GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XVII, 25 April 1903, Page 1139

GENERAL CABLES.

UNHAPPY FINLAND. General Xabrieoff has been made absolute dictator over Finland for a period of three years. He has been empowered by the Czar to close factories, offices or shops at discretion, and to assign recalcitrants to residence in various places within the Russian empire. WHITAKER WRIGHT’S CASE. The bearing of the case against Whitaker Wright was resumed in New York. An agent of the British Government gave evidence that an unsigned message was sent from Wormley, Surrey, a place close to the Wright residence, to the effect that Mrs Wright wanted her husband, who was then at Havre, and that things were looking bad it was also shown that the prisoner telegraphed his wife to “give Florence £ 500.” SHAMROCK DISMASTED. A storm caught Shamrock 111., Sir Thomas Lipton’s new yacht, built to compete for the America Cup, off Weymouth. The yacht was dismasted, and was towed to port a mere hulk. Sir Thomas Lipton was injured, but not seriously. One of the sailors was drowned and others of the crew were badly injured. TUBERCULOSIS. The investigations of Professor Hamilton and Mr Young, of Aberdeen University, with a view to testing Dr Koch’s theory, have proved that human tuberculosis is communicable to cattle. [The nim of British scientists has been to confute Dr. Koch's partial renunciation of the mutual interchange of tubercles between cattle and the human subject.] STORM AT MARSEILLES. A great storm has been experienced at Marseilles. Many vessels broke adrift from their moorings, and several vessels foundered. Work at the quays had to be suspended for some considerable time. The embarkation of the Australian mail was delayed. THE SEA GIVES UP ITS DEAD. The Spanish flagship Reina Christian, which with other vessels of the Spanisn navy was sunk in Manila Harboui during Admiral Dewey’s attack iu 1898, has been refloated. The skeletons of 80 of the crew were discovered. It was found that though the hull was penetrated by 15 shells the vessel had evidently been scuttled before being abandoned. VENEZUELAN REVOLUTION. A Reuter’s telegram from Caracas says that 3000 revolutionists under General Riero for ten days evaded pursuit. At last the Republican forces came up with them and a desperate struggle ensued. Three thousand of the revolutionists were absolutely annihilated. General* Ortega and Martinez were both captnred. The third payment under the protocol has been effected.

( ANA DIAN FINANCE. The Canadian Budget shows a surplus of 13,350,000 dollars, enabling the liquidation of all capital expenditure and a reduction of debits by 5,650,000 dollars. Mr Fielding, Minister for Finance, lias announced that since negotiations have failed to induce Germany to treat Canadian products fairly, a surtax, onethird additional to the present duty, Would be levied on German goods. BLOW AT THE TRUSTS. News has been received that Alubyarafa. with two hundred Moorish troops, lied for refuge to Algeria. •French sphoirs, or sharp-shooters, have been sent to the Algerian frontier owing to the approach of the Moorish pretender’s army. Large masses of stocks have been thrown on the New York market owing to the recent decision of the High Court, forbidding the merging of the Northern Railway Companies as contravening the. principles of the recent legislation against monopolies. HUSH LAND BILL. Mr John Redmond has been elected president of the Nationalist Convention sitting at Dublin. There are 2500 representatives present. Mr William O’Brien moved the acceptance of the principal features of the new Irish Land Bill, though he and Air Redmond insisted that radical and sweeping amendments would be required. Mr P. White, a member of the House of Commons, moved an amendment in favour of the unconditional rejection of the ‘.‘ill. The amendment found only one supporter, and Mr C'Brien’s motion was thus carried almost unanimously, with enthusiasm. AIR MORLEY’S VIEWS. Mr John Morley, M.P., speaking at Mont rose, protested against the cost of militarism as spendthrift and demoralising. The extravagance of the Government was extraordinary. The new Irish Land Bill was a confession that the resolute government of Ireland had resulted in failure. He agreed with Mr Redmond that the settlement of the land question would be an enormous step towards Home Rule. SOMALILAND. The Paris journal “Le Petit Bless” alleges that before the Dreyfus trial at Rennes Helmuth sold France the Austrian official list of international spies, and that Helmuth added Dreyfus’ name thereto. This contributed tc the second condemnation of Dreyfus. Three hundred Yaos tribesmen, under British officers, defeated a large force of Somalis at Walwal on April 3, killing £0 and capt uring 600 camels and 5000 sheep. The enemy repeatedly tried to rush the British square. Pursuit was found to ba impossible. Colonel Ccbbe on the sth surprised and dispersed a large party west of Galkan, killing 10 and capturing 1500 camels and 6000 sheep. There were no British casualties. The Mullah has retreated to Haradget.

FRANCE AND ENGLAND. Pre-ideut Loubet had a great reception at Algiers. The British, Russian. Spanish and Italian squadrons saluted, and the bands on the British warships played the "Marseillaise,” the French cruiser Jeanne d’Are responding with "God Save the King.” President Loubet decorated the British commanders. Speaking at a banquet in his honour President Loubet declared lie was very .sensible of King Edward’s delicate attention in sending four of the finest specimens of the mighty British navy to lake part in his reception, thereoy showing the good feeling and esteem felt towards France. He added: "I think King Edward will be satisfied with the reception Paris is preparing for him.” SAMOA. The German natives of Upolu and Savaii claim land at Tutuiia. The American Secretary of Native Affairs caused the arrest of several Tutuilans, who proposed to murder the Upolu claimants. Germany has appointed a Commission consisting of German and British representatives to deal with the Samoan land disputes. The Americans have done nothing in the matter. [The greater portion of the Samoan group belong to Germany, but America owns tlie island of Tutuiia, and several adjacent islets. A number of chiefs have removed from German io American Samoa and vice versa since the division of the group was made, and as a result disputes as to the ownership have arisen, as in tile present instance. The disputes are of no great moment, ami in most cases have not been heard of outside official circles.] THE CHINESE QUESTION. A hundred d. anken German an I Austrian soldiers fought with bricks, knives and chibs in a street in Pekin in the' presence of crowds of Chinese until the patrols separated them and confined the rioters to their barracks. Reuter’s Agency at Pekin reports that the Russians explain that the evacuation of Neuehwang is delayed owing to a desire to establish an international sanitary commission to prevent bubonic plague. Prince Ching has succeeded Yung-Lu as Grand Secretary. Au edict issued by the Dowager Empress of China repeals the stamp tax imposed by Yuanshikai’s officials in the hope.thereby to paralyse his scheme and secure the honest t-ollecTion of taxes. The Dowager reviewed 7000 superior troops at I’aotingfu. THE MOROCCO RISING. News has been reeetvfed "from Morocco that the rebels have’captured Frajana. They exploded a mine, destroying the chief tower, then stormed the fort, Forly-one. of the garrison were killed and 2-1 wounded. Part of the garrison took refuge at Alelilla. The pretender now controls the. whole of the Riff district. "

The Sultan of Morocco is dismissing most .of bis European officials excepting Sir Harry Mae Lean, the chief of his bodyguard. This step is taken with a view .to propitiating his subjects, owing to lheir danger';, s disapproval of his efforts to bring the country into line with European civilisation. The Spanish Government has refused

to allow the Sultan of Morocco to send troops to the Riff country via Melilla, the fortified convict .settlement belonging to Spain, on the North coast of Morocco. As it is impossible to disembark the Moorish forces elsewhere, the Sultan is left in somewhat of a quandary in the matter of meeting the forces of the Protender. . A FRENCH SCANDAL. la connection with AL RevolPs resignation of the Governorship of Algeria, the newspaper "Petite Daupliinois,” owned by M. Baragnos, HI. Revoil’s uncle, alleged that AL Edgar Combes, the Premier’s son, offered to obtain the authorisation of the Carthusians under the Religious Associations Act for a million fra nes. This allegation was indignantly denied uncle, alleged that M. Edgar Combes, voil, the latter of whom denied that he was associated therewith. M. Revoil’s resignation was due to Al. Combes’ refusal to hear him on the subject. and declining to sign his promotion to the Legion of Honour on the occasion of President Loubet’s forthcoming visit to North Africa. A leading Chartreuse monk informed the newspaper “Gaulois” that a person professing to represent a political group in the Chamber of Deputies offered the Prior of the Order in February to obtain authorisation for the Order under the Religious Associations Act if they would pay £‘ 12,000 down and contribute £ 80,000 to the electoral fund. The offer was refused. A NTARCTIC EXPJ X)R AT lON. The steamer Stassfurt has brought to Sydney from Kergulen Islands four of the German scientific party sent there in connection with the German Antarctic! expedition. The party originally consisted of five, but one died during their 18 months’ residence. The survivors are very reticent, but it is understood that they suffered great hardships. The leader is ill, and was removed to the hospital upon arrival. The directors of the German Society of Geological Science at Berlin deeply regret the failure of the German Kerguelen scientific station, the members of which returned to Sydney yesterday.

The German scientist who died at the station on Kerguelen Island was Dr Euzensperger, and the one invalided to Sydney is Dr Werth. Tlie future movements of the expedition arc Uncertain. So far as Kerguelen is concerned they have completed their work, which was purely scientific, and was espee’ally occupied with wind and temperature observations and geographical research. When the Strtsspovt arrived at the island it was decided to leave the expedition’s' jinused provisions for the benefit of possible castaways, and a notice to that effect was conspicuously posted. The only fresh food obtainable on the island was rabbits, which swarm there, the' rate of increase being only regulated by the scarcity of herbage. The German Government proposes to despatch another South Polar expedition in December to pick up thS party on the steamer Gauss, which when they left Germany last year intended to stay till next year. A sailing vessel will prob-

ably be secured and will start from Capetown. If the Gauss is not picked up the expedition will replenish the food depots in the ice regions.

KING’S TOUR. Klug Edward’s yacht, escorted by six cruisers, passed within ten miles of Algiers, whose batteries and battleships saluted with 101 guns. The foreign warships in the harbour hoisted the British ensign and fired salutes of 21 guns. King Edward, on arrival at Malta, was welcomed with immense enthusiasm. The forts and vessels saluted and the churches rang joy bells. Replying to an address of welcome the King stated that his early visit since be had become King was due to his great personal interest in the beautiful historic island, one of his most precious possessions. The warships in the babrour and the King’s yacht were superbly illuminated. King Edward reviewed 8000 troops at Malta. It was a brilliant function, but had to be curtailed owing to a sandstorm. An army versus navy polo match was held in the afternoon. The King will attend a review at Vincennes (a suburb of Paris) on the morning of May 2, and a special race meeting at Longchamps on the afternoon of the same day. The naval review at Alalia was abandoned owing to the. storm, which had already had the effect of interrupting similar military events. The King’s drive through the poorest parts of the town caused intense gratification. AAIERICAN AND BRITISH AVORKAIEN. The report of the Labour Commission under Air Alfred Aloseley, which recently visited the United States and inquired into the labour conditions there, states that employers in America offer their workmen inducements to extra effort. Employers in England regard machinery as entitling them to reduce wages when the earnings are high, while a contrary view is taken in Americ.?. The report pronounces the extreme specialisation of labour a great drawback, causing a train and shortening tho lives of Americans, whose hours are slightly longer than the British. The workmen of Britain are declared to be in advance of the American in tho matter of technical education, but the American workman is more energetic and sober and less addicted to sport. [Mr Alfred Moseley last year undertook the whole expense of two very interesting commissions, with the idea of -arousing British trade to be "up and doing,'’ and formulated the plan of showing picked men in the confidence of their fellows the ways in which their commercial rivals are progressing. After visiting the States, Mr Moseley found that while we were inclined to rest on our oars, the American studied, and investigated with an almost feverish restlessness. And he decided that education was at the root of the difference. These are some of the points to which Mr Moseley drew the attention of his first commission, which consisted of chosen representatives of tlie trades unions. This is the commission which has now reported. The second delegation is to study the education question both on the Continent am', in the States, especially with reference to commercial and industrial organisation.]

TROUBLE IN THE BALKANS. The role of the Bulgarian as the innocent victim of Turkish outrage and massacre is somewhat upset hy the authenticated. report of the destruction by Bulgarians of an exclusively Mussulman village. The murderous fury of the attacking party, inspired as they were by the inflammatory doctrines of the Macedonian Committees, led to a series of horrors, for which the blackest of the Armenian outrages would alone be a match. Not content with the massacre of 165 persons in eold blood, those ghouls proceeded to the most frightful mutilations and nameless acts of violence. Women with children were hacked by their weapons. One woman was impaled. Nothing but heroic patience can prevent the Turk from retaliating on such diabolical outrages, and a serious development may be expected at any moment. Hussein Tlilnii Pasha, Governor-Gene-ral of the Macedonian valayets, has assured a London “Times” interviewer that the Porte considered the Albanian question settled. Only a small and ignorant faction were concerned in the revolt. Twenty thousand troops were now massed round Mitrovitza, and were able to overcome the malcontents. He hoped to show within three months the proposed reforms in progress. Foreign diplomats, however, consider that Hilmi is too optimistic, and hold that the only solution of the trouble will be the complete disarmament and

military occupation of Albania. The Vienna “Freie Press” says that Russia demands £4BOO as compensation for the murder of M. Stehenbino, who died through wounds received in the action at Mitrovitza on April 2. The Czar’s Government further demands the despatch of 20,000 Anatolia a troops from Old Servia to permanently repress the Albanians. The third demand is for the erection of a chapel on the scene of Stehenbino’s murder.

Well-founded reports state that murders, pillage incendiarism ami atrocities of every description are occurring daily on the Balkan Peninsula, and that these outrages are committed alike by Albanians, Turks, Bulgarians and citizens and soldiers.

The Russian Black Sea volunteer fleet has been ordered to refuse cargoes, and prepare to mobolise.

The Suez Canal has been blocked since Monday week owing to a Russian cruiser sinking a barque in the water-way. The mail steamer Orizaba, homeward bound, was consequently delayed. Later advices state that the canal is again open for traffic. The Sultan’s second peace mission, under Sedik Pasha, has been received at Djakooitza. The party was previously warned that if they went there they would be treated like Mehcmet Ali Pasha, who was murdered by Albanian rioters at Ipok, on September, 1878. Eight battalions of Turkish troops are concentrated between Mitrdvitza and Uskule.

Ibrahim, the murderer of M. Stehenbino. the Russian Consul, has been sentenced io death at Mitrovitza, in accordance with the demand of the Czar’s Government that he should either suffer death or be released.

With the view of uniting to resist the reforms the Albanians have declared a tinee as regards intertribal squabbles. The Macedonian internal organisation has resolved to abandon the general insurrection for 1903, owing to Turkey's overwhelming military strength and the improbability of outside aid, and to coniine operations to guerilla warfare. A traitor informed the European Consuls at Salonika of the Bulgarian Revolutionary Committee’s methods, and stated that the inhabitants of Macedonia were under pain of death compelled to accept the committee’s bonds, repayable after Macedonia had been liberated u"om Turkish rule.

It is alleged that women carried revolutionary correspondence across the frontier; also that ISO Bulgarian officers disguised as pilgrims are now’ operating in Macedonia.

One hundred and twenty thousand rifles and large quantities of cartridge.', bombs and dynamite have been imported under guise of holy relies, the Customs officers conniving at the importation. It is expected that the rebellion will begin at the time of the Greek Easter holidays, when the railway bridges and tunnels will be dynamited, accompanied by wholesale incendiarism and a carnival of massacre and pillage. The “Tinies” is responsible for the statement, which was founded on reports

current in Sofia, to the effect that the leaders of the Macedonian internal organisation had decided to abandon their general insurrection. BAGDAD RAILWAY. The Imperial Ottoman Bagdad lla’lway Company has been constituted .'I. Constantinople with a capital of 15 million francs. Herr Gwinner, manager of the Deutsche Bank, of Berlin, acts as president of the company. The “Novo Vrentya” states that the German promoters have retained only. 20 per i-eni. of the capital of the Bagdad railway, while they induced French capitalists io take 40 per eent., and vainly applied to the Russians and Americans to furnish the remainder. It was only then that they trier! to raise the money in England. The “Times” says that if the management of the Bagdad railway is purely German then the British capitalists had better abstain from participating. The British newspapers suggest that Great Britain should insist as a condition of co-operation in the Bagdad railway on the option of purchase of all the German shares before they are offcred to any other nation, lest they should be transferred to Russia. The Kaiser has sent German officials to study the Bagdad railway problem, and to investigate American methods of colonising along the great railway tracks. It is understood that, these investigations are being made with a view to German colonisation along the Bagdad line.