GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XX, 16 May 1903, Page 1357

GENERAL CABLES.

THE KING’S TOUR. President Loubet, in a telegram to King Edward, says he is delighted at the good impression His Majesty has carried away as the result of his visit. He most warmly thanks him for his sentiments so kindly manifested towards the French people and Government. The King was accorded a splendid ovation at Portsmouth and London; DEADLY SUBMARINES. Two submarines in some manoeuvres at La Rochelle attacked the “enemy’s” ironclads forward. They then plunged and attacked them aft. Eye witnesses declare that in aetual warfare the whole division would have been annihilated. AMIDSHIPS. M. Santos-Dumont ascended in a navigable balloon to a considerable height above Paris, and carried out successful evolutions. M. Lebandy has also ascended in a steerable balloon at Nantes. The weather was rainy and windy, and he travelled 37 kilometres in. 90 minutes, and 7 made various evolutions at an altitude of 300 metres. 1 • PURSUIT OF THE MULLAH. General Manning is collecting the scattered posts along the Obbia line. The Mullah is quiescent. Italy’s backwardness in occupying Mudug and other points ~ on the Italian hinterland now, in British possession is ' hindering operations. -- A rumour is current at Aden that the Mullah attacked a British column at Galadi, but was repulsed with heavy loss. It is stated the British losses were considerable. Five thousand Indian camels have been purchased for Somaliland. THE RAGGING SCANDAL. Replying in the House of Lords to.the Duke of Bedford’s criticism on the action of placing Colonel Kinloch on the retired list in connection with the “fagging” in the Guards, Earl Roberts declared that the decision was in accordance with the regulations, and also in the best interests of the Army. He would not allow the honourable traditions of the Army to be sullied by a disgusting and degrading form of bullying. JEWS IN RUSSIA. Hundreds of Jewish families fearing massacre have left Kiel!. Troops are patrolling the streets. Assemblages have been forbidden, and the populace lias been warned that troops in ease of need will use their weapons. [Despite the exodus of such vast nunilieis of Jews from Russia through persecution, the total Jewish population in that country is estimated nt 5,142.195'0ut of 8,551,581 in the whole of Europe. The jiriwaiy grounds for the contempt for —so easily turn-d’s the hatred of—the Russian Jew is the heart!; ss and ingenious extortion that he is apt to practise upon the ignorant niujik. or peasant, who only too readily places- himself in a time of local'depression at the mercy of these Shylocks. Giving the best of security in real estate, the unfortunate mnjik has often to pay many hundred per cent, in interest before he is quit of his debt. The not unusual consequence of all this is that the patience of the victim is likely to give way, and that he is prone to show his contempt, not only against the bloodsucker, but against the Hebrew race in general.] ' SOUTH AFRICA. It has been ascertained that the deaths at Johannesburg, which were feared to bo due to an outbreak of bubonic plague, were due to pneumonoconiosis, an inflammatory condition of the lungs, due to the inhalation of irritating particles. Mr Chamberlain, in a speech which elicited warm commendations fvroin both sides of the House of Commons, explained the resolution guaranteeing a development loan for the Transvaal of 35 millions, which was asked conditional upon a war contribution of 30 millions from

the latter to be derived from a future Joan secured on the Transvaal’s resources. The realisation of the enormous potential resources of South Africa would, he said, require similar treatment to Australia and Canada in the way ot State intervention for providing the capital required to enable South Africa to find its own H4.-essaries before it eould ever become an important exporter. The Motherland would treat the new colonies, apart from direct Imperial interests, as self-governing, which was the only wise and only possible policy. The bulk of the development loan would be devoted to the discharge of existing liabilities. To readjust the present charges and refund to the Exchequer six millions would be advanced, so that the Motherland would receive 36 instead of 30 millions.

The Transvaal would also pay two millions compensation to loyalists as regards the first Boer invasion. Furthermore, the conversion of debts ami purchase of railways would leave nine and ahalf millions, whereof five would be devoted to the development of railways two and a-half millions to land settlement, two millions to roads and irrigation services. The loan would absorb £1.400,000 per annum, calculated at 4 per eent. for interest and redemption. This would be a first charge on the intercolonial council of the two colonies, and the subsidiary Transvaal revenues. It is estimated that after three years, with assistance from the Transvaal surplus, the loan will leave a surplus of £ 300,000 for further development. That marvellous result was due to Lord Milners energy, ability and unexampled devotion. The resolution was agreed to without a division. THE PERSIAN GULF. Lord Lamington raised a question in the House of Lords of Russia’s growing ascendency in Persia. He added that the only object of any Russian outlet in the Gulf was the establishment of a naval base threatening India and the trade of the southern seas. Lord Lansdowne, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said that it. was owing to British expenditure of lives and money that the Gulf was open to navigation to the world. Our policy he continued, was firstly to protect, and promote British trade without excluding the legitimate trade of others and next —and he would say it without hesitation—Great Britain would regard the establishment of a naval base or fortified port on the Gulf by any other Power as a very grave menace to British interests and would certainly resist it by all the means at her disposal, (Cheers.) He would say this in no minatory spirit, because he was not aware of any such project being afoot.

[Lord Lansdowne’s statement will occasion the profoundest relief in everyone who has followed the growing power of Russia in the Persian Gulf. As Sir 11. 11. Johnston has asserted, the independence of Persia is probably one of the few points worth lighting for; and the paramountcy of Great Britain in the Gulf is, as Lord Lansdowne has implied, in the-cabled report above, an essential to the safety of oqr Empire in India. Russia’s influence, as has been often before indicated in these columns, lias grown by almost imperceptible stages, to a really dangerous height at last. This influence she lias acquired by judiciously working for a favoured trade, by the building of railways, by lib era! loans, and by a special tariff included

lu a oiniueruial agreement lunounced early in February. This treaty, iu view of the KerlousneAa of its issues, may now l»v briefly glanced ut. It is provided then, that the 5 cent, ad valorem duties introduced by the Turkoman Chai Treaty of IK2N shall ho superseded by specific duties, and that the majority of the Persian export duties shall be aljollshed. At the saute time, Persia has pledged herself to abaudon for ever the system of farming taxes, ami at suitahic points to establish Government Customs stations: further, to arrange details regarding the payment of t'ustoms and storage by agreement with Russia, to erect storehouses at the Customs stations, and to grant storage duty free for a year. Persia also agrees to abolish trathe and toil dues, apart from certain special taxes which may be introduced by arrangement with the Russian Ministry at Teheran for the use of high roads. Couched as it is in language that involves soineting of the “exaggeration of understatement,'* it will be seen that this agreement is of the profoundest sign I titanic to Great Britain.J

RUSSIA IN MANCHURIA. Russian troops from Niuchwang recently went to Port Arthur and stations along the railway line. A portion ot them have now returned, bringing several large guns. Others have been ordered to reoccupy Tien-chwangtai. The Russians are constructing forts on the hills between Tianyung and Yalu, and have accumulated stores of coal, provisions and war material, and have bought many horses. There are indications of an increase in the forces in Manchuria, and there are now 14,000 between the mouth ot the Liao River and Port Arthur. Dr Morrison, the “Times”. correspondent. asserts that China has instructed the Treaty Commissioners not to discuss with America the opening of new treaty ports because Russia forbids it, bat China will tell the American and other Ministers that they never intended to open new ports. The “Daily Telegraph,” commenting on Air Hay’s policy of joint pacific pressure on Russia, declares that the latter considers the mobilisation of the Japanese fleet as sufficient warrant for her defensive attitude at Niuchwang. Mr Hay docs not share in that view. The New York “Times” says Russia gives America a fair opportunity of underwriting the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Reuter’s Yokohama correspondent states that there are persistent reports that Russian detachments have entered Corea ostensibly to protect the lumber concessions. A large Russian force is approaching Wihu. The Corean Government is protesting against the invasion. China latterly has been apparently willing, in collection with the American and Japanese projected commercial treaties, to open Mukden and Tatungaii to foreign trade, but Russia’s coup at Niuchwang will imperil the above treaties.

Air Hay, considering that America is directly interested, and learning officially of the increased garrison at Niuchwang, has asked President Roosevelt to authorise America to take joint, action with Britain and Japan to compel the evacuation of Manchuria without committing America to a formal alliance. The reoccupation of Niuchwang Is interpreted at Washington as an attempt to secure the monopoly of the sea entries to Alanchuria, and is interpreted at Pekin as a reply to China’s rejection of the Russian conditions of evacuation;

also as an intimation to the world of Russia's readiness to tight to maintain possession of Manchuria. The temporary withdrawal was merely a feint, awaiting the approach of the Russian squadron.

Russia has established a Consulate at Mukden.

Diplomatists at Pekin were astonished to learn on Thursday that although there is plenty of available land at Niuchwang Russians had taken charge of a tract across the river commanding the terminus of the Shanhaikwan railway, ostensibly for the purposes of a drill ground. Mr Conger, U.S.A. Minister, has wired Mr Hay, Secretary of State, that the Russians had re-entered Niuchwang and subsequently retired. Other reports state that they have again withdrawn their troops from the forts at the mouth of the Liaaon River.

Mr Hay is publishing the despatches relating to China; they show that Count Lansdorf, on being reminded of his promises regarding China, denied America’s right to intervene between Russia and China. On being further confronted with the pledges given by Russia, he repeated that he was still for the open door in Manchuria in so far as that word was understood by Russians. THE BALKAN TROUBLE. There are signs of disaffection in every Asiatic battalion in Albania on learning that it is to be employed on behalf of the Christian cause against the Mussulmans. Hilmi Pasha, by means of specious promises of brilliant employment, is trying to induce the Albanian leaders to proceed to Constantinople. He has arrested twenty Albanian boys at Prizrand to send to Constantinople. A bomb factory has been discovered in a house at Salonika, kept by an Italian woman. Five inmates resisted the search, and threw bombs at the intruders. Two of the inmates were killed, two committed suicide, and one was captured.

Thirteen Bulgarians defended another house in Salonika against search, and all were killed.

The German warship Loreley, at present at Constantinople, has been ordered to Salonica.

The number of Bulgarians killed at Salonica was below one hundred.

Stores of dynamite have been discovered at Uskub, where a Bulgarian was arrested for firing the steamer Guadelquiver at Salonica on Tuesday, and endangering 150 passengers. The “Times” Sofia correspondent states that Turkey, in a Note to Bulgaria, refers to the exportation of Bulgarian explosives, and incursions into Macedonia. Bulgaria objected to the strong language of the Note, which was not formally accepted. The protest necessitated an equally strong reply. Pourpareers are proceeding. The “Standard’s” Constantinople correspondent says there is an impression that Russia is driving Turkey into an imbroglio with Bulgaria. Other advices state that Britain, France and Italy have notified the Porte that indemnities have been claimed by subjects suffering by the Salonica disturbance. »

Charges of dynamite were laid between the bank and post office at Salonica on Wednesday, and the batteries were in working order. The wires, however, broke, otherwise the foreign quarter would have been It is reported at Buda-Pesth that 400 carriages of the Klausenberg-Kron-stadt railway have been ordered to be in readiness for the conveyance of troops. Two officers of the Austrian General Staff have arrived at Klausenberg. One proceeded to Pridcal, on the Roumanian frontier.

The Turkish battalion at Okirida encountered a strong body of revolutionaries. A hundred soldiers were killed, and ten officers were also killed, and six wounded. Seventy revolutionaries were killed and 21 wounded.

A fight occurred at Baintza, near Seres. Sixty Bulgarians, including Deltzeuff, their leader, were killed. The Turkish casualties were eight- Tiiirty houses were burnt.

The “Weiner AHgemeiner Zeitung” says that Turkey is resolved to take extraordinary measures in Macedonia. Turkey insists on the withdrawal of the Bulgarian Bishop from Macedonia, and the recall of the Bulgarian commercial agents from Monastic. The latter are accused of complicity in the revolution.

Bulgaria has appealed to Russia to induce the Porte to modify the minatory note issued by the Sultan.

While Av.stro-Russian influence is dissuading the Sultan from aggressive measures, Bulgaria is suspected by Germany of prompting Turkey to a policy of action.

Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria is in Paris, spending his time in recreation and gaiety.

A desperate fight took place near Veles. A band of Bulgarians were surrounded and lost 42 killed and wounded.

The survivors escaped during the night, throwing a collection of bombs and inflicted great losses on the Turks. The “Times” states that the Sultan of Turkey has withdrawn his recent Note on Bulgarian incursions into Macedonia, and the use by the insurrectionaries of explosives. This withdrawal was due to the objections by Bulgaria of the strong language employed in the Note. Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria is said to be suffering from a bad throat. It is asserted that a Macedonian pamphlet accuses him of betraying national ideals, and threatens him.