Rhyl Record and Advertiser

DIABOLICAL PLOT AGAINST LORD ROBERTS. <TEN FOREIGNERS ARRESTED, The following despatches have bow iaauad by the War Office :— From Lord Roberts to the Secretary of State tor War. Johannesburg, November 26th. As a report of a plot against my life will probably reach you, I think you should know the facts. The police have been aware for some time that a plot was in existence, and arrested five Italians, four Greeks, and one Frenchman on the 16th inst., who are now awaiting trial. Their intention was to explode a mine in St. Mary's Churoh at eleven o'clock service on the 18th November. SERIES OF BOER DEFEATS. Brom Lord Roberta to Secretary of State for War. Johannesburg, November 26tb. Bruce-Hamilton reports that Remington was ongaged with parties of Boers near Franfort. The Boers, who were under Steenkamp, cleared off to the south. Our casualties nil. Large numbers of stock and eight prisoners were taken. Douglas, from Klerksdorp, also reports a large Capture of stock, so also does Wynne from Hei. del berg. De Lisle, from Kroonstad, reports that Colonel Fanlhawe had a rear-guard aotiou with about 60 Boers near Dainsfontein. One man of the New South Wales Mounted Rifles was killed. Fan. shawe reports that Captain Watson performed a gallant act. Seeing Private Robinson, New South WalencMounted Rifles, fall, he turned back and carried him out on his own horse under a hot fire. Clements, moving towards Rietfontein, was opposed by Delarey with a total of 800 to 1,000 men. They had with them one Krupp, one 12- pounder, one pom-pom. He completely dispersed them. Three dead Boers were seen, and natives report that there were three more dead and several wounded. v Barton reports that the Brokpan was attacked at 3 a.m. on the 24th, and was defended against a fierce attack by seven men of the Railway Pioneer Regiment and 10 mounted infantry. Our men behaved splendidly, and drove off the enemy, who lost three dead. A Transvaal flag was captured. It was carried by a field cornet, who was shot at close quarters. The town guard took part in tho fight, and behaved very well. Randle reports that Boyes has returned to Harrismith, having had slight opposition. He brought with him a large amount of cattle and horses. Boyes's casualties since the 14th were jive killed and 16 wounded. W. G. Knox reports all the wounded from Bothaville are doing well. The Commandant at Rouxville telegraphs on 22nd that Lieutenant Neumeyer was found brutally murdered, shot in the back, and lying in a donga about three miles from Stitzkraal. He was in a Cape cart, and when he jumped out he left his riflle in it, and so was unarmed- He was en route to join the constabulary at Bloemfontein. Hart reports that on Friday and Saturday he marched along the Gatsrand, reaching Welver- diend, Loseberg Pass, by mid-day. The enemy re- tired before him, stopping to fire from well- chosen positions. He estimate8 their number at about four hundred. An English civilian released by them states that they have nothing but meat to eat, and only a few Cape carts for transport. Our casualties were: Killed, one man; wounded, Second Lieutenant Moffatt, South Wales Borderers (slightly), and four men. Hart attri- butes our alight losses to the expertness with which the Btrong positions were turned by the mounted troops under Wilson and Sprot, and to steady advance of the infantry under Roche and Hicks, whilst the guns were ably handed by Stokes and Fisher. Much forage and a large amount of cattle were brought in. L

ANGLO-FRENCH CONFLICT; SERIOUS AFFAIR AT SHANGHAI. A serious disturbance was caused at Shanghai > on November 26th by French soldiers in the English settlement. The police had several cas- ualties, one man being seriously wounded by a bayonet thrust in the stomach. The matter is under investigation. Meantime the French and English troops are restricted to their respeotive settlements pending the arrangement of a modus Tivendi. Strong pickets are patroling the town. The extension of the French settlement at Tientsin, it is announced, dates from June 17th, and includes all the properties between the British and Japanese settlements. It nullifies all con- tracts since June, and carries with it the control of all residents within the area. It is reported on good authority at Nankin that all the Viceroys and Governors have been ordered to prepare to defend the coasts and rivers, as the security of these places is now of great importance. It is presumed that the measure is merely defensive.

THE COURT AND THE CAPITAL | FRENCH SEIZURE AT TIENTSIN. An edict is published promoting Li Ping Hong's eldest son to be an independent magis- trate at Kiang-hau, and his eldest grandson to the position of graduate, with permission to compete for a post in the metropolitan grade. It was Li Ping Heng who prevailed upon the Imperial Court to behead five members of the Tsung-li- Yamen for their friendliness to foreigners. As the Chinese custom is that the disgrace of a father should include his son, the promotion of the latter is a clear mark of Imperial approval of the father. Mr. Conger states that the despatch declaring that he has been instructed to resist the proposed razing to the ground of the Chinese forts and the infliction of the death penalties is entirely un- true. Wang Wen Shiao issues a note giving the reply to the request that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor should return. They say they would like to, but that it is impossible for four reasons. Firstly, the foreign soldiers are still in Pekin; secondly, inasmuch as Pekin is destroyed, the Emperor, if he returned for the transaction of his ordinary duties, would be compelled to pass through the foreign suburbs daily, and such an indiguity would be impossible; thirdly, in return- ing he would probably encounter the foreign troops at Ching-ting-fu, and the Imperial Court not trust in their promises not to harm them; fourthly, they find no sign whatever of the com- i mencement of peace negotiations. The French have seized territory at Tientsin three times the size of their present concession, and posted a notice declaring their assumption of permanent jurisdiction. They declare that all the property transfers siuceJuue 17th are illegal. The seizure is similar to that recently executed by the [Russians, and is considered a great violation of the treaties. Some idea of the bill for the individual damages which China must pay may be gathered from the claims that are being filed at the various Lega- tions. The Americans' c!aims approximate 300,000 dollars, distributed over about I hirty claimants, nearly all missionaries. Prince Ching has sent a note to the United Stntes legation thanking the Americans for eatablishing soup kitchens in their district. A GERMAN PUNITIVE FORCE. Berlin, Tuesday. Count Von Walderaee reports that the column vander Colone Yorck reached Kalgan ou the 19th inst., and began its return luaroh on the 23rd inst. Lieutenant-Colonel Arnttodt with a small detachment has left Tientsin on a punitive expedition for Wuta'ngh^ien and NanUaithun, 55 and 40 kilom-treg respectively north-west of Tientsin. The 1st BaHalion of the 2nd German Infantry Regiment at Slianliaikwan, after being relieved by troops from intermediate posts, iI. marching direct to Pekin.

The -Channel Squadron, consisting of eight battleships and a cruiser, has arrived at Gibraltar fjfoin A P<"IA Hav At the Old Bailey William Guildford and William Capel have been sentenced respectively to 12 and three months' imprisonment for highway robbery with violenae iu Totteaha m Court Road. St. Mary's Church at Great Massingham is the first in the county ot Norfolk to be lighted with acetylene gas. The lights vary from 10 to 30 candle power, and the cost of the new light, after the initial outlay, is only from 8d. to 9d. per hour. In memory of Mr. T. H. Ismay, who died a year ago, Messrs. Ismay, Imrie, and Co., of the White Star Line, have sent £ 5,000 to the Mercan- tile Marine Association, Liverpool. The money is to be added to the fund for providing seamen's pensions. In connection with the naval works in progress at Portsmouth, it is reported that the Admiralty contemplate widening the famous Queen Street leading from the main entrance of the dockyard: It is estimated that the cost of acquiring the pro. perty will not be less than £ 1,000,000.

KRUGER IN PARIS. A BLUNDER AT THE STATION* The reception of Mr. Kruger in Paris was a success, in a French sense, so far as enthusiasm was conoerned, but it did not pass off quite so smoothly as the multitude had hoped. To begin with, the train shot past the reception saloon, and consequently there was a somewhat undigni- fied rush to the other end of the platform. The cheering was terrific. When Mr. Kruger and his friends had descended, M. Crozier, of the Protocol, bade him welcome. The ex-President having re- plied, was next button-holed by M. Grdbauval, Preaident of the Municipal Council, who de- livered a speech of welcome, in which he said that PARIS DETESTED OPPRESSION, and had herself combatted and overthrown it. Mr. Kruger's reply was very brief. Clearly he was tired, and his face gladdened when the procession headed for the carriage. He took his departure amid a scene of great disorder. Mr. Kruger was welcomed at the hotel by an address in Dutch, a bouquet, and the Dutch hymn. For several hours afterwards there was a continual stream of delega- tions, and late in the afternoon Mr. Kruger, ac- 3ompanied by Colonel Meaux Saint Marc, of Presi- dent Loubet's military household, left his hotel, and went to CALL ON THE PRESIDENT, the carriage proceeding by the way of the Champs i'Eljs^es in order to avoid passing the British Embassy. An hour later President Loubet re- turned the visit. This having practically ended the ex-President's day's work, he sought a little rest. But more delegations came, among them Mias Maud Gonne, who, however, was told by Dr. Leyds that Mr. Kruger was tired, and was not risible to anyone. This reply was also given to Prince Henry of Orleans. SUNDAY SPENT IN QUIET. It was impossible for Mr. Kruger to spend Sun- day in strict accordance with the Dopper faith, for the reason that there was no Dutcm church bandy. But he did the next best thing-he held a service in his drawing-room at the Hotel Scribe. He himself read a chapter from the Bible and one of the Boer delegates undertook to read a sermon. The ex-President, who years ago got over his dislike to musical instruments in church worship, expressed a wish that they might have a harmonium, but the desire could not be gratified, and so the singing was unaccompanied. After the service Mr. Kruger kept to his room, reading his Bible, and declining to see anyone. He snubbed several importunate photographers by sending word to them that he could not consent to be photographed on a Sunday of all days.

STRANGE ABDUCTION STORY. A curious story was told at Westminster Police Court on Saturday by Mr. Conway, who applied for a warrant for the arrest of two unknown men who he said had abducted a Cingalese girl, 18 years of age, from a private hotel, at 50, St. George's Road, Pimlico, kept by Mr. Ernest Funk, a Ger- man. According to Mr. Conway the men called at the hotel, and by representing that they were Scotland Yard detectives succeeded in getting from Mrs. Funk a bank book belonging to the girl. They next secured the girl's luggage, and finally took the girl away to a house at Higbbury, from which she escaped a couple of days later. The magistrate said he would consider the information when it was prepared. THE OTHER SIDE. Later in the day Mr. Wontner asked the magis- trate for advice as the representative of Dr. and Mrs. Spencer Meerwald, who brought the girl to this country from Ceylon, where in 1892 Dr. Meer- wald was a medical officer. In 1897 the girl was banded over to a friend of the Meerwalds,and later was placed in the care of a cousin. Subsequently, after making the most searching inquiries, the girl was permitted to enter the service of the Countess de Broska, who lived in Berlin. A few days ago Mr. Meerwald learned that the girl had been lodged with Mr. Funk, and took measures which resulted in the girl being placed with her (Mrs. Meerwald's) mother at Adelaide Road, St. John's Wood. Here the gitlstayed for one night, and then disappeared, returning to the Funks. Mr. Wontner added that the girl was 14 and a half years of age and not 18. Mr. Funk re- ceived £40 with her, and £38 of this he had banked. Mr. Horace Smith thought the Colonial Office might assist in the matter; and Mr. Wont- ner said he would make representation in that quarter, and would give notice to the Post Office not to part with the money.

CYCLIST'S TERRIBLE DEATH. Thomas Vedder, 21 years of age, captain of the Kingston Cycling Club, met with a shocking death in Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush, London, on Saturday. He was returning from a visit to his father in Oil Mill Lane, when he collided with a tramoar inspector, who suddenly left the pavement to board a tramcar. The inspector was knocked over, and Vedder was thrown under the car and instantly killed. The sad acoioent was witnessed by a large number of people.

THE QUEEN AND HOSPITAL, At a banquet on Saturday night, given by the College of Surgeons of Ireland to Sir W. Thomson and his colleagues in charge of the Irish hospital which has just returned from South Africa, the Lord-Lieutenant read the following telegram from the Queen :— At the banquet to-night please convey the Queen's welcome to Sir William Thomson and members of Lord Iveagh's hospital on return from their arduous and valued work in South Africa, and express to them her Majesty's grateful appre- ciation of the admirable services they have ren- dered to the sick and wounded."

WRECK OFF THE LIZARD. The Norwegian barque, Glimt, from Rosario for Falmouth, stranded on the Stag Rocks near the Lizard early on Saturday morning, and soon became a total wreck. Six of the crew, despite the captain's orders to stand by the ship, launched the ship's boat and put off, leaving the captain and four men on board. They held on to the wreck until the lifeboats from the Lizard and Cadgwith came to the rescue, and eventually landed in a very exhausted condition. The six men in the boat, after six hours' trying experi- ence, were discovered by fishermen and taken ashore.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S RETURN. The Colonial Secretary arrived at Victoria Station on Saturday evening by the Calais boat express. He was accompanied by Mrs. Chamber. lain and her mother and Mr. Austen Chamberlain, and all looked better for the trip. A slight oon- tretemps occured on board the Channel steamer. Five deck chairs which bad been previously re. served for the Chamberlain purty, were appropri- ated by other passengers, who refused to give them up. The intervention of an official, how. ever, saved the situation.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT STRANRAER. A sad and distressing shootiug tragedy 004, ourred at Stranraer on Saturday evening. A labourer named James Douglas, resi- dent in Glebe Street, accosted his father, an elderly man, in the public street, in front of his dwelling-house, and asked him if he was prepared to die. It is alleged that he thereupon raised a double-barrelled gun, which he was carrying, and fired at his father, i who received a severe wound in the abdomen. | The son afterwards turned the weapon on himself, and so inflicted a wound which caused instant death. The old man was removed to the Garrick Hospital, where he lies in a precarious condition, It is stated that the son had been drinking freely. and had had a quarrel with his father.

The Countess of Albemarle presented net? colours to the 4th Battalion of the Norfolk Regi. ment, of which Lord Albemarle is hon. colonel. The Asoot Ball will not take place this year. Four hundred Paris firms have applied for space at the Glasgow exhibition. A locomotive collided with a passenger train at the Gare au Midi, Brussels, several persons being injured. Queen Wilhelmina, it is now reported from the Hague, will be married in that city, probably on January 31st. Duke Hendrik is learning Dutch. Inflammation of the brain caused the death of Mrs. Paget, wife of the Dean of Christ Church, Oxford. Another death, making five in one district, from typhoid fever has been reported at Plymouth. This last fatal case is due to an infected milk supply. The statement that Anton Hanslian is walking 7,000 miles in order to win a wager is quite de- void of truth. The statement has been made simnlv for the ourooses of advertisement.

FEAST OF MUSIC. HEW COLSTON HALL OPENED IN BRISTOL. Bristol was in gala hum our on Tuesday for the opening of the new Colston Hall, which rises on the site of the Carmelite Friary, a noble hall of song. In every respect it is a finer building than the old hall, which was burned to the ground two years ago. It is 25 feet longer, holding 4,000 people against the 2,500 for whom accommodation could previously be provided, and far loftier. Both the ceiling and the front of the gallery are panelled with rich designs in dull gold, harmonis- ing with the splendour of the hall. The proceedings opened with a grand reception by the chairman and directors of the Colston Hall Company. Over 1,000 guests were invited, and none failed to appear. The mayors from outlying towns mingled with the burgesses, admiring the decorations, the band of the Scots Guards playing a selection of music meanwhile. Music, too, was the staple fare at the inaugural ceremony which followed. It was furnished in plenty by several looal choral societies, and, when these tired, the rich notealof the new organ swelled through the building, penetrating to the farthest corner and arousing the echoes. This magnificent instrument, the gift of Sir. W. H. Wills, formerly M.P. for East Bristol, was built at a cost of £ 5,000. It is 70ft. high, has a chamber 32ft. square, and is blown by three elec- tric motors. In the evening, a grand ball brought the festivities to a close. One note of sadness alone intruded on the gaiety of the proceedings. It was the knowledge that Sir Arthur Sullivan,who bad promised to conduct his Golden Legend at the opening concert, was being laid to his rest in St. Paul's.

THE COMMAND OF THE ARMY. SEMI-OFFICIAL STATEMENT. In reference to the reports which have been circulated to the effect that Lord Wolseley's retirement from the Commander-in-Chiefship is due to sudden and special causes, the Press Association Bays: We are in a position to state that at the request of the Government his lordship consented some time ago to remain in office till the end of November, and that he is simply adhering to the date originally fixed upon. Lord Roberts is expected to be back in London somewhere about the end of December. In the interval between Friday and the date at which Lord Roberts assumes active duties as Com- mander-in-Chief Sir Evelyn Wood will command. He will not change either his quarters or his title, but by virtue of an Order in Council he will possess all the powers of Commander-in-Chief. Sir Evelyn would similarly become Acting Com- mander-in-Chief in the event of any prolonged absence of the actual holder of the post from duty, and his assumption of the command will not, therefore, be the subject of any official announcement.

LICENSING CHANGES IN MANXLAND. The Manx House of Keys on Tuesday passed the Licensing Bill, which extends the limit for a bona- fide traveller from four to six miles, enacts the separation of liquor selling from all other trades from 1904, and extends the right of appeal against the granting of licences. The biU empowering the Governor in Council to make regulations for the muzzling of dogs was thrown out on the preamble. The bill to confer pensions on teachers according to the English scale was referred to Committee, The House adjourned for a fortnight.

THRILLING SCENES AT A FIRE. Alcock's tea warerooms and Lipton's provision stores at Cork were destroyed by fire on Tuesday morning. Some thrilling scenes of rescue were witnessed. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming jumped from the second floor to a balcony, thence to the police- man's overcoat held by four Constabulary men. Some servants and four children, occupying the third floor had to await the fire escape, whilst the flames played around them. The firemen rescued four amidst a scene of intense excitement, the hose being played on the rescuing party to save them from the flames. One boy was lost.

STABBING MANIA AT HULL. James Gray, scissors grinder, was charged at Hull Police Court on Tuesday with stabbing five women.—Deputy-Chief-Constable Jones explained that the women were stabbed by a man identified as the prisoner by Edith Hardy. The man ran violently against the women and stabbed them in the lower part of the body. Gray was remanded for eight days. About eleven months ago seven women were similarly stabbed at Doncaster, and similar outrages have occurred in different parts of the country in recent years, for which no motive has ever been found.

ESCAPE OF MILITARY PRISONERS. Four military prisoners, confined in a guard- room at Chatham Garrison, made a daring dash for liberty in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The guard-room bad lately been strengthened owing to prisoners having escaped through the flooring and weak spots, and a sentry was in con- sequence placed on guard armed with a loaded rifle. Nevertheless, the prisoners got through a window by tearing up their blankets aud lowering themselves down.

GOVERNMENT CUTTER LOST. Information to band states that the fisheiy protection duty cutter Hind, which went ashore on the Ship wash Sands in a thick haze on Tues- day morning, is expected to become a total wreck. The gunboat Onyx has visited the scene of the accident, and states that the Hind is totally sub- merged. She went ashore about a quarter of a mile south-east of the South Middle Shipwash buoy. The Hind's crew state it is impossible to say the cause of the grounding, but attribute it to the extreme darkness of the morning, combined with a heavy sea and the stiff gale which was blowing.

FUNERAL OF SIR A. SULLIVAN. The mortal remains of the late Sir Arthur Sullivan were laid to rest in the orypt of St. Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday. The first part of the service was conducted at the Chapel Royal, the proceedings here, as at the Cathedral, being of a most impressive character. Huge orowds assembled everywhere on the route travelled by the cortege and in the cathedral to pay a last tribute of re* epect of the great composer.

REVENUE COMMISSIONERS LOSE. The Queen's Benoh on Tuesday decided, on the appeal of the Right Hon. James Lowther, that a 10s. stamp was sufficient for an agreement where- by he let certain sporting rights in Westmore- land to the Earl of Lonsdale. The Inland Revenue Commissioners, who bad claimed that a E2 stamp was necessary, were ordered to pay costs.

DEATH DUTY APPEAL DISMISSED. Justices Kennedy and PhiHimore ton Tuesday heard a petition by Mr. B. W. Vernon as to suc- cession duty payable on the death of his father, Colonel Vernon. Tlie appellant had, before the Finance Act of 1894, changed his reversionary in. terest, which was worth E86,000, to the amount of 982,000, by means of annuities and mortgages. He claimed to be exempt from succession duty for that amount. The Court dismissed the petition with costs.

-n_- COAL MINE ON FIRE. Over 1,000 men have temporarily been thrown out of work by a fire at the Newland Collieries, Normauton. Owing to the fusing of one of the motors, a fire broke out in the Haigh Moor seam, and the flames spread so rapidly that soon the roadway for a distance of 150 yards was one mass of fire. Owing to the noxious fumes the men were compelled to abandon the pumps, and for a time all ventilation was cut off from that part of the workings.

A copyright convention for the protection of literary and artistic works has been signed be* tween Italy and Montenegro. Fifty colliers employed at the Linn) shaw col- liery, Walkden, Manchester have struck work under unusual circumstances. The usual jigger was absent, and no collier would take his place unless promised 6s. a day, or about Is. 4d. more than is paid the jigger. This was not promised, and the result was that 50 men struck work. Two men engaged in the demolition of an old house near Tnnbridge Wells found a tin of gold coins secreted under a floor. The men kept the find a secret, but lavishly treated their friends. At length one of the men confidentially explained to his mates how he got posseegion of so much money, and now the owner of the house threatens the finders with the law. They are silent as to the exact contents of that tin. A once notable figure in the London Police force has just died in the person of Sergeant Cole. It was he who discovered the bomb in the crypt of Westminster Hall, and by his promptitude in carrying it out to the Hall, where it exploded com. paratively harmlessly, saved the building from destruction. For this act he was presented with the Albert Medal,