The Wide World.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 21, 25 May 1910, Page 8

The Wide World.

CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF.

IMPERIAL

Tr HE King's funeral was a most impressive ceremony. The streets were filled with enormous crowds, but silence prevailed everywhere, broken only by the tolling of bells and the boom of the minute guns. Sir George Reid and Mr. Hall-Jones drove in a Royal carriage in the procession. ‘Most of the trains and trams came to a standstill while the service was being conducted. Seven Kings took part in the procession, as well as a large numher of Princes, Queens and Princesses. Tho service was conducted by the two Archbishops, the Bishop of Winchester and the Dean of Windsor. Mr. HallJones fell in a faint during the recital of the committal words, but subsequently recovered. It is estimated that over a million people viewed the procession. The remains were received with simple solemnity. The Primate and the Dean of Westminster, preceded by a golden cross, were waiting at the door of Westminster Hall, and they conducted the body to the catafalque. Lord Carrington, the Primate (Dr. Davidson) and officers of the Grenadiers and Yeomen of the Guard boro the coffin. On entering the Hall, King George supported Queen Alexandra, while the Dowager-Empress of Russia was on her left.

Princess Victoria and Queen Mary followed, and the Kings of Greece, Norway and Denmark came next, followed by the Princes and Ladies-in-Waiting. King George and the Royal mourners were grouped at the head of the coffin, and the Gentlemen-at-Arms on either side, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carrington and the Duke of Norfolk at the foot. Queen Alexandra knelt in silent prayer after the service, and King George raised and conducted her out.

Mr. Keir Hardie, during a visit to Franco, said that religion had made him a Socialist, and he thought the churches were more sympathetic to labour. The great leaders on the Continent had been discovering that behind Nature was a power unseen, but felt, and a world beyond death.

Lord and Lady Gladstone arrived in Cape Town, and were accorded a great ovation. Lord Selborne was also given a striking farewell. A submarine olf Portsmouth was submerged for over an hour, and was only brought to the surface again after considerable labour on tho part of tho crew. General Sir R. S. Baden-Powell has retired from the army, and intends to devote himself to organising the Boy Scouts. He hopes to visit Canada and South Africa.

Mr T. P. O'Connor, in an article in his weekly newspaper, is unable to see a basis of the suggested compromise on tlm political question. The “Daily News'* protests against Unionist attempts io extract party advantage from King Edward's death to gain time for the Lords. It adds that iiie Liberal policy is unaltered, though the time-table is inevitably changed. The elections will inoßb likely be held in November.

The Anglo-Japanese Exhibition at Shepherd's Bush was opened on Saturday last without ceremony by Prince Fushimi. Tho exhibits include extraordinary illustrations of Japan’s wonderland, including scenery representing the four seasons, a beautiful model of the sacred island of (Miyajima, and specimens of superb architecture and carvings covering 25 centuries. Tho London newspapers are enthusiastic over the unique spectacle presented by the exhibition, noting every portion of the Japanese section, which is wonderfully clever and plcturcsqua

FOREIGN.

Continual rumours arc current In (Europe that Japan will shortly annex Korea.

It was feared that Ecuador would declare war upon Peru, as an outcome of tho boundary- dispute, unless other Powers intervened, but a basis of mediation has been arrived at.

Tho four protecting Powers have intimated to tlm two parties in Crete that anles the Alu-tulman members are al-

lowed to sit in the Assembly the consequences will be very serious for the Cretans. Meetings have been held in various towns in Turkey to protest against the ■action of the Cretan Assembly in swearing allegiance to the King of the Hellenes. Resolutions have been passed urging the Albanians and Turks to cease their internal warfare and join forces ■against the Greeks. Wardany was sentenced io death for the assassination of Boutrous Pasha Ghali (late Egyptian Premier). Representatives of the Powers are pessimistic regarding grave fighting which has occurred in Morocco between the Sultan’s troops and the Haina, Tsoul, Branes and Riata tribesmen. The Sultan's troops sustained heavy losses in dead and wounded. A great number were taken prisoner, and many others deserted. The Sultan has sent all available reinforcements to the front, therebydenuding Fez of troops. Thirty-five negro convicts were burned to death through the setting fire of their stockade in Centreville, Alabama. When the stockade was ablaze the convicts tried to rush through the fire, but the guards shot one of them, and. the others, appalled, huddled back into the stockade. As the Ildhies encroached on them, the negroes made another dash for safety, but the guards fired another volley and wounded several. Many of the convicts were burned to death while struggling through the blazing timbers. A steamboat which was proceeding down the river Dnieper at Alexandrovsk, in Ekaterinoslav district, struck a rock, and was completely wrecked. She sank in a few minutes, and of the 94 workmen aboard, only- halt were saved, 47 lives being lost. Dr. Hyde has been sentenced to imprisonment for life for the murder of his father-in-law, Colonel Swope, the millionaire ami philanthropist.

THE COMMONWEALTH.

Victoria's butter exports show a big increase, the total for 10J months being 16.290 tons, as against 9.402 tons for the whole of last year.

The N.S.W. Cabinet has decided to increase the salaries of the public school teachers and the poorer paid officers of the Civil Service amt the Police Force. The sentences on the strike leaders were considerably reduced, and three of them have been liberated.