EUROPE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 12, 16 September 1908, Page 7

EUROPE.

Thirty-seven cases of cholera, 12 ot which have resulted fatally, are reported in St. Petersburg. The German Government is building several war balloons to station at important posts near the French frontier line. A jury at Seine has acquitted Gregori. military writer for the Parisian newspaper “Gaulois,” of the charge of attempting to murder Dreyfus by shooting at him on the occasion of the ceremony of transferring the remains of Emile Zola to the Pantheon, Paris, on June 4. In the past three years there has been a decline of seventy per cent- in the number of applicants for ordination in Uso Catholic Church in France, owing to the preeariousness of the livings under Hie system of voluntary contributions for tho support of the clergy since the disestablishment of the Church Vignerons Lose a Million. The champagne district of France has been devastated by mildew, and it is expected that the crop will yield only 20,000 hectolitres, entailing a loss to growers of £ 1,800,000. 'Warned Off. The ‘’Daily Chronicle” states that M. Ac'igart, a French deputy, who was unofficially following the German army manoeuvres, was called upon to produce his authorisation to attend, and, being unable to do so, was arrested and expelled from Alsace-Lorraine. France resented Germany’s concentration of 80,000 troops on the Alsatian frontier, and declined to send the customary military mission to accompany thr German forcM.

German Taiei, An article in the “North German Garotte” implies a heavy additional taxation of articles of general consumption, more especially of luxuries. Taxes will also be levied on gas and electricity, and there will be an extension of legacy duties. Aanexation of the Congo. The Senate at Brussels by 63 votes to 24, adopted a motion in favour of the annexation of the Congo. The Belgian Government has had great difficulty in formulating an annexation scheme which would satisfy the Chamber, and the matter has been under discussion for some years. The compromise now agreed upon includes execution by the Belgian .State of public works to the amount of two and a-half millions sterling, and payment by the Belgian Treasury of fifteen annuities of £120,000 to the King, apart from the existing Civil List, this money to be spent on works specified by the King. Leopold retains a large area as his private domain, this including some rich gold-bearing reefs. The status of Congo natives under the Belgian regime, and the conditions under which foreign trade must bo carried out, aro included in the annexation scheme. No tiling Comes Amiss to Him The German army manoeuvres have dosed the Kaiser took supreme command, first with the reds and next with the blues. It was noticed that his side always won. Ihe artillery mowed the enemy down at under 1000 yards range. The French Government gave the Kaiser permission to motor a short distance across the frontier to save a long detour. The Kaiser also directed a magnificent opectular ballet at Berlin. In addition he was responsible for drawing the designs for the dresses. The Kaiser, replying to the Burgomaster’s address at Kolmar, expressed himself as touched by the great affection and enthusiastic warmth of the reception accorded him everywhere in AlsaceLorraine and Kolmar. "I joyfully watch their development,” ho continued. “This development, thanks bo to God, -will be brought to fruitage under the protection of the German eagle, and under my standard, and please God it will never be disturbed. The country has undergone vicissitudes, but is now able to extend and develop itself in peace. “Peace,” added the Kaiser, “will be maintained, and the country will be able, to flourish and thrive. Kolmar and all Alsace may rest assured that they have a specially safe and warm corner in my heart.” Tolstoy’s Birthday. Count Leo Tolstoy, Whose eightieth birthday occurred on September 10th, celebrated the occasion by spending a quiet day with his family. He intimates that he has been greatly touched by the world-wide greetings received. Wfeolesale. The defalcations of JI. Alberti, exMinister of Justice for Denmark, who, os director of the Zetland Peasants’ Savings Bank, defrauded that institution, amount to the huge sum of a million Sterling.