minutes firing- took place, three strikers being killed, six fatally injured, and three badly wounded. One officer was killed and two wounded. Forty of the strikers, who were chiefly foreigners, were arrested. GALE IN GREAT BRITAIN, DISASTROUS DAMAGE. The greatest gale for many years past has raged over a large portion of England, Scotland and Ireland during the last few days, and has occasioned considerable destruction of property, accompanied by loss of life. Both by land and sea the damage has been inestimable, and almost every incoming steamer repeats the story that the gale along the coast and in the Channel is the worst known for twenty years. It is certain that many wrecks have occurred. In Ireland the gale fell with especial severity. Dublin Castle was damaged, while a church was destroyed both at Cork and at Holyhead, where, owing to its exposed position, the winds reached a pitch of frightful violence, and ruin was the fate of everything that was exposed to their mercy. In other parts of the country buildings and factories were wrecked. The number of*persons injured in the overthrow of various buildings numbers fully eighty-two. At Lower Gornal a small mining town of the Black Country, the theatre was totally destroyed. Telegraphic communication in the north of England is almost suspended. Telford’s bridge over the Menai Straits has buckled in the centre under the strain of the wind, and a portion has moved out of position. A train consisting of ten carriages was blown over on its side across the other set of metals on the viaduct at Ulverstone, in Lancashire, and thirty, passengers were injured. Great damage was done at Manchester and Liverpool. The storm and floods did great damage in the north of Ireland and west of Scotland, while some damage was done to English breakwaters, The saddest incident yet reported oecurred at a North Country parsonage.

The roof of the residence of the Rev. Mr De Winton, a Primitive Methodist minister at Hetton-le-Hole, in Durham, was destroyed. Mr De Winton, who was sleeping at the time, was killed, and his Wife was seriously injured. Many buildings were unroofed in Dublin, and several fatalities are reported. Shipping casualties are not yet to hand, but there is every evidence that the list will be formidable when it comes to be published. Two mishaps only are so far known.

The steamer Fingal, loading for Australia, dragged her anchors and stranded, becoming submerged at North Wall. The crew, however, were fortunate enough to get ashore safelv.

The collier Otterseap, belonging to Sunderland has been wrecked at Finisterre. Seven dead bodies have been recovered, and it is feared that the crew and passengers, numbering thirty, have perished. The battleship Resolution had a rough experience in the gale. She was continually washed by huge seas. The waves bent an armoured door and snapped a chain controlling the tiller. A huge mass of metal was flying from side to side, but fortunately failed to penetrate the ship. The hand-steering wheel was also rendered useless. The vessel was steered to Plymouth by means of her twin screws.

The gale moderated on Sunday, though the tale of losses is still incomplete. There has been great damage in the Isle of Man, where houses and churches have been completely wrecked. The fine memorial window in All Saints* Church, Peeltown, was blown in, while the roof of the nave was lifted aloft and then hurled down upon the floor beneath. The steamer Lucania had the unusual experience of being unable to land its passengers at Queenstown, and was obliged to bring them, numbering as they did one hundred persons, to Liverpool. BRITISH ARMY SYSTEM. Mr Beekett’s amendment to the Ad-dress-in-Reply to the affect that the ‘Army system w-as unsuited to the needs of the Empire, and that expenditure was increasing without proportionate strength and efficiency, was negatived by 201 to 145 votes. The Nationalists abstained from voting, while 18 Unionists voted in the minority. Mr Stanley stated that Lord Roberts informed him that Mr Brodriek’s scheme had his unqualified approval. Sir H. CampbellBannerman said that the Continental army corps was unsuited to British needs. He considered the linked battalion system succesesful. Mr H. H. Asquith said that the Government had approached a composite problem of Imperial defence from the. least important side. It was a mistake not to consult the Navy. Mr Balfour denied that the Army was too large a reinforcing army. It was absolutely necessary for the defence of India. In the improbable event of a war with Russia, Britain would need all the forces in the Government scheme provided.

In the House of Commons Mr Beckett moved an amendment to the Ad-dress-in-Reply to the effect that the army system was unsuited to the needs of the Empire, and that expenditure was Increasing without proportionate strength and efficiency. Mr Brodrick made an effective reply. He said recruiting was satisfactory. Fifty-one thousand had joined in 1902. In a few years the principle of delegation in matters of control would be the key to the army system. Though now it was more expensive it would become eventually more economical and create large reserves, rendering it possible to have a minimum with the colours. He appealed to the House to allow his policy to have a trial. Sir Charles Dilke said the expenditure on the Navy ought to be increased.

Sir E. Gray declared the country was alarmed at the increasing national expenditure. The debate was adjourned.

MR CHAMBERLAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Mr. Henry Juta, a member of the Cape Parliament, introduced a deputation to Mr. Chamberlain of persecuted Dutch loyalists, who asserted that boycotting and ostracism were increasing, and who Baked for a dissolution of Parliament

and the appointment of a commission ‘o inquire into the wrongs of loyalists. Mr. Andres Cronje stated that if loyal Cape Dutch were persecuted he would find them farms in the Transvaal.

Mr. Chamberlain promised the loyalists generous compensation for their losses. The Government were trying various ways to differentiate in the loyalists’ favour. He hoped'Mr. Hofnieyeris avowed abhorrence of persecution would stop boycotting. It was, he said, impossible to appoint an Imperial Commission to inquire into the social condition of an autonomous colony, but he asked for authentic instances of persecution, and said he was surprised to find that both parties were agreed that it was constitutionally impossible to dissolve Parliament until late in 1903.

Addressing the Cape Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Chamberlain impressed on autonomous colonies the necessity for realising tbeir position. The burden of empire was becoming greater than the Motherland could bear alone. As the colonics grew in influence and wealth they must either abandon the idea of forming part in the Empire or take their full share of responsibility. Referring to the war contribution, lie said it would be better to do without it than accept a grant reluctantly given. At a farewell banquet at Capetown, attended by 400. including Mr Hofmeyer, Mr Chamberlain said it was too early to state the results of his unprecedented mission. South African interests required federation, and he thought the Colonial Office would not interfere. Since reconciliation was proceeding apace in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, why not in the Cape? If Lord Milner’s firm and sympathetic policy was continued those colonies would become the most prosperous in the Empire. Though the Cape remained a point of danger, recent incidents gave hope of a new era, especially since the Progressives had accepted Mr Hofmeyer’s authoritative assurances as sincere. Tire amnesty decision rested with the colonial, not with the Imperial, Government. He hoped that such good feeling might prevail as would justify clearing the slate by the release, of all political offenders. He advocated Imperial, not local, patriotism, and concluded amidst great cheering. The “Standard” states Mr Chamberlain recommends a general amnesty, but not re-enfranchisement, as a graceful ending to his visit.

The "Times” declares that if any statesman inspiring less confidence than Mr Chamberlain had recommended a general amnesty the British people would have regarded the step with deep misgiving. Certainly (says the “Times”) the act is one of generous boldness bordering on temerity. Mr Hofmeyer, in an interview, said that the tour had been generally a success. Mr Chamberlain was wise in talking to the people individually instead of from within the official ring. Hence all were inclined to trust him. All sensible citizens would be loyal.

An immense gathering bade Mr Chamberlain farewell at Capetown. The shipping was dressesd with bunting, and the harbour was ablaze with colour.

As the tug conveying the party set out a cry was heard from the loyalist crowd: “Do what you can for us!” Several vessels escorted the si earner, which left later amidst a display of fireworks.

The estimates of Mr Chamberlain’s tour give the cost at £2,2.00 sterling.

The “Daily Mail” states that Lord Milner has latterly been indisposed, but has now improved. He will take a short holiday trip to England after the Bloemfontein Conference in March.

The Paris “Temps” eulogises Mr Chamberlain’s herculean labours in South Africa, and admits that he has done everything to promote general reconciliation.

Other European organs, especially in Vienna and Berlin, acknowledge the surprisingly good results of his mission.