EUROPE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 22, 27 May 1908, Page 8

EUROPE.

Owing to Germany’s pressure the Porte Ims sanctioned a five hundred miles extension of the Baghdad railway, including the Taurus section to Mardin.

The Domna's Budget Committee has reported against the proposed vote of Lt 1,100,000 for the construction of battle•hips.

The Porte, under a threat of other proceedings, accepted the terms of M. Constans, French Ambassador, for the settlement of the coal mines’ dispute, at Heraelca, Asia Minor.

The committee of the Russian Upper House has approved the immediate construction of the Amur railway, despite Count de Witte’s warning that the cost would be thirty-two and ahull millions sterling.

German publicists warn the Government that General Sir fan Hamilton, General Officer commanding the Southern Districts, has visited St. Petersburg in order to arrange a military convention between England, France, and Russia, aimed at Germany.

A Terrible Visitation.

An epidemic of typhoid is visiting Moscow. Already there are some two thousand patients in the hospitals. The mortality among the unfortunate prisoners confined in the gaols, which are all terribly overcrowded, is awful.

Antarctic Exploration

The Pourquoi, a three-masted ship, with auxiliary steam power, has been launched at St. Malo, in France, and starts in a few months’ time with Dr. Jean Charcot’s Antarctic expedition. The expedition will proceed to Graham Land, and Dr. Charcot hopes to reach Alexander Land, journeying thence southwards, using motor sledges.

Germany and Tariff Reform.

The Berlin correspondent of “ The Times” says that in view of tariff reform prospects, in the light of the British byelections, Germany’s commercial relations with Great Britain are being anxiously discussed, and many consider that the anticipating of arrangements with Great Britain and the colonies might help to ward off the final force of any possible impending brow. “The South African Conference,” the correspondent adds, “is being closely watched, as well as the tariff discussion in Australia, and Germany is at the same time also straining every nerve to strengthen her footing in tl|? South ’Seas. “Canada has hitherto proved obdurate, but Germany would eagerly welcome the chance of renewing her relations with the Dominion.” From 1905 till 1907 Germany’s exports to countries having treaties of commerce on the basis of the German tariff increased by £28,650,000, or 28 per cent, and those to most favoured nations and States, including Great Britain. France, the United States, Holland, Denmark, India, Japan, and Argentine, by £24,400,000, or 14 per cent. Those to countries not regulated by any agreement increased by £2,900,000, or 22 per cent. German experts estimate that the reduction of the British sugar duty by 50 per cent, as foretold in Mr. Asquith's Budget, will benefit the German sugarexport trade to the extent of 2/71 per sack.

Belgian Railway Disaster.

A railway collision, attended by consequences nearly as fearful as that at Braybrook, Victoria, last month, has occurred near Antwerp. Two passenger trains, when going at a fast rate of speed, collided and several carriages were terribly smashed, many passengers being killed. So far twenty-six bodies have been extricated, and others are pinned within the wreckage. Details of the Antwerp collision show that the victims were mutilated and crushed in a ghastly manner, several bodies being decapitated. A severed hand was found, the clenched fingers of which held tight an ear, which had been torn off in a frantic struggle for life. So far 40 bodies have been extricated from the wreckage, but the remains are in most cases scarcely recognisable. Over 80 were injured, many seriously. The signalman who fled was later arrested, but subsequent to his arrest he became suddenly demented.

Russia and Finland.

M. Stolypin, Premier, has affirmed that one of Russia’s principal grievances against Finland was that the Finnish Diet adopted laws affecting Imperial interests without consulting the Imperial Government. The indications are that M. Stolypin will consult the Finns on a bill regarding Finland about to be introduced into the Douma. M. Stolypin, Premier and Minister of

the Interior, in an ominous speech at the Douma, commenting on the fact that Finland -was harbouring revolutionaries, foreshadowed legislation placing Finland’s relations with Russia on a more national basis, while respecting her autonomous rights. The Finnish Senate has resigned owing to the unfavourable effect produced by M. Stolypin’s speech in the Duma.

Franco-German Amenities.

The “Daily Mail’s” Bed in correspondent says that the Foreign Office is investigating a complaint from the Legation at Fez that one of the G irman Consuls sent a messenger with a Tetter to the commander of a neighbouring French force.

When the messenger reached the camp, it is reported, the French soldiers beat him, and one of the soldiers spat on the letter.

The incident will lead to immediate representations to France.

Francis Josef’s Jubilee.

Eighty-two thousand Vienna school children marched in procession to the Emperor Francis Josef’s castle at 'Schoenbrinn, in connection with His Majesty’s diamond jubilee celebrations.

The Emperor was enthusiastically cheered by the children when he appeared to address them.