ASIA.

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

ASIA.

‘‘The Times’ ” Simla correspondent emphasises that the continued smuggling of breach-loaders into Afghanistan will mean a formidable increase of the Afghans’ offensive strength, and an encouragement to tribal insurrection. Typhoon at Hong; Kong. A typhoon, lasting for two hours, was experienced in Hongkong on July 27. Much damage was done to shipping by the typhoon, especially to the frail wooden craft of the Chinese, many of which were smashed to atoms. The British torpedo boat destroyer Whiting parted from her moorings and drifted ashore. The passenger steamer Yin-King met the full force of the storm and foundered. Twelve are known to have been drowned, while three hundred, mostly Chinese, are missing, and it is feared that all have lost their lives. Advices received from Hongkong stale that during Wednesday’s typhoon thousands of Chinese were drowned. The damage to native craft was very great, and, in addition (o a great number of small boats, a hundred fairly largo vessels were wrecked. Suppressing Sedition in India.. The Sessions Judge at Aligns!:, Northwest Province, sentenced Hotil VVarna to seven years’ transportation for sending a seditious telegram to the native newspaper “Bande Mataram.” Accused has travelled widely in Europe and the Far East, and had in hia possession a complete manuscript of lectures and a preparation for filling highly explosive bombs. Affairs in Bombay arc now quiet. Tho majority of the mills are working, and the markets and shops have been reopened. Seven of the rioters were convicted on charges of stone-throwing, and have been sentenced to twelve months’ rigorous imprisonment.