EUROPE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 6, 5 August 1908, Page 7

EUROPE.

The Czar and President Fallicrea met at Reval, and reaffirmed the allies’ firm desire to maintain and strengthen peace. Much satisfaction is shown in Germany over the semi-official announcement that King Edward, while journeying to Marienbad, will visit the Kaiser at Friedrichshof on August 11. Responding to the wish of the immense crowds which gathered in front of Yildiz Palace, the Sultan, Abdul Hamid, appeared at an open window and addressed his subjects. It is semi-officially announced that tho meeting between the Czar and French President, at Reval, has revealed a complete harmony of views between Franco and Russia on all international topics. Constitutional Reform in Turkey. The public are awakening to the fact that the Constitution is seriously meant, and realising that its establishment has saved the Empire from disruption, the people flocked to Yildiz Kiosk and cheered the Sultan. One procession numbered ten thousand. Every section of fine population participated in the rejoicings. The Sultan’s rescript declares that the wrong condition of things previously prevailing was the result of the Constitution not being enforced, tut the Sultan rejoices that he is now able to apply it, and hopes that the people will co-operate with Parliament in assisting the-Govern-ment and Sovereign. There has been a remarkable outburst of pro-British feeling in Stamboul, the populace attributing the granting of the Constitution to Britain’s policy. Officers belonging to the Young Turkey party had formed a plot to shoot the Sultan at the ceremony of Selamlik, and proclaim his grother Reshad. News of the plot was conveyed to the Sultan by his secret service agents, and lie forestalled the conspirators by granting the Constitution. The first meeting oi the new Parliament will be held on November 1. The Sultan promised that he would ever work for the happiness and security of his people. lie proclaimed a general amnesty, which will have the effect of liberating seventy thousand political prisoners. Cure of Cancer. Dr. E. Doyen, of Paris, who last year claimed to have discovered the cancer microbe, now claims to have discovered the action of the germ. Strike Riots in France. Owing to allegations that the authoriliad treated strikers in the sandpits at at Draveil and Vigneaux harshly, tho workmen in tho building and allied trades in Paris struck for a day, and organised a monster demonstration, proceeding to Vigneaux. The-chief organiser, named Grefuuelhes, a leading official of the General Confederation of Labour, had issued a manifesto frankly describing the demonstration as a preparatory skirmish in the coming war between the worker and tho “parasite,” meaning the capitalist. Anticipating an anarchist outbreak, two cavalry divisions were sent to assist the gendarmerie in the Vigneaux district. Four thousand Parisian strikers trudged tthither, and, after speeches, a large group, preceded by men waving red flags, started towards Melun, and came, in contact with detachments of cavalry, greeting them witii cries of “Down with the army!” Stones were thrown and sticks brandished to frighten the horses. After a fruitless parley, and following some pistol shots from the rioters, tho soldiers charged them and struck them with the flat of their sabres, speedily disposing the procession. Slimultaneously with the cavalry charge, another body was prevented from using a barricade. Bodies of dragoons and cuirassiers pursued them and, dismounting, fought their way up a railway embankment, and a hand-to-hand en-

counter took place over an improvised barricade of trucks. The most serious conflict occurred later in the main street. A barricade consisting of timber and chains was put across the street, and shots were fired from the barricades and also from windows and roofs of houses, besides showers of stones and bottles. The Prefect of the Department telegraphed for reinforcements,declaring that the strikers were masters of the situation. After vain appeals to the rioters, and firing four times into the air, tho troops fired a volley and wounded several and killed two outright, three of the wounded succumbing shortly afterwards. About twenty were injured in sabre charges. A bullet grazed a general on the foot, another hit a colonel on the shoulder. Twenty of the soldiers were wounded.