Weekly Mail

NEW FLYING MACHINE. ¥ M. SANTOS-DUMONT TRIES r HIS "HYDROPLANE. .-=- J On the Seine on1 Jfo'nda-y, i'™ 1 presence of crowds of spect-at-ois, M. Santos- Dnmofnt made trials of and 1 buoyancy of the hydroplane which he has construoted to gain the wager of 50,000 francs mode by him recently. The experi- ments wer, surprisingly successful in I demonstrating clearly both the stability and the buoyancy of the machine.—Renter. 1

THE PLOT AGAINST LORD ASHTOWN. 1 JUDGE SCATHES SUBORNED POLICE. County-court Judge Fitzgerald resumed the hearing at Waterford on Monday of Lord < Ashtown's claim for zE.200 for damage to his 1 shooting lodge at Glenaheiry, on August 14 by < a bomb explosion. < Patrick Fraiier, for nine years a stableman i at Glenaheiry, and who left two years ago, < said that Sweeney, an under-gamek&eper to J Lord Ashtown, showed him two pots (pro- duced) on Saturday, and asked him if he i knew them. Witness deposed that the pots ] he used had no handles, but a lug like that ] on a portion of the pot found after the explo- ] sion. ] A Mrs. Williamson also asked witness to 1 swear to the pot for Lord Ashtown. An officer of the police force stated tha.t 1 Mrs. Williamson identified a fragment of the • pot with a lug as like that she left in the pump-house at Glenaheiry with whitewash ] in it. Constable Cregan, Royal Irish Constabn- lary, was oalled, and denied having been notified by Lord Ashtown's gamekeeper on August 9 that Lord Ashtown was coming to ] shoot at Glenaheiry. His likeiy time of 1 arrival was generally notified by letter. t District-inspector Preston, the police officer ( who had suggested. that Lord Ashtown was the originator of the explosion, said Lord 1 .Ashtown's arrival was usually commanicated ] to him by the District-inspector of Athenry, and he then informed the police at Bailyma- ( carberry. He received no communication on i this occasion. This closed the case for the j distriot council. J Mrs. Graham, wife of the gamekeeper, was called by Mr. Campbell, and said that on Saturday she was driving home to Gen a- r hoiry in a break with Mr. Higgins, Lord Ashtown's solicitor, and Mr. Hackett, the ] county surveyor. When they reached Bally- 1 macarberry they were set upon by a mob. Mr. Mori arty objected, but the judge < allowed the question. She said it was one o'clock in the morning. < They were driving to the lodge, and at Bally- macarberry, which is ten minutes from the ] lodge, a large mob of people was gathered. They hooted and hissed them and threw 1 stones or gravel in handfuls. She got a ] blow on the arm. She had her three-mouths'- old baby in her arms. There were no police to protect them. She and her husband were < in bed together when the explosion occurred. They ran downstairs together in their night- clothes, and found the place on fire. Reply- ing to Mr. Healy, she said Lord Ashtowu was a.bout the place after the explosion, and with their assistance put out the fire with water carried in pots and cans. She was examined closely about the closing and fastening of the windows on the night of the occurrence, which she explained was done on this occasion by her sister and Alice Cudd, who was staying in the house. She made a statement to Head-constable O'Leary on the morning of the explosion about the fastening of the window. Mr. Healy demanded the production of the statement, but Mr. Preston said it was in tho police barracks at Cappoquin. The Judge: It seems to me there is nothing here that ought to be. In reply to further questions by Mr. Healy, witness said she did know that the case the police were making was that the windows wore wide open at the time of the explosion. APPLAUSE NIPPED IN THE BUD. James Cudd, brother-in-law of Graham, the gamekeeper, gave evidence that he was present when Graham told Constable Cregan that Lord Ashtown was coming on the 12th. This concluded the evidence, and Mr. Moriarty addressed the court against the application of Lord Ashtown, whom he denounced as an outrage-monger." At the conclusion of Mr. Moriarty's speech there was applause in the court, whereupon the judge ordered the section of the cham- ber from which it emanated to be cleared. Mr. Campbell, replying on behalf of Lord Ashtown, said it was an infamous thing, having regard to the assault made on parties returning to Glenaheiry. to bring the man Fraher to traduce Mrs. Williamson at a time when it was known that she could not have been ia Waterford. The only charge he made against District-inspector Preston was that in the report he issued he did not give the whole facts, and that he pickcd out every little point that he thought wodld tell against Lord Ashtown. The inevitable offect of that report, fastening, as it gought to do, the responsibility for the outrage on Lord Ashtown or someone in his household, was tha.t the real miscreants in the per- petration of this diabolical outrage would eucape for ever. This report would make Mr. Preston the white-haired bey" in certain quarters for the future, and if he were got into any trouble, there would be no unpleasant questions asked about him in the House of Commons. Referring to the allegation that Lord Aetrtonvn was drunTc on tiie morning of this outrage, he said tha £ was a most despicable incident in this unnappy business put for- ward through the police by the other side. They were in possession of that evidence on Saturday, and they had not the courage to put a single question t-o Lord Ashtown on the subject which would give him an oppor- tnnity of denying it. On all the facte as disclosed, he asked his lordship to find that there was no foundation for the theory put forward by the other side, supported ny District-inspector Preston, that the outrage was committed by Lord Ashtown himself or with his connivance. A SCATHING JUDGMENT. His Lordship, after a short deliberation, said he found and docidcd that this exp'o- sion was a malicious outrage committed by some person or persons unknown. He was of opinion that there was no foundation whatever for the imputations, charges, insinuations, and suggestions which from first to last in this cas-e had been heaped upon Lord Aahtown and his innocent servants, which had their origin mainly in that egregious document called the report of District-inspector Preston. Of the constable who made tha.t roport-manufaotured or prepared it-lhe had his own opinion, but he preferred to say nothing. He expressed it as his deliberate opinion that it was a gross < impropriety to publish and circulate that < document in anticipta-tion of that trial, and that it was to the prejudice of the adminis- tra,tion of justice. He felt very strongly on ] this point. The administration of justice should be above suspicion, and any attempt to ( interfere with it was false to the principles ] of honesty and fairplay, and in this ease it had been the cause of a gross hardship to < one of the parties. £ Evidence was then given of value, and his 1 Lordship fixed £ 140. < He directed the Olerk of the Crown to tax 1 the costs on a principle that would indemnify Lord Ashtown for the heavy expenses ] vexatiously forced upon him. He also asked 1 County-inspector Jennings to inform him what the area of the levy would be during ] the week. He would not consult the district- ¿ inspector (Preston), on acco-unt of the f opinion he formed of him in this case. i ( 1

OIL FUEL FOR THE NAVY. 4 OIL TO BE SUBSTITUTED FOR COAL. A number of leading papers in America, including those known as semi-official organs, publish a story to the effect that the British Government has fully decided on expert advice to substitute oil for Welsh coal at all naval baaes throughout the world, and that important concessions have been pur- chased by tne British Admiralty on all oil- produoing lands in Nigeria. The new.s has come as a surprise to United States naval men, as it was thought that the use of oil for British warships was merely one of those experimental matters which see years roll by before the announcement of a decision. London correspondents of American papers vouch for the truth of the story, and give facts as to the purchase of a large quantity of oil from Texas, which is stored a.t present at the Falkland Islands. A leading Chicago paper, whose London correspondent is generally well informed, gives the price pa.id for the oil from Texas and the exact port of shipment. He goes on to state that great secrecy has been main- tained by the Admiralty as to the Nigerian concessions, as some difficulty arose before tie completion of the matter. The efficacy of oil as fuel for steamers was recently demonstrated when the Goldmouth, CK the Shell Line, one of Sir Marcus Samuel's ships, arrived at Rotterdam, after steami.ig from Singapore round the Cape, a distance of 11,791 miles, in fifty-two days without a stop, l°ngef5t non-stop run ever made. ftxporimentg have been carried on far some time past in the Navy to test the value of oil fuel, and as a result the torpedo-boat Gadfly has been given furnaces adapted only for oil, there bein-g no provision for burning coal. The oil, which would appear to he crude Texan oil, bourns without smoke or smell, and requires only one stoker, instead of several. On the Dreadnought, also, stowage for oil fuel has been arranged for, and tanks for the storage of the fuel have been constructed at Portland and several other stations.

SHOT WITHOUT TRIAL. Seven workmen and one girl were shot at Lodz on Monday without trial for being implicated in the murder on the 13th inst. of M. Bttbensteiu, a factory owner.—Renter.

THE CRISIS ON THE RAILWAYS. + VIGOROUS SPEECH BY MR. BELL AT CARDIFF. Mr. Richard Bell, M.P., general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Ser- vants, addressed a great meeting of members of the o-rganisiation in the Park-hall, Cardiff, on Sunday afternoon. On arriving he met with an enthusiastic reception from an audi- ence which numbered about 3,003. He corn- nienced by romarking tha.t wthen the meeting was first arranged aaid he promised to speak it was not contemplated that the subject he had to address thorn upon would have reached the present stage. The meeting had been somewhat changed in its abject, and ha.d been turned into one of or for inspira- tion. No one realised more than he did that a railway strike would bo a terrible calamity to this country. Therefore, he felt that if anything could be done it ought to be done before the blow was struck, and he went furtuOT, and said that it should be done. The ra-ilway companies should consider this point equally with the men and their leadetrg, ¡ and if they did danger would be averted—at any^ rate, for the present. The railway share- holders did not consult anyone as to whom they sihoudd elect to conduct negotiations on thfci.'r behalf. They had got managers and officials. Why deny to the workmen the same right of representation? It had been sa.id by the '"Western Mail" that he ceroid tiot be received by the diireotore because he did not represent the opinion of all the (A Voice; "You do")—but he had the right to speak in the name of the large number who formed that organisation. Railway share- holders were not always unanimous, and yet they had their spokesmen. THE LAST TIME OF ASKING. The companies had refused the men's officials recognition en former occasions, and they had not since decided anything to the con- trary. Every time tihe request had been sent back it had come up again stronger than ever. (Cihoeirs.) Now it had arisen again, and it had come up for the last time. (Loud cheering.) It was for the men now to sho'w whether or not they were in earnest. He hoped that the railway companies would convinced that the men were this time i,n earnest, and that they would act the part of gentlemen and concede the men official recognition. The Western Mail" and other newspapers said that the men were content—(laughter)—and well paid, and that, therefore, their demands were put in the background and official recognition of the Union was advocated instead, but he would ask- what was the use of pushing forward MR. RIOHARD BELL, M.P. I their demands, which had been sent in, until the directors would consent to meet the men's representatives with a. view to discuss sucih doraandfi. It was said that tileit demands were so tlmt they would m-ean ruin to the railway companies. He knew that they were fairly high—(laugh- ter) out they W;vro the mar-mttm. The cocm- panics' nji71,7rnl-m was. "Te can give you notmug." (Shame.) The companies said: 1 our maximum is too high." The men replied; "Your minimum is too low." Then he said: us mwt and see what we can arrive at between such maximums and mini- irmirs." (Lo-uci cheers.) The railway men's executive wure not responsible for the fall of t-en. millions in the value of railway stock. He was berry for anyone who dropped money —(laughter)—but if the shareholders allowed themselves to be exploited the Amalgamated Society of Railway ServaJits cmild not help it. Th-rn"e irerne fctoomsaruciH of iirrita/tijagr grievances which railnwaymen were suffering throughout the country" which could be removed at no expanse to the companies but to the material advantage of the mffil. There were thousands of inata.ncee in which im- provement in wages and honrs could be •seC'Tirod without any extraordinary demand on tihe eharciholders' pocket. These thin-gs could be talked over and thrashed out at a meeting between the companies and the men's representatives. (Cheers.) STRENGTH OF THE UNON. In reply to those who pointed out that there were only 97,000 men in his society, whereas the number of railway workers was about -81.OC0, he said that half the latter number were either not eligible to join the Union or their membership of it was objected to by the railway companies. It had been stated that the withdrawal of 97,000 would not have amy effect upon the railway service, that there could be a reduced service, and that before talking of a strike they should get all the men. to join the Union, He replied that their strength lay in. the centres. If ail the men in the Union within, a radfius of twelve miles from Cardiff were withdrawn from work would it be an easy matter to work the traffic? (Cheers.) Withdraw the 97,000 men from the centres throughout the United Kingdom, and it would not be found so simple and easy to work the railways. It had been said that the railway companies could close the signal cabins in the country districts a.nd dxaflt the mem to more impor- tant posts. But if they got a signalman froan a little branch line where there was not much traffic and put him into a Cardiff junc- tion-box the matter would soon be settled. (Groat laughter.) The railwaymen's society knomv thetLr business. They had considered all these possibilities. He might in some quarters be thought stow,.but he was fairly sure. (Cheers.) When drawing his plans he thought the matteir over again and again. He calculated what each step' was going to lead to, and when he became satisfied there was no turning back. (Oheers.) I have," he proceeded, "studied this question most care- fully, because I know that upon my shouiLders ,rwt,s a very great and heavy responsibility. Before I embark upon any moveanent or associate with those who do so I want to be satisfied that there are none to be sacrificed. While my executive and I are well cojivinced of the determination of the men I thought that the best thing after all was to make absolutely sure by giving the men an oppor- tunity of signifying their intentions by ballot. (Cheers.) I kmtoiw that there have bdeln a. laj-ge niianiber—and I appreciate fully thv-r envrrusiakim-who say that instead of ballot papers' there sbouid have been strike notices. (Cheery.) I know a great many who hold that opinion, but, sCJlllle of us who have the responsibility on otix shoulders have the right to be perfectly satisfied as to any step we take. Therefore, the executive at the last meeting decider that ballot papers should be issued to our members, and that they should state on those papers whether they were pre- pared to press this thing to an extreme. A WARNING. The ballot paper.? will be in your hands next week. They will be conveyed from tne head- office during the. week. Let every man think over his parper, and do not forget while you think that if you throw away this opportu- nity now, then the condition of the railway service, bad as it may be now, is not one fraction of what it will be in the very near future. (Hear, hear.) Rely upon that. You have forced the movement on. You have forced us who have been leading you. Rail- way directors and officials have been "worried and harassed. If after tha.t you let this movement fizzle out tiheoo people won't forget. There will be much greater suffering in the railway service than ever before if the move- menot is allowed to drop before you have established the principle of the right of your officials to negotiate for you. Within twelve months from to-day there will be hundreds who will regret that ever this movement was started. You will have demonstrated your weakness. The companies will know their strength, and you will have to pay that penalty. I ask you when you are consider- ing the ballot paper to take into considera- tion your fellows. There is the duty on an occasion like this of full and complete loyalty to each other—(cheers)—and to those whom you put in the front of the movement. I ask you to give us the confidence and sup- port that we deserve, and if you do so I ven- ture to say that this movement will be suc- cessful, and, I hope, without drawing blood. (Oheers.) TEXT OF THE BALLOT PAPER. The ballot paper reads as foUows: —'Are you in favour of handing in your notice to with- draw your labour at a given time in order to secure representation by the society's officials to negotiate a national programme decided by your delegates at the conference?' (Voices: Yes.') Well, put it on the p-aper when you get it." In reply to the criticiscme of Mr. Fox, the secretary of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Fire- men, he doolared that his statement was absolutely without foundation, and that thera wore thousands of men in Mr. Fox's. ( society who would repudiate it. "If we came to the time when the blow has to be struck," added Mr. Bell, "we shall have thousands of Associated men among us. When you have filled your ballot papers up we are not going to call you immediately out on strike until we have made a11othe:i" effort. (Cheers.) But because I say this I must not be mistaken, I must not be thought to show weakness. There is no weakness in this business. I have never felt so strong, and sure, and determined in an ything I have undertaken in my life as I am on this question. Though I may hesitate a little bit it is only to give an opportunity for the thing to be settled without any rupture if we can. If a rupture doss take place the railwaymen and their leaders will not be responsible for it, for nothing will have been left undone or untried to avoid it. The issue is in your hands. We a-vcait your answer. Wlhen we have got it we shall be prepared to go on with the move- ment." (Lioud cheers.) A resolution was adopted approving of the action of the executive in ordering a ballot.

10,000 MEET AT SWANSEA. COMPANIES WARNED: "NO SUR- RENpER." The Swansea branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants held a big demonstration and meeting on Sunday after- noon, followed by another meeting in the evening. A large number of members, in- cluding tramwaymen and boilermakcre, formed in procession from the Town-hall and marched to the Victoria Park. At the Victoria Park there were present Mr. J. R. Bell, J.P. (president of the association), Mr. James Wignall, J.P., and Mr. J. H. Thomas (organising secretary), who delivered addresses from a wagonette to a crowd estimated to number 10,003 persons. Mr. J. R. Bell, J.P., said when the history of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants came to be written.they would look back upon every concession they had fought for ae valuable landmarks in their progress. They ought to feel thankful that they had nearly £ 40D,000 in funds, and they were pre- pared to spend it to the last penny in order to do justice to the toiling millions of this country. Mr. J. H. Thomas (district organising secre- tary) emphasised the seriousness of the posi- tion, expressing the hope that some solu- tion would be found which would prevent extreme action. It was ridlCulous for the railway companies to claim that they never allowed third parties to come between them. The "Western Mail" had stated that the Barry and other railway oompanies spent £250.000 in respect to the Sirhowy Railway Bill. That meant £250,000 of the shareholders' money in getting legal assistance to swear black was white—(laughter)—in support of their oases. A great mass meeting was held at the StaJr Theatre in the evening, the plaoe being crowded, and an overflow meeting was arranged at the Working Men's Club. The ahair was occupied by the president of the Swansea Trades and Labour Council.

ENGINEERS AT SWINDON. MR. FOX ENDORSED: THE A.S.R.S. CONDEMNED. Presiding over an open meeting of local members of the Associated Society of Loco- motive Engineers and Firemen at Swindon on Sunday night. Councillor John Brown referred to the differences existing be^ een the Amalgamated Society and the Associated Society, and said the men who s'poke on the question should speak with moderation and accuracy as to what the position would be if the worst came to the worst. Unless railway workers were absolutely certain of their posi- tion, it would be a grave mistake to enter into the fearful struggle that would be entailed by a strike. Mr. George Mabberley said that, while tile Associated Society members were prepared to give moral and financial s-u.pJ>Ort to the Amalgamated Society they claimed to 0011 duct their biismess as they thought fit. If there were not unity, and the railway ser- vants came out on strJke, it would be known as "The Phantom Strike of 1907." A resolution was unanimously carried that Whilst we deeply deplore the present regrettable position and strained relations between the two societies, brought about by the indiscriminate action of the officials of the Amalgamated Society, we entirely endorse the action of Mr. Fox, and oaJl upon our executive committee to I!nPlX"I"t him and maintain a neutral position unt.il the officials of the Amalgamated Society are pre- pared to work strictly to the federation scheme, which we consider they have grossly violated."

WAY OUT WILL BE FOUND. Telegraphing on Monday night, our Lon- don correspondent eent a moet hopeful m«sasre in rewpect of the railway crisis, which secme now to have passed thoftacute stage. He sets forth the situation thus:— "At a late hour this evening I heard that important developments are pending concern- ing the railway crisis. Mr. Bell's speech at Cardiff has, of course, monopolised discus- sion to-day, and it has certainly placed the position of the men in the most favourable light. So fax as the officials of the railway companies here are concerned, however, they do not admit that it has produced any fresh factor which will induce the directors to grant Mr. Bell the conference which he desires. On the contrary, they do not feci that this aspect of the case has been strengthened one bit. "It is likely, however, that, though a con- ference on the lines indicated by Mr. Bell will not be granted, a modus vivendi will be found which will satisfy both Mr. Bell and those associated with him. To-night, in fact, the position is far more hopeful than it has been for some days post, and though I am not in a position to make any definite state- ment, nor even to outline the manner in which a way out of the difficulty will be found, your readers may take it that the strike which threatened to paralyse the industry of the oountry is not so imminent as at one time was feared."

MR. COLLINGS ATTACKS MR. BALFOUR. Mr. Jesse Callings, M.P., speaking in Bordcsley on Monday night, said he thought it very likely tnere would be a general elec- tion next year. The Government would then come back with a less majority, which would be to their advantage. Since the retirement of Mr. Chamberlain things had not been going on well. Se hoped and believed, how- ever, that Mr. Chamberlain would come back again to give them the benefit of his counsel and advice, for they needed it. To his mind, the Unionist party wae like men going through a wilderness without a Meses. The young members were chafing under the inaction to which they were condemned. They had a leadership that created no enthu- siasm. but rather damped it. They had a leadership halting between two opinions, recognising in an academic and half-hearted way the great item in Mr. Chamberlain's platform of Tariff Reform, but the efforts tSey were putting forth to further that policy compared with what those efforts ought to be were poor and puny. The younger members were dissatisfied, and did not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction. What he felt was felt probably by the majority of the House of Commons.

STOP PRESS. t THE DISASTROUS FLOODS IN SPAIN. WIDESPREAD DEVASTATION. Almost every hour brings fresh news of the awful devastation occasioned by the floods in the Malaga region, and it is greatly feared that when the wrecked telegraph lines are restored news will be received of immense damage further up the River Guadalmina. The sufferings of the people living in the stricken area are terrible. Thousands of them have been driven from their homes, and have had to camp cut in the hills, the majority o.f tiitm lacking the barest necessaries o: life. —Central News. f.

WORLD S MINERS ON STRIKE! CONGRESS AND UNIVERSAL STOPPAGE. By MR. WILLIAM BRACE, M.P. [Vice-President of the South Wales Minora' Federation.] The resolution moved by France at tb41 Miners' International Congress at Salzburg, That the miners of the different countries endeavour va arrive at some common arrangement with a view to declaring an international strike—when necessary- was accepted by congress unanimously. It does not follow, of course, that a general strike of all the miners in the countries represented is at present on the tapis; what tne resolution does is to affirm the principle that in ease of dii»e need all nations should erwl&avour to ill3ke common cause. The obstacles in the way of a.n agreement to this end are herculean; still, I conceive it possible, given a particular set of circum- stances, to have the different nationalities acting through the medium of the Interna- tional Miners' Federation operating in co- operation. What influence the Unions have in Germany, France, Belgium, and Austria over the non-Union men one cannot say. In Britain the non-Union men have invariably followed the lead of the Union men in general stoppages. If this would be the experience of other countries, then one of the chief difficulties in the way of an interna- tional general strike would be surmounted. WOMEN LABOURERS. I do not think I have ever been impressed with the extremes of poverty and richea more than I have in Austria. The wives and daughters of the workers labour side by side with the men. They mow in the field, and do a.ll kinds of farm work, while it is not unusual to see women carry- ing bricks and mortar up ladders to the masons-in short, they do the work which masons' labourers do in our country. A BIG PROPOSAL. Upon, the resolution from Belgium, that the production of coal be regulated interna- tionally by the International Federation, there was substantial difference of opinion among the British section, although the other sections, with the exception of America, were in fa.vour. Northumberland spoke against it. Some years ago a distinguished Frenchman, M. Loewy, spent a good deal of time trying to convert me to the practicability of this pro- posal; but, personally, I have never been able to see my way clear to support it. I ha.ve always felt that until nations individually can operate some scheme to regulate the out- put in their own country it is useless to attempt to do it internationally, surrounded as the problem is with immense difficulties and complications. WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Very little new was said upon the employ- ment of children resolution moved in the name of Germany and Austria. When they ask that boys below the age of fourteen shall not be employed about mines at aH, and shall be prohibited by law from going into the mines to work until after sixteen years of age, tbey propose au áge limlt. much higher than the British miners have up to now seen their way clear to support. The division, therefore, found the British delegates neutral, while the American dele- gates supported the motion. I Happily, not only for Britain, but for most of the other countries, very few women are I now employed in the mines, although a very considerable number are employed about mines. In Belgium thore are no less than 7,522 employed a.t the mines above ground, and 31 are actually working in the mines to-day. The figures for women mi at workers in Germany, Austria, France, aye, and Great Britain, are equally as heavy or heavier than those quoted from Belgium. Out of the whole of the countries represented America stands alone u having no women employed either in or about the mines. Reflecting upon this question, one is forced to the conclusion that if America docs not think it dignified to allow her womenfolk to work in or about collieries, all other countries would consult their future welfare if they found employ- ment for their woonen more suitable for their eex than can be found in or about coal mines. NATIONALISATION OF MINES. The nationalisation of mines is a. very popular theme, particularly among the Con- tinental delegates. Although Britain ia pledged equally with them to the proposal, the question appears to me to be much more within the range of practical political ques- tions on the Continent than in the United Kingdom. It is a highly oomplex problem, and I think there is a good deal of sagacity in the opinion of the Austrian speaker, but the longer this question remains unsettled upon a national basis the less valuable L.1.e reform will be for the workers and the nations when it comes, as year by year the mines must decrease and not increase in value. It is, therefore, necessary to display some circumspection in this matter, as the individual capitalists, having got out of the mines all that is worth having, may not be indisposed to be a party to selling to the nations at fancy prioee properties not worth the having. The key-note for this question, then, should be immediate nationalisation of mines. OLD-AGE PENSIONS. Our Mr. Evan Thomas made one of the best speeches of congress in his introduction ,of tb-e old-age pension resolution. For many years this question has been talked about at these gatherings from the standpoint of theory, but this year Mr. Thomas was able to make it a real live subject by reason of the fact that the British Chancellor of the Exchequer had promised to introduce an old-age pension scheme in his next Budget. What form his scheme may take it is im. possible to say at present, but one thing is clear—it will have to be a scheme universal in its application and non-contributory in character to meet with the approval of the International Miners' Federation. WORKMEN INSPECTORS. Belgium, Germany, and Austria had reso- lutions upon the question of working men inspectors, and they gave rise to a.n impor- tant and valuable discussion. On the whole, there is no better system of mines inspection than there is in Great Britain, but Mr. Enoch Edwards, M.P.. touched the weak point of our- system when he declared that a system of inspection by samples, owing to the few- ness 01 inspectors, is much to be regretted and cannot be accepted as satisfactory by the workmen, lience the demand for the appointment of a substantial number of workmen inspectors. MINERS AND WAR. An animated debate wok place upon the resolution from France—" That congress decide upon the attitude to be adopted by the International Federation in case of a. war breaking out." I was put up to speak on behalf of Great Britain, and. remember- ing that we bad received no definite man- date, ventured the suggestion that it should be an instruction to the international execu- tive committee in case of a rumoured war to convene an international congress, so that the miners internationally might co-operate upon a common and agreed polio?. Germany and Austria dissented from this upon the ground that the making or declaring of war was a political question, and, therefore, outside the area of Trades Union business. Congress, however, did not accept the German and Austrian view, and decided to refer the matter to the international com- mittee. One welcomes the proposal from Germany and Austria to press for a minimum wage. But it is, I am afraid, outside the range of probability for any body of men to seoure a minimum wage apart from stro-ij organisation. The question of an international miners' holiday for the first Monday in ea.oh August was referred to the international committee.

CAR WRECKS CARRIAGE. AUSTRIAN NOBLEMEN ARRESTED ON CONEY ISLAND. Two Austrian noblemen, Count Felix Hoyos and Count Frank Hoyos, have been arrested as the result of a serious collision on Coney Island between the car in which they were driving and a carriage. It is declared the car was t: ^veiling at a very high speed. In any case it dashed into the carriage with great violence, and a gentle- ma.n and his wife, occupants of the latter vehicle, were seriously injured, while the con- veyance was totally wrecked. The counts were subsequently released, successfully pleading the affair was an tral News.

PLAYING WITH A SHELL. From Charters, France, c&mee the report of a belated catastrophe of the Franoo-Ger- man War. Two little children of the family Venard, living at a village near Yoves, were plaving in their courtyard with an old shell brought home from the battlefield of Loigny in 1870. One of them hammered on the shell with a stone, with the result that the charge ex- ploded. killing one child on the spot a.nd blowing off the legs cf the other, who is not expected to survive.

NUNS EMBARK FOR ENGLAND • 1 The nuns who have been expelled from the Convent of Quimperle embarked at Brest on Tuesday morning for Plymouth. They are going to Beaconsfield College, and are aocom- Mujjed hy a. large number of munils.—JRmatcr.

DIVORCED CROWN PRINCESS, h MARRIED IN REGISTRAR'S OFFICE. The Countess of Montignoso, Archduchess of Austria, and the divorced, wife of the Present King1 of Saxony when he was Crown Prince, was married en Wednesday to Sigiior Eurico Toselii, a music professor, at the Strand register Office, in Henrietta-street. Everything was done to avoid attracting attention, the proceedings at the register office being as quiet and speedy as possible. The ceremony was witnessed by three per- 60ns OTIly in addition, to the registrar. The Countess was wearing a simple costume of pale grey, a white blouse, a.nd a large purple hat with feathers. During the conversation that took place in the registrar's office, the Countess spoke excellent English, but her husband's know- ledge of the language is somewhat limited, and he conversed, in rather a faltering manner. On the marriage certificate the Countess is described as Marie Antoinette Louise, Countess of Montignoso, formerly Marie Antoinette Louise, Archduchess of Austria, spinster. Her age is entered as 37, and nor condition as "the divorced wife of Frederick Augustus, Crown Prince of Saxony, now King of Saxony." Her address is given as the Norfolk Hotel, Stra-nd. Signor Toselii is a.n Italian. On the cer- tificate of marriage he gives his age as 24 year?, a bachelor, and describes himself as a professor of music, living at the time of marriage at the Norfolk Hotel, Surrey-street, Strand. Hie father, Alberto Toselii, is des- cribed as a professor of languages. From the registrar's office the party drove to the Hotel Cecil, where the wedding break- fast was held. There they remained for the rest of the day until the time caroe for the departure of the bride and bridegroom for Italy, where the honeymoon is to be spent. On their way across Europe to Italy the Countess will be joined by her little daughter, Princess Monioa Pia., who is in hiding under the care of a faithful friend. Tho- Countess lives in fear of her child boing kidnapped by enemies from the Court of Saxony, and the greatest precautions are taken to keep the little prinoees well guarded. AN AMAZING CAREER. Had she wished. Countess Montignoso might now have been a European queen. How she lost a throne forma one of the most romantic stories in the annals of any royal family. She was a daughter of the exiled Grand Duke of Tuscany, and was born at Salzburg on September 2, 1870. Although subjected to a. very strict discipline, her childhood and schooldays were very happy. She left eahool soon after her sixteenth birthday, and even at that early age she was noted for her grea.t sense of humour and her love of literature, art, and music. She was also an accomplished linguist. Her favourite pursuit was acting, and it may be said that this was in a measure the cause of her final severance from the royal family. Four years after she left school Prince Friedrioh August, the Crown Prince of Saxony, and now King, fell in love with hex and proposed marriage. The girl's parents readily gave their con- sent, but the girl herself declared that she did not love the Crown Prince, and that she would never marry him. Eventually, how- j ever, she overoame her objection to the Prince, and they were marri-ed amid many manifestations of public joy at Vienna on November 21, 1891. The Princess wae then 21 years of age, and she was known as the Prinoees Louise Marie Antoinette of Austria. For some years the Prince and Prinoees lived happily together. They had seven children, two of whom died, and apparently the relations between the Royal pair continued to be of a most affectionate character until a few monttus before she fled from the Royal Court in 1902. The first cause of the Crown. Prince's dis- pleasure is said to have been the Prince's Passionate liking for amateur theatricals. She was of a very lively disposition, ,and the rigours of the Saxon Court, vhere even Cycling was regarded with disfavour, were Got at all to her liking. BLACKING BOOTS ON THE STAÜE. On one ocoasion, it le said, she appeared On the stage as a servant blacking boots, and the Crown Prince expressed the opinion that a part more suitable for a future Queen of Saxony should have been selected. Anotlwr fact which displeased the Grown Prince was that she aided and abetted in the elopamctit of her brother, the Arabdrofce Leo- in 1902, oame the sensational news that the Princess herself had run away from Court with a Belgian tutor, M. Andre Giron, who h id been engaged to teach her children. Of h'-T own accord she renounced, all Royal righto, and thus cast avy for war her '-siiance of becoming Queen o. Saxony. ",It transpires that the Countess ,"t1.d Signor first met a, bout a y-ea%r AGO at fl" 1 /v> The Count-eas heard of fizsnor 'iwilis quality a? a pianist, and asked him to ^>lay her vlIla" 11 w-as a ca6e i0ye at first sight, aid the marriage would have taken plaoe many months a.go but for the difficulties which the position of the Ooun- tecs piaoed in the way. Signor Toeeili is intensely fond of the young Princess, and as anxious as the Countess that she should not be taken from them. The Countess Montignoso has withdrawn all her mo-ey from the bank at Florence, says a Central News message from Rome, and has given up hea- house there. The Countess and Signor Toselii intend to settle in England. STORY OF THE CEREMONY. From tha Norfolk Hotel in. Surrey-street, Strand, yesterday morning, a very flurried, excited little party of five drove off hurriedly Westward (says the "Moriung Loader "). Of the party a closely-veiled lady of about 4Q was obviously nervous and frightened. With her was a young gentleman most sprucely dressed—plump and dark, with a gallant little black moustache flirting under his aquiline nose. But none out of the secret guessed that he was running away, with more than the speed of Gretna Green, with a real live, romantic—nltra-romantic—princess. Of the ether three people, one was Mr. William Le Quex, the popular novelist. 1fu Jvas cast for the role of best man because he is a close friend of the romantic countess, ^nd, perhaps, because also he knows bow to u draw a bead'' upon an advancing foe (vide Who's Who "—" Recreation, revolver, prac- tice "). The cavalcade drew up outside No. 15, where a braes plate bore the foreboding legend, TW—I. STRAND UNION. i>en-e<at.h this ereot, the PrinXv^t>en^ .walked, -with head country, but rich' k^° poor in her own avarice in that b^ £ ld the dreams of Entered also, beamingLove. Italy. e gentleman from Entered also the author of TT-M the Wicked," glaring „>nnd of patting bis pistol-poeKet a« much as to If anyone dares w 6ay> Well, they tapped a.t the little window labelled "Inquiries," just inside the passage, a.nd a youth showed theza into the hoard room, what time Mr. Goldspink, the registrar, was ready to polLsh them off. They hadn't long to wait; but it seemed ages and ages. Several times Mr. Le Queux looked to the priming of his pistol, several times the Princess, with her hand over her heart, essayed a jest, and the Italian pianist replied, con arnore, with the soft pedal down. SET EVERYBODY AT EASE. after the necessary time for a stage- quiet in ccume the registrar, a air, gentleman with a business-like in his fa'tw,' and :paper. and an assurance eaae in a twi^j^°11<s tJia-t set everybody at Pray be seated^ OO-J V at the clock aiid oaetimg his eyee Name, please bis long flat booi. The lady raised her veil shaky voice eaid: « ajld rather a "Marie Antoinette Louise tigncso Countees of Mon- There was not even a eHmmer ™ in his face as the registrar nibblL ♦ end of his pen and said, "Will TO» v> f enough to spell it?" Y U be The countess was good enough, She explained that she was formerly the Arch* duchess of Austria, a "spinster," and T(}. the divorced wife of Frederick Augustus Crow n Prince of Saxony—now King Saxony. To the "Morning Leader" representative the registrar—who is an observant man— made a few remarks as he carefully copied °ut the last little bit of the secret history of the Court of S-axony. "Pleasant, charming lady, the Princess ——, and wonderfully well-preserved for her age! "Her husband! Well, quite a typical Italian. You might take him for an opora- Pinger. Very nice, and apparently most devoted. Quite boyish to look at

ANGLO RUSSJAN TREATY- ——t—— OUR AFGHAN POSITION RECOGNISED. The Anglo-Russian Convention has been published in St.. Petersburg. It begins by expressing the sincere desire of the Emperor Nicholas and King Edward to settle by I mutual consent the various questions affect- ing the interests of their States on the Asiatic Coantinent, and declaring that their Majesties have, therefore, resolved to can-! elude agreements destined to prevent all: oa,uee for misunderstanding betwoon Russia and Great Britain on the said questions. The convention is comprised under three hoadsr-persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet. PERSIA: SPHERES OF INFLUENCE. With regard to Persia, it says:—The Kuissian and British Governments being mutually engaged to respect the integrity ajid in-depoiidecce of Persia, and considering, i furthermore, tha.t Russia and Great Britain, for geographical and economic reasons, have each, a. special interest in the main- tenance of poaco and order in certain provinces contiguous to or adjoining the Russian frontier, on the one part, and the Afghanistan and Baluchistan frontiers, on the other, and a dceire to avoid all cause for conflict betwooa. their respective interests in the above-mentioned provinces, the two Governimeittts have agreed to tha following terms:— A_rticle I. Great Britain undertakes not to seek or support for any third party any political or commercial concessions north- ward of a line connecting Kasri-Shirin, Ispahan, Yezd, a.nd KhaJdii, to the junction of the Persian, Russian, and Afghanistan frontiers, and not to oppose, directly or indirectly, requests for concessions in this region supported by the Russian Government. The localities specified are included in the regions in which Great Britain undertakes not W eÐek concessions. According to Article II. Russia gives a. cor- responding undertaking concerning the region to the south of a line extending from the Afghan froiKier to Gazik Birgand, Ker- man, and Bunder Abbas. In Article III. Russia and Great Britain agree not to oppose without previous agree- ment the granting of concessions to subjects of either country in the regions of Persia situated between the lines above-mentioned. Ail existing concessions in the regions desig- r,atad in Article I. and II. a.re maintained. Article IV. stipulates that the revenues of all Persian Customs, excepting those of Far- sistan and the Gulf of Persia, guaranteeing the redemption and interest of the loans con- cluded by the Shah's Government with the Persian Banque d'Escompte et de Prets prior to the signature of the convention, shall be utilised for the same object as in the past. It is also understood that the revenues of the Persian Customs of Farsistan and the Persian Gulf, and also those from the fisheries of the Persian shore of the Caspian Sea, and the revenues from posts and tele- graphs, shall be devoted as hitherto to the service of the loans concluded by the Shah's Government with, the Imperial Sank of Persia. prior to the date of the convention. Article V. provides that, in the event of irregularities in the redemption or payment ox interest on the Persian loans concluded v. lih the Banque d'Escompte ct de Prets and the Imperial Bank prior to the signature of the convention, and should the necessity arise, Russia shall institute a control ever the sources of revenue guaranteeing the regular services of tho loans concluded with the Bcunqae d'Bscampte eituu-t^yl in tho region apecifiod in Article II., or. should the necessity present itself, Greet Britain shall institute a control over the sources of revenue guaranteeing the regular service of the loans concluded with the Imperial Bank situated in the region specified in Article I. Russia and Great Britain undertake to enter upon a friendly exchange of ideas with a. view to determining by mutual agreement the measures of control in question, and to avoiding any intervention not in conformity with the principles forming the basis of the convention AFGHANISTAN OUTSIDE RUSSIAN SPHERE. There are five articles dealing with Af^aaaistaiu In Article I. the Britdsih Government do«Tia.TC6 bhtat it has no intention of chang- iwg the poiHaca.! position in Afghanistan. It further lli1},dmakœ to exercise influence in Afg-btaa-isfcasi anity in a. pacific eeTtsc, aand neither tó. tadœ moaetrrea iill Mg¡hct.zriBtn,n nor to etKxmraco Afg¡he.n1ÍBt8/n to take TJbeIaSU:I"13S titTeateniTUff Br.I53iUl. The Thussian Goverai.m'ent decfeuree tifoat it roccgnieen AJghjainaistan to be outside the Rmsoia/n ffphera of mfi-aeiies, and R,gre?s to act ion ail political retortions wtth Afghanistan through wtormcdi ary of tihe British Govennni'Siit. It :100 H2Kterta-kes not to send amy a-genta to Afgfetuis&aTi, In Article II. Great Britain adfaeres to tJbe psKTvietkme of tJ10a treaty edgmed at £ afowl 0fIl Mamb 21, 1905, aoul xuidecrtalkee not to aionex or 1;0 oouupy comrtiraa^y to the said treaty amy part Off Afghanistan or to mtervene in the internaJ admin.icti-ation off the country. TTbe reseimajtion is made thatt the Arndr ehali fulfil the ettgugwmecrits contracted by him in the a for omi'nt iozKxi treaty. III. providca that RusKiaa, and Afgthain ofilciaJs especially appointed for that purpose on the frontier or in the frontier provinces may enter into direct relations in "order to settle local questions of a non- political oaaractcr. In Article IV. Russia and Great Britain deolare, with reference to Afghanistan, that they recognise the principle of equality of treatment for comnnerce, and it is agreed that all facilities hitherto acquired or thrut may in future be acquired for British and AngSo-Indian commerce and merwhants-shaJl be equally ajpplicd to Russian oomimerceand merchanuts. S'hould the development of co-m- merce point to the necessity of the presence of commercial agents, the two Governments will come to an agreement regarding the measures to be taken, with due regard to the Sovereign rights of the Amir. Article V. stipulates t»ha<t the airrangemeait regarding Afghanistan eihiall not enter into force until Great Britain sihall bave notified Russia of the Amir's consent to its terms. TIBET STELL RATHER AN OPEN QUESTION. The preamble to the section regardi-mg Tibet runs as follows:—The Russian and British Governments, recognising the suzerain rights of China in Tibet, and considering that, owing to the geographical position of tha.t country, Great Britain has a special ( interest in seeing that the present regime and external relations of Tibet are main- tained in their integrity, have agreed to the following arrangement — Article 1. sets forth that the contracting parties shall respect the territorial integrity of Tibet and abstain from any intervention in the internal administration of the ( country. In Article II. Great Britain and Russia agree to treat with Tibet only through the Chinese Government. This agreement, how- ever, does not exclude direct relations between British commercial agients and the Tibetan authorities, as provided for in the t Anglo-Tibetan Convention of September 7, 1904. and confirmed by the Anglo-Chinese Oon- vention of April 17, 1906. Neither does it modify the terms of Article I. of the Anglo- Chinese Convention. The Buddhist subjects of Russia and Great Britain may enter into ?a sfcrlctly religious grounds tives rtf ama and other representa- in. Russia and Great ^in undertake, in far as depends on tnem not to allow these relations to impair A^ m0aS °f -t5ie axraneimST BrISn ^llPK^deS 'Lmt Ruseia Great BrtUwn shall not send re^en^tives to Article IV eays the contracting parties undertake not to seek or to obtain, eite their own account or on behalf of their Wl* je< ^raalway. road, telegraph, or mu^J concessions or other rights in Tibet T« Article V. and Groat Britain'agree that no part of Tibet, either in territory or in kind, can be engaged or assigned to Russia or Great Britain or to subjects of either porwer.

DISAPPEARED IN MID-OCEAN < FRUITLESS SEARCH FOR A LONDON BUILDER. I On the arrival of the steamship Minmea- j polis at New York on Tuesday it was stated that Mr. John R. Rogers, a. member of a j London firm of builders, disappeared over- j board in mid-Atlantic. His body was not recovered. » It is added that a boat was immediately lowered, and for two hOUTs the search was continued, but it proved fruitless. Mr. Rogers had told a fellow passenger a short time before the tragedy occurred that he believed some of the passengers were ] shadowing him under the belief that he was j A oand-shiaTpor. <

MR. J. H. THOMAS INTERVIEWED. Mr. J. H. Thomas, the organising secretary for South Wales and the West of England of tho Associated Society of Railway Servants, in an interview on Tuesday, said, "When the result of the ballot is known I have no hesi- tation in saying that it will not be a ques- tion as to a majority for the men will be practically unanimous in favour of extreme action." "You have seen the declaration of Mr. Fox that their members will not support you ?" Yes, I have, and his statement will not in any way alter the procedure of the Amal- .¡ gamated Society." He added that hundreds of the members of Mr. Fox's society repudiated Mr. Fox's suggestion. "Do you think that even with the opposi- tion of that society a strike would be suc- cessful?" "I do, but I am not prepared to say it will go so tar. Every effort will be made by the Amalgamated Society to avert what would be a national crisis." G.W.R. ATTITUDE. The Great Western Railway management, according to one of the best-informed officials of the Railway Servants' Society, is very sym- pathetic towards the Union's members. "In fact," he said. the managers very often allow the men to absent themselves from business to attend their society's meetings when they can ill be spared. They give us all but the one thing needful—official recogni- tion, which is the inevitable corollary of their friendly attitude towards our members. But, a.fter Sir Charles M'Laren's utterances on Saturday, I do not think we shall be left out in the cold much longer."

BEAR CHASES ARCHDUKE. The Archduke Joseph hod a narrow escape WhiLe bear shooting on his estate in Hun- gary. One bear charged at the Archduke, who put three bullets into it without stopping it. The rifle of the ajxshduke's gaaneireeper, who then came to his assistance, missed fire. The Archduke had just time to get behind a tree and dodge the bear until he was able to re-load hie gun, when he" killed it with a bullet in the head-

THETRADEANDTHE GOVERNMENT. A TOUGH FIGHT IN COMING SESSION. The autumnal meetings of the council of the licensed Victuallers' Defence League were opened on Wednesday at Carnarvon under the presidency of Alderman Morrall (Bridgnorth), president. In the course of his address the President said that it had long been the desire of the league to come into closer touch with the Principality. Pro- ceeding, he said that there was never a time when it had been more necessary than now when those engaged in the licensed trade should be one united body to meet t.he attack which would be made upon them in the coming e-ession of Parliament. The Premier, wnen representatives of the league inter- viewed him, said that they might rest assured that he had no desire to deal unduly harshly with the trade. They must, how- ever, remember that, whatever the Premier's views might be, the views of the various sactione of the teetotal party were totally at variance with them. iheir first and foremost idea was Sunday Closing. Next came Local. Option. But he did not think for one moment; that that was a suggestion which would bo favourably received in England or vvales. They all knew what the result was after 1895, when Sir Willia-m Harcourt introduced a Local Option Bill. And he did not think that public opinion had advanced one iota in favour of Local Option from tha.t day to this. BARMAIDS' ABOLITION. As to the suggested abolition of barmaids, the president characterised it as a reflection upon one of the most moral, intellectual, and well-conducted classes in the canunumty. (Hear, hear.) It was, no doubt, true that everyone who went to the bar did not go 1 straight, but even clergymen did not always go straight, it being, therefore, obviously unfair to judge of an institution by the character of an individual. What he regarded ae the most important suggestion of all by their opponents was that of time-limit. This meant the confiscation of licensed property at the end of a given time. Once it was conceded that the Government were entitled to confiscate property, then no property would be safe from spoliation. (Hear, hear.) The trade, it was asserted, might not be allowed to exist because aloohol was described as a poison by some leading lights of the teetotal party. A manifesto to that effect had been signed by medical men of considerable eminence some time ago, but as against this they had the opinion of etcher medical men, together with the friendly atti- tude adopted towards alcohol by medical men themselves when gathered around the liament the trade had a tough fight before festive board. In the coming session of Par- them, but if they remained united they need have no fear of the most drastic proposals of the Government. The financial statement for the half-year was presented by Mr. Bolloway. the treasurer, from which it appeared that the finances were in a healthy condition, there being a balance of L384 at the banker's. Oil the question of direct Parliamentary representation replies received from a number cf affiliated societies showed that there was a unanimous feeling in favour of the scheme agreed to at the annual con- ference by which ls. annually should be levied upon all the members. With regard to introducing a Bill to pro- vide for the sale by weight of beer and stout I on delivery in quantities of not loss than 4; gallons, the Board of Trade had stated that tney had no standard weight for beer or stout. I A suggestion was received from the Brewery society for a conference between their Par- liamentary committee anu that of the league touching tliis question, and it was decided to issue copit\<O of u'e Proposed Bill to all the affiliated associations after the suggested conference. Mr. Herbert Samuel, M.P., in the cwiree of correspondence with the Parliamentary agent of the league pointed out that the cost 111 time and money of preparing a. detailed financial statement of each of the compensation authorities would not be justified. ) The council expressed its opinion that the present system of billeting operated unfairly upon licence-holders, as they have to provide at a cost considerably in excess of what they are paid ac-commoda-tion which many of them do not possess on their licensed premises, and the council, therefore, appealed to the Government, and particularly to the Wa,r Department, "to alter the existing system, so as to lessen the burden so unfairly cast upon licensed victuallers, and remove an onero-us and oppressive distinction." A resolution was also passed protesting against the decision of his Majesty's Govern- ment to make permanent the tax of Is. per barrel on beer and M. per gallon on spirits temporarily imposed in 1900 for the purpose of the war in South Africa. A passing reference was made to the grow- ing practice of hawking, which the Secretary said had increased to an alarming extent.

UNIVERSITY OF HUMANITY HOW TO DEAL WITH BROKEN HEARTS AND MAIMED MINDS. Addressing a meeting of the Canadian Club at St. Johns. New Brunswick, on Tuesday, Gencra.l Booth said he had a scheme in his head for the establishment of what, for want of a better name, he would call a University of Humanity." It s/hould have two head institu- tions, one on each side of the Atlantic, with affiliated colleges in every la.nd, where students won Id be taught how to alleviate the miseries of the people. There were colleges of all kinds in existence for the higher classes, but he wanted a university for men and women to deal with broken hearts, and to teach people how to reclaim the criminal and the drunkard, and to rescue the children of the daughters of shame and all miserable creatures of the human race. The saheme would require a large'amount of money, but he trusted that millionaires would come and say, "General, you shall have it."

"CAPS" FOR THE. MOORS. SAILORS HEAVILY FINED FOR EXPORTING EXPLOSIVES. At Dartmouth on Tuesday Hermann Shanks, a German, and Michael Sancho, a Spaniard were each fined J321. or three months' impri- sonment, for having been jointly exporters of 30,000 percussion caps on Messrs. Forwood Brothers' steamer Morocco. The accused were members of the crew and their arrest was on the initiative cf Messrs. Forwood Brothers. Shanks said he did not know he was break ing the law. Sancho asserted he had intended the ammunition for private use when he went ashore at Morocco. Both. however, admitted the offence of having the caps.

BELFAST POLICE STRIKE SEQUEL. The result of the police inquiry into the charges against two constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary of insubordination and use of offensive expressions to other con- stables during the recent strike troubles at Belfast was notified on Friday. Both constables have been dismissed the J force. As the result of the general inquiry ?- sergeant has been reduced in rank, and anctlTer sergeant and the head-constable are i oalled upon to answer a charge of having j failed to take a list of the police attending ( the Musgrave-street revolt meeting. ■ '■1 i ■ '■1 u i