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LONDON LETTER.i .
LONDON LETTER. i lra.It LONDON CORMSfONBMT.] [SMdALL? WIRED.] LONDON, Wednesday Night. ARMY GYMNASIA. I tetra that Colonel Fox ia to have his period of service as Inspector-General of Symnasia extended. Ho should retire in bhe beginning of April, but will be con- firmed in Ins post for another two years. The reason given by the War Omce, strictly anonicial, of course, is that there is no one of equal rank to take his place. It is hard to understand why this should beeo. I do not aay Colonel Fox is not a good man, but &U who know anything about our system of gymnastic training are agreed that a change is desirable. There must be many men who could nil the post satisfactorily if the headquarters would not hold hard and fast to the idea—for there is no rule in the matter—that the Inspector-General should be connected with the small clique which is just now running the Army gymnasia. For instance, there is Col. Montgomery, late of theScotsGuards.nowonhalfpay, whocould 6H the post in the most satisfactory way. I tpMk quite impartially, for I do not know Col. Montgomery except by reputation as one of the beet fencers and scientinc. as well as practical gymnasts the Army has Mown. MBERAUSM IN WALWORTH. is some mystery about the with- drawal of Major Isaacs—he is an architect by profession, and an omcer in the Volun- teers—from the position of Conservative candidate for the Walworth Division. 111. health and want of leisure are re- garded as conventional reasons. Owing to special circumstances Major Isaacs tost a little ground some time ago, but he is. nevertheless, very much cf a favourite !n portions of the constituency, and is generally regarded as a jolly good fellow." [f he is satistied that he has no chance of being returned, whoever is chr'sen to stand tn his place wHl find his task extremely dimcu!t. Liberalism ia a growing force tn dingy Walworth. MR GLADSTONE AND THE ARMENIANS. I observe now that Mr Gladstone has relieved his indignation at the Armenian atrocities that my journalistic colleagues are hurrying to the front with various bits of gossip about the ex-Premier's views. This ta not altogether unpleasing to one who had —as I had—the privilege of heralding Mr Gladstone's speech by saying that it seemed unlikely he could long continue to keep Silence on the Armenian question or abstain from uttering publicly the words that were hurtling about in the Hawarden library. E8pecilly is this the case, since my para. trapb, published before the ex-Premier's pronouncement, by no means anticipated .kht Mr Gladstone's indignation was of a Mnd to be aatisned with just the public expression. I see it is now said he may be heard again. That is just what I tried to !ndicate, and, indeed, Mr Gladstone's own words almost point to something of the kind, though he may repress himself until there has been opportunity to disprove or explain away the outrages. THE REPENTANT CONSERVATIVE PEER. It is dinicult to see why the Tories and Unionists should begrudge the Liberals the tare satisfaction of welcoming within their ranks the repentant Conservative peer. It may be safely claimed for the Liberals that !;hey have made no great fuss over the Earl of Buckinghamshire's declaration that ho has Mnorged from the gloom and negation of Conservatism into the blight hopefulness of the Liberal creed. Yet surely the event Ie rare enough to justify some tittle jubilation, and even Toryism, one woul think, may well spare one of !ta redundant peers for the sake of demonstrating to incredulous Liberalism that at least one good thing may come off the Conservative benches. But; there, it is not every peer that has the blood of John Hampden in his veins. His lordship's motto is significant, as indicative of the irreversible character of bis decision, "There is no going back." SNOW AND SUNSHINE. It would almost appear as if some amongst as heref looked with a aorb of envying jealousy on those Northern regions where, !*s we read, trains have been snowed up and all the inconveniences of winter experienced. I gather this from the fuss with which to- day there is heralded the flight sprinkling of 'snow—not iTT-.ra th.t.n enough thinly to cover the ground—wluch we had in London thia morning. What there was toon disappeared under the innuence of the 'sun and the warmer atmosphere, and left: us _bIe to contemplate tLe uuNioi't.unes of snow delayed iellow with philosophic But our turn wiUprob.tb!ycome. I.OHD MA.YOR AND HIS LOVE, The Lord Mayor, Sir Joseph Reuals, will not be tvithout honour in h!s own country. He is a native of Nottingham, and I leam that during the early part of the year he will be invited to visit, the town of his birth and receive the freedom of the city. He WtU do so in State, and in the company of the shen&. Sir Joseph hM been cele- brating his silver wedding, but in a purely private way. His, I may say, was, in a sense, a runaway n1!\tch. The father of Lady Ronalw had the impression that the engagement was premature, and wished the marriage to be delayed. The young couple solved the dtinculty by quietly getting married one morning and then returning to the parental ''oof with information of the fact. SUDDEN AND FIERCE ?IRK. The ere in Madame Martin's taundry in Edgware-road is one Of the most remarkable we have had in recent years in London. The suddenness of ,he outbreak seems to have prevented the escape of a single soul from the burning butldmg. All must have been suSbcated in heir beds and then burned to the irrecog- -aiaable fragments which I saw to-day at the acene of the catastrophe. The Bremen describe the building as blazing like a tumace, and they up at once all hopes of saving the lives of any within it. There Me some complaints of a scarcity of water, out the delay, if any, "as too slight to be of serious consequence. Still, there is urgent "eea a.u oyer London for a regulation compeihng the water companies to keep a '?d of water in the mains. The ??\?"? requires a turncock to be ?n <??? ? ?? ? ?<? ? be got in case of &re is obviously absurd. t.?;"?'?? CRICKET. Au?rahan cncket is nothing if not sensa. ?? ? to ? ? ?'? 1?? ? Turner ?k?p ? their wicket until they have ?"Pjhe hundred runs which depend on ??? ?r the surprise of the Sydney match to be exceeded. That, of course, involves a verY.la.rge U if," but I 6nd people ready to beheve anything pos- sible in these contests, the public declines to reckon on anyth?S ?" Po?tiveness until the very last ball has been bowled. The interest taken m the, fortune. of My Stoddart's team has from the 11r81; been p-eat, but it has enormously grown 8S the matches have proceeded, and now, if you watch newspaper riders !n railway trains or other h Public fMorts, you will observe tn&t the Smb thing they turn to is the cricket report. MMl that it aSbrds also the chIef topic of conversation. Nor is this due solely ?"? long-continued dearth of other news. ?"ere is an intense hope that the old country wiu hold her own against our cricketio? ? the sea. But tins leaves room for a certain paternal pride in the youngsters when they Play an uphill game as gallantly as Iredale and Turner. The generosity ot the cheers which greeted Mr Stoddart's epiendid display will not be outdone by louring praise for the Australian eleven whether they win or lose. PURCHASE OF COVENT GARDEN MARKET. It has been hinted that the Duke of Bed. fMd is not unwilling to sell Covent Garden M&rket to the London County Council. Nether was the last duke but one. The question is the price. Naturally, perhaps, the Duke of Bedford attaches an exaggerated value to his property. If. however, the county council consented to give mm a fancy ngure they would have all the "moderates" down "pon them. The cry would go found the constituencies that they had been t;QUty of gross extravagance. To do the present duke justice, he has the reputation ? being a reasonable man, but he has not cn?nged the agents of the estate, and if he ?"?? to act on their advice, there is MQu,-? chance of the county council ??"og and revolutionising M they wcaM --YAœV':r.
AN APPARITION OF THE VIRGIN…
AN APPARITION OF THE VIRGIN MARY. PEASANT PILGRIMS QUARREL. SHOT DOWN BY GENDARMES. VjftNNA. Wednesday Evening.—A peasant in the district of Brfnan, Bohemia, recently declared that when walking home through the Doerren- grund forest be witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary. The news soon spread, and the scene of the alleged blessed vision haa since been visited datly by large numbers of persons. To- day quite 6.000 peasants assembled at the spot, and as the demeanour of some of them was very irreverent quarrels arose, which soon assumed proportions of a formidable nature. The local pohce force being powerless to cope with the excited and desperate mob, gendarmes were sent from Brannan. The rioters resisted the dispersal, with the result that the gendarmes were com- pelled to nre, and several peasants were badly wounded. The people of the district have been greatly exasperated by the action of the gen- darme@, and further serious trouble is feared. Reinforcements of gendarmes and troops have been ordered to the scene by the Bohemian Government. -Central j!V<-w<.
GERMAN MINISTERIAL CHANGES.
GERMAN MINISTERIAL CHANGES. RESIGNATION OF THE IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR. BERLIN, Wednesday N)ght.—According to a provincial paper, Prince Hohenlohe, the Imperial Chancellor, will retire after this settlement on the fresh taxation question and the passing of the new Coercion Bills, and his successor is said to have been already selected. Another paper saya the new Chancellor will certainly be Count Philip von Eutenburg, the present German Ambassador at Vienna. In weU-mformed quarters, however, these statements are declared to be purely speculative aad imaginative. Centra I News.
CORRUPT OFFICIALISM OF NEW…
CORRUPT OFFICIALISM OF NEW YORK. LEGISLATIVE ACTION. NEW YORK, Wednesday.—The New York State Legislature assembled in speoal session to.,]AV, in the Senate. Mr Lexow, the chairman of thb Police Inquiry Comuussion. introduced a Biil empowering the Mayor of New York to remove all departmental heads within the City jurisdiction. Senator Lexow also introduced a Bill for the creation of what is known as "Greater New York," v/hioh iea!Iy involves the incorporation of Brooklyn and other p)aces con- tiguous to the city. In the Assembly, or Lower House, a resolution was submitted in favour of appointing a committee to tnvestigate the administration of every department, and the conduct of every official in New York and Brooklyn citios.-Central News.
THMFTS FROM THE VATICAN LIBRARY.
THMFTS FROM THE VATICAN LIBRARY. AN INSANE COLLECTOR. ROMS, Wednesday.—TheSioilianRapisardi, who was arrested for stealing miniature illuminated manuscripts from the Vatican Library, has been pronounced insane.-Central News.
ILLNESS OF EX-KHEDIVE ISMAJL.
ILLNESS OF EX-KHEDIVE ISMAJL. CAIRO, Wednesday Morning.—It is omoially notified thab the Knedive has this morning recetved a telegram from his grandfather, Ismait Pasha, ex-Khedive, stating that although he has been and still continues very HI. he was nob in such a dangerous condition as had been repre- sented in some quarter, -Central News.
LATE CANADIAN PREMIER.
LATE CANADIAN PREMIER. LYING IN STATE. Advices from Halifax state that throughout W-Anesday there has been an enormous crush at the Legislative Council Chamber, where the late Sir John Thompson is lying in state.
GENERAL FORECASTS.
GENERAL FORECASTS. The MIowmK toreca?werep?pa.,? ? ?? ? the Metaorolotfioat 0<Bce ? M?to'atock DISTRICTS-— ? North-westerly or norther!y C.Soot]Md,N. breezes; Mr ?ner? H:icot!Mtd,E.i but w<th snow showers m J ptaces. P ??.?? ? w ) Nortb-west?y winds. light; ?. hngl&nd,??. < chMK?bta some snow or ?. ?n?)tma. R.J g?? showers. 4. Mid. Counties. 1 Westerly winds, Mgbt or 5. Ene. 8. (Lon, }- modera.te ch9.net\bJe nd Channel.. Borne cold showers. 6. Scotla.nd, W. }. S&me as 0,1. tMMl. N.W.? &NorthWa.?. tNorth.wester!yw!nds, stroDt; Mre?ad.N.f'6qMUy; showery.. ???'?-4?.?..J?
LORD JUSTICE KAY'S ILLNESS
LORD JUSTICE KAY'S ILLNESS SUCCESSFUL OPERATION. The Press Association states that the following buUetin was issued on Wedneaday evening :— Lord Justice Kay submitted to-day to an operation for the removal of the stone by crush. ing, which wae 6ueoessful!y performed by Sir Henry ThompMn. The Lord Justice is doing welt, and his prospeota are RiOHAM) QcAiN, M.D., HBNBt.TNOKMoN, iIEB.CR'l' T. HZBMN6.
THE RACE FOR THE NILE VALLEY.
THE RACE FOR THE NILE VALLEY. ITALIAN AND RUSSIAN MOVEMENTS. MR RHODES, THE MAHDI, AND THE SULTAN. The Russian expedition to Abyssinia has left Odessa. Meanwhile the following Centra! News telegram comes from Rome :— "It is again persistently reported that the Government is contemplating further military operations in Africa upon a realty extensive aca!e. In omcial quarters, however, it is declared th&t these reports are based mereiy upon the despatch of necessary stores to Masaowah. Nevertheless, it is scarcely denied that the stock of warlike stores at Massowah is assuming vaat proportions, scarcely consistent with the prospect of eonttnued peace. This week thousands of riSes and millions of cartridges aro to be despatched, and other munitions of war àre to follow during the month. 'rbe latest omoial advices from Africa oonnrm the previous reports as to the strength of the dfrvishes, who certainly do not number tees than 15.000 men. But it is believed that the Mahdi doss not consider this force strong enough to justtfy him in advancing against the Italians at Kassala. Re is awaiting tho arrival of fresh levies, and in all probability General Baraton wiH attack him before these reinforoemente can join his standard. The Genera! estimates that he wi!t require for this work 9,000 men &nd 24 guns, exclusive of sma!t machme-guns, of which be baa a large number, and to the value of which he attaches the greatest importance. "Rumours are again cunent as to probaMe British co-operation against the Mbdi, but they cannot be traced to any authoritative source, and they are entirely discredited in well-informed quarters." The London correopondent of tha MaMC?K!<er Goorclian hears on excellent authority that the journey of Mr CectI Rhodes to Constantinople ia not merely for purposes of pleasure. Mr Rhodes's visit to the Sultan is the nrst step m that squaring of the Mahdi' which Mr Rhodes pro. mised the shareholders of the Chartered Company he would undertake in connection Wtth the trans- continental jine of telegtapb. It would certainty be a. stroke of genius tf Mr Rhodes were to reach the Mahdi by way of Constantinople—to square the Mahdi by Sret squaring the Sultan, whose nominal rights of suzerainty over the Egyptian Soudan are never likely to have any value for the Sublime Porte except as articles of barter, how- ever usefu! those rights may be to France when British claims to the Upper Nile vaUey ure under d'aens!)ton." The London correspondent of the Obl4rtJ£r understands that Mr OeoH Rhodes, m his communications with the Colonial Omcf. has strongly inaisted on the uaport<H)oe of DGlagoa Bay becoming a British possession. ?" ?'——
THE ARMENIAN OUTRAGES.
THE ARMENIAN OUTRAGES. ALLEGED MURDER OF A TURKISH GOVERNOR. VIENNA, Wednesday.—-According to Constan. tinople intelligence of yesterday, it M reported that Tahsin Pacha, Governor of Btt:is, who corn. manded the operations against the inhabitants of Sassun, has been aaaasatnated by &n Armenian, who immediately afterwards committed suicide. In connection with the above rumour, the latest mail advices received from Bitlis represent the Armenians in that district as exasperated by the conduct of the author: tiee and ready for any act of violence. With regard to the disturbances at Egin, !n the district of EfZ'nghian, it is ttated that thegovernor recently summoned Armenian notablez before him, and after informing them that the Kurds were planning an attack, advised them to take measures for their own defence, aa be had not manl5 to protect them. The Armenians consequentiy endeavoured to obtain a tuppty of arms. a matter of great dimcu!ry in the present state of the country. According to latest newo which reached Constantinopto by telegraph yesterday, the threatened Kurdish attack ha< already taken place, but with what result is unknown. No letters from Sivas, where dis- turbances have also been reported, have reached the Turkish capital for the past fortnight. It is almost impossible for ordinary letters to get through, and mail matter is be)ng continually conBscated by the authorities. It is, therefore, difficult! to ascertain what is happening, all despatches having to be sent by irouik>us route to ensure eventual d.1!li,tery at tbeir destination. The Ottoman autbor)t!ea coue to deny most positively the alleged atfooilli &0 Sassun, although the facto are now generally regarded M well established. The members of the commis- sion of inquiry were to leave Erzoroum on New Year's Day to commence their investigations.-— 2!eM<en ?_
ITALIAN MtNISTERtAL CRtStS.…
ITALIAN MtNISTERtAL CRtStS. RoMB, Wednesday.-—The !lini$Lerial position is becoming daily more iaettoure, and the Govern- ment organs are agreed as to the necessity for t Gonera.1 Election. They re-amrm tha* the King has promised to dissolve Parliament whenever Hignor Criepi may consider it necessary, but loaa authoritatively contradict this. A General Elec- tion is not likefy to take place until after Siguof Criepi and bis colleagues have resigned. It is certain the Crispi-ites WtII bo in a mtnonty. AH pohtical parties are showing remarkt.ble activity. The Opposition chiefs hold another conference on the 15th inst. to make nntti arrangements for a Cenerál Election.-C,"tral jy<<ps.
STRIKE AT THE CARNEGIE STEELWORKS.
STRIKE AT THE CARNEGIE STEELWORKS. Nzw YoM, Wednesday.—Six hundred ore and scrap handlers at the Carnegie Steel Works at Braddook, Pennsylvania, struck work yesterday evening agatnsb tha reduction in wages of which notice has been given. The police are guarding the works. It is feared that the strike wUl extend to the Carnegie employees at Homestead.-Beute,
ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE…
ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE BY AN ANARCHIST. BODA PjKtTH. Wednesday.'—An attempt tt murder, followed by suicide, took place here to- day, and is believed to be attributable to Anarchism. A compositor, named Kurz, pre- sented to Hefr Csety, manager of the Athenaeum Printing Establishment. & letter asking for work. Whilst Herr Csery was reading the documfBt Kurz Srod throe shota at the manager, who fell seriously wounded. With a fourth bullet Kurz ended bis own existence.
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EIGHT LIVES LOST.
EIGHT LIVES LOST. EXCITING SCENES. Eight persons were killed early oa Wednesday by ? Bra which broke out at & Madame Martial French Laundry in Edgware-road, London. Their names are Madame Martin, aged 55; Adele Lacroix, PoDy Lacroix, Alice Larionee. Silvia Gitron. Pierro Valentine, a boy named Suproine, and & girl called Marie (surname unknown). Police-constable TuMoch Srst sme!t Bra about one o'clock, and found thac the two ehops which constitute the front of the laundry were a mass of names. In a very short time the nre travelled with startling rapidity from Boor to door and through the whole three storeys of the building at the rear of the shops. passing thence through the roof. The unfortunate persons already named ivere sleeping in the dwelluag portion of the premises, .and although everything that could be done was done to reecue them, it was found impossible to reach them before they were past all human aid. A number of 6re brigades were soon on the epot, and tons of water were poured on the building, which, how. ever, was such a seething furnace that no one could enter it. The excitement of the crowd which had gathered was meanwhile intense, and it needed a large force of police to control the excited onlookers, who, as usual at connagrations in Lon- don. on!y add to the responsibilities of omcials. Failing to save Mdme. Martin's premieee attd the lives within thWl. the Bremen devoted their energies to saving, aa far as in their power !ay, a draper's and a taitor's shop which stand on either side of Mdme. Martin's, and from which excited persons living in the buildings hurriedly escaped, aud vere conducted to places of shelter. The volumes of water after a time began to take effect, and the tailor's and the draper's premises were saved. Of the eight inmates at Madame Martin's nothing but charred remains can be found the building being gutted, and there is nothing to indicate, even remotely, how the terrible Sre commenced. RECOVERY OF THE BODIES. During the forenoon three bodies were rs covered, but they are quite unrecognisable. They are burnt into shapeless masses, the limbs being burnt up into stumps and the stomachs and intes- tines are gone. The nremen continued searching among the ruins in face of great personal risks to themselves, for abov< was a frontage of damaged brickwork, sup. ported on!y by a charred beam stretching across what was the inner portion of the shop. Two of the bodies were found tying across the upper beams, and they came to pieces when touched and the third body was dtecovefed near a. charred mattress.
SEARCHING FOR OTHER BODIES.…
SEARCHING FOR OTHER BODIES. GHASTLY SCENES. From inquiries made this afternoon by a re. presentative of 2*Ae CMe, it is quite certain that the Bro was not discovered untii such a bo!d had been obtained of the premises that the brigade were unable to cope with the names. The two shopa and houses comprising the laundry are M built that the shop fronts project from the dwell. ings behind, and this circumstance ia ttated to account for the are not being discovered earlier la the outbreak. When a policeman passing on hix beat saw flames burst through th6 shop abuttefs the whole of the back portion of the premiaea waa "a roaring furnace." and at that time any hop* of escape for the inmates was impossible. When the nremen could get near the debris, a terrible sight was presented. Lying across some raftera two bodies were found, charred beyond recognition, and burned into shapeless masses. In MI view of the street (for the premises, al- though running far back, were so gutted that there was nothing to obstruct the gaze) the search proceeded, and twe more bodied were speedily found these almost crumbled to pieces as soon aa the Stamen touched them. Sym- pathetic neighbours brought towels and linen with which to cover the remains of the unhappy victims, and the bodies wero carried to an oat. bouse, there to await identification if possible. Search was next made in a heap of debris, made up of fatten rafters, furniture, and bedding, and when a part of the heap had been disturbed two more corpses, one of a ma!e and the other of afema!e, were seen to be buried beneath. Aotoea the body of the male lay a portion of an iron bedst,<M, which appeared to support the greater pae af the debris, and to extricate the remaitm at that time was an impossibility, as aay further disturbing of the heap would have meant that the whole of the charred timber and part of the wall would have Men upon the searchers. An that could be done was to place a sheet over a portion of the bodies, and then leave them until the waUs were made secure. After thi< discovery it was considered dangerous to carry on Operations any further, and the work of searching for the bodies bad to be abandoned for the day. An inspector of police informed the representative that from 15 to 20 persons must have been sleeping on the premises at the time of the outbreak, and the Bremen were of opinion that several other bodies lay under the debris. It is impossible at present to give any certain information as to the number of lives lowt, and the taak of identification wit! be a difBoalt ODe.
IFINANCIAL CRISIS IN NEW,FOUNDLAND.
FINANCIAL CRISIS IN NEW- FOUNDLAND. THE COLONY WITHOUT MONEY. A UNIQUE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS. Router's 6):. John's correspondent furnishes a striking and, perhaps, unique illustration of th< enacts of the recent nnanc'a! craeh in Newfound- land. That a large civilised community shoald, without any warning, suddenly hnd itaelf de. prived of its medium of exchange, so tha.tial business was brought to a standstil), and al! operations in buying and setting, except on a limited credit, were rendered impossible, u a condition of things unknown before," he aaye. The currency in circulation oonaisttd of tbw note* of the only two banks ia tba island, th< Union and Commercial. Gold was rarely aeen, and silver only used where a 2dol. note had to tx changed. Both banks closed their doors on the same morning. Their notes at once became ase. less—no one would take them. Few ha<d in their pockets or their houses more that) a few dollars in coin. It woold be impossible to describe the awkwardness of tba situation. People who had piles of banknote were brought down to a level with the poMMe, and could purchase nothing. The shops were open as usual, but no transactions except on t metallic basis were possible, and soon customers became few and far between. The managers of factories and workshops had to discharge tbeit bands—they had no circulating medium in which to pay their wages, aud there was no demand fef the products of their labour. Most ot the day labourers were also discharged, hundrede with bat a slender amount of provMMna in theit homes."
CONTEST IN EVESHAM.
CONTEST IN EVESHAM. QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES. The Liberal forces are to be augmented by a body of Irish Nationatists from Ulster, including a number of ladies. The Conservative strength has been reinforced by a deputation from the Rural Labourers' League. The candidates have received communications from licensed via. tuaHers, temperance bodies, and the Agricultural Union asktng for their views on various topics. Colonel Long's replies included an expression of opinion adverse to local or direct veto. and favour- able to compensation where licences are abolished on public grounds. Both ho aad Mr Itnpey spoke :\t meetings in rural pat;:s ot thO con- stituency oa Wednesday night.
PERILS OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBING.
PERILS OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBING. THREE TOURISTS MISSING. ? BsuNE, Wednesday.—Thrfe tourists, who let!) Glarus on Saturday taking with them pro- visions apparently with tba intention of making an ascent in the Tjdi group, have not yet returned, and as there haa been a heavy faU of enow, fears are entertained as to thcit eafety. A f-ewoh party wM! be organised immediately the weather permits of its setting <Htt M look fc!1r n11..¡.1JY"OII>1ùv4_.
WINTRY WEATHER..
WINTRY WEATHER.. ¡ WIND, ICE, AND SNOW. FURTHER DISASTERS AT SEA. FEARED LOSS OF A CLYDE STEAMER. The weather ia sttil Btornjy along the nofth- enet coast of Ireland. A steamer tjelonging to the Irish Lights Commissioners has been sent along the coast in March of wreckage. The Irish schooner Victory is supposed to have foundered with a crew of four. She left Larne Lcugh lime- .1 laden for Glaegow on De<}ember 21st, and has not sinse been heard of.. The Clyde Shipping Company's eteamer Inish. trahul), bound from Glasgow, with & cargo of co&ls, is nve days ovwdua at Limerick. She mailed from Glasgow for Hmerick on Thursday morning, carrying no pasaengMt, but in charge of Captain Whip and a crew of 25 hands. In tha ordinary course the ateamer ahouH have reached Limerick by Friday night, but the worst feara are now entertained that the vesac!, which was of 450 tons register, foundered with all hands in the storm which raged over the wettt coast of Ireland I&st Friday. LOSS OF LIFE REPORTED AT GRIMSBY. The <mack Uca! has reached Grimsby, &nd porta that an apprentice named Tom Banyard, from the West London Industrial School has been washed overboard and drowned. The trawl smack Irex has arrived with the toss of the third hand. It is feared that the steam trawler Ahce Isabel has gone down with all her crew, and anxiety is fe!t respecting the ice barque Oryx, which has not been heard of since she left Brevig for Grimsby. The Gnmsby smacks Rainbow, Amy. Hydrology, and Volunteer have all gone ashore at Cleetbcrpps. RESCUE BY DEAL BOATMEN. On Wednesday afternoon a R.uasgate tug and the iifeboa.t went to sea in answer to signals from a vessel which had gone ashore on North Sand. head during a snow cqua!). On arriving at the sands they found Deal lifeboatmen had been engaged to assist the vesse!, which turned out to be a Norwegian schooner laden with timber. The D<*al men succeeded !n getting the schooner oS and brought her, with her crew of four hands, safely Into Rtunsgate Harbour. DAMAGED STEAMER AT CARDIFF. The <tte&mer Ona, of London, which has arrived at CardiS With a cargo of gram, reports serious damage to No. 2 hold on starboard side through having been in collision oS Constanti- nople with the Greek steamer Scaramanga. After discharge of cargo the steamer has orders to proceed to the Bute Dry Dock for survey. AGROUND ON DOOMBAR. A Padstow telegram states that the barque Antoinette, from Newport for Santos, in enter. ing the harbour, in tow, struck on Doombar, and reauune. Crew landed by the lifeboat. SEASON'S FIRST SNOW IN LONDON. The nrst snow of the season fell in London on Wednesday morning. It began a little after eevon o'clock, and lasted about an hour. The Bakes were large, and apeedi)y enveloped the Metropolis in A white covering. Some dimoulty was experienced by ear!y oars and 'busies in keeping time on aocoaat of tht heavy roads. The reports from various parts of the country show the anowstorm of the past two days to have been o! exceptional severity. FATAL ICE ACCIDENTS. Some boys were eliding on a thin coating of ice covering a pond atLeigh, Lancashire, on Tuesday, when one of them, named Richard Rigby, aged 10, fell through and was drowned. At Boston, a young man named Walsh lost b!s life through the breaking of some ice. A thaw has set in in South Lincolnshire, and skating in the Fens was impracticable. Two boya were drowned at Wigan wMe skating.
MR GLADSTONE AND THE ARMENIANS.
MR GLADSTONE AND THE ARMENIANS. AN UNAUTHORISED STATEMENT. Mr Gladstone's attention was directed on Wednesday to the following important statement made on the authority of the London correspon. dent of the Bif"mingM,tn. Dœilll .Post:—" I understand that Mr Gfadstone'e active inter. ventioa on behalt of the Armenians is not likety to be limited to his n<acb-diecnssed birthday speech. He is !n receipt, by bis own request, of a!l the information that comes to London from sympathises with Armenia as woU as many unsolociied communioa.tions from that portion of the Ottoman Empire, and if he feels;it to be nooessary, the late Premier wHI make a second effort, which wiU take the form of aa appeal, to wh<t ha hae described as the collective voice of outraged humMUty, and he has pnvatety In- dicated the opinion that a formal written appea! is like!y to have more eSest in Turkey than any speech. Mr Gtadatoae's sympathies in the matter Me, indeé1, <o keenly aroaaad that ho ba« asked to be kept in communication with the Armenian sympathisers here, while he ie paying his projected early visit to the Con- tinent." Mr Gladstone'* rep!y to our oorrta* pendent wM There i< no authority wbateTBr for the atatement."
THE CHARGES AGAINST MR MR…
THE CHARGES AGAINST MR MR J. H. WILSON. AN OFFER FROM THE FREE LABOUR ASSOCIATION. The Free JDo&ow <?<MeMe, in it* .TaBoary issue, makes the foHowing otfer to Mr J. H. WHsou, M.P., with reference to the charges brought against him iu relation to the Seamen's and Firemen's Union :— Joat before going to preM we have seen <t statement in the Sta.fM'nt, OkroniÛc (current issue) that Mr J. H. Wi)son is unable to ptoceed to c!ear his character in the law courts on account of hut not being in the possession of samctect funda. We hereby give public notice that if Mr Wilson can prove the statements in the pamphlet to be false by means of an action for criminal libel, w* will pay tha who!< of his la.w coets, taxed, and otherwise. Signed, by order !of the Executive Coancil, National Free Labour Astociation. W. CoHJSO! General Secretary."
CLEMENCY OF THE CZAR.
CLEMENCY OF THE CZAR. LIBERATION OF PRISONERS. The tota! number of prisoners of variou)! classes whose sentences have been lightened or commuted by the Imperial manifesto of Novem- ber 26th baa bean ascertained to exceed 20,000. The work of the prison official. in inquiring into the cases of all aSected by bis Majesty's clemency has not yet been com- pleted owing to the immense maaa of document which b<m to be examined. It M stated that a good many of the prisoners who were liberated have already found their way back to their ceHs in consequence of having committed fresh breaches of the law. This i< explained by the fact that many of them were unable to obtain employment —a diSScutty which is oece<sari)y accentuated at tbia time of the year.
THE CHELFORD RAILWAY DISASTER.
THE CHELFORD RAILWAY DISASTER. A PATHETIC INCIDENT. At Crewe, on Tuesday night, it was ascertained that the injured persons both at the Royal Hote! and the hospital showed tteady improvement. though one 0' two of the casee are <.tiH somewhat oritioai. A pathe&b incident connected with the disaster wM made known on Tuesday. Mr Hotton, one of the pMsangera who was fata.ly injured. WNN traveling from Rochdale home to Wrenbury, and when paasing through Man- chester he purchased a bicycle for one of hia iitHe children for a Christmae preset. The bicycle was delivered on Monday nt the home of the deoe<ts<.d, and awakened saddest memories.
FUNERAL OF CHRISTINE ROS8ETTI.…
FUNERAL OF CHRISTINE ROS8ETTI. MiM RoBMMt'a fnoeral'took place on Wednesday at Higbgate, the nrat p&rt of the service being at Cbriat Church. Wcbum-square, where she had worshipped 20 years. The incumbent of&omtej. The mtwrneM Were Mr G. Bossetti and hM four oh<!dfen, Counte_s Hugo, Misa Wi!son, Mrs Read, and Mr Theodore Watte. T'vo of the deceased'" favourite were sung. Mr Swinburne, Mr Forbes Robertson, Mr Wyndham, Mr Madox Brown, Mr W. Sharp, Mr V. Shields, and Mrs HueSfr were present.
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LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL.
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL. TEMPORARY RALLY. The following buHetio w&s issued by Drs. Roose and Kf!th at 9.45 a,.m. on Wednesday :— Lord Ba.nd"Iph ChurchtH hM had a. t!0od niRht &nd taken n. fair amount of nwthahment. His lordship's condition otherwise rema,ms uncha-nged. Dr. Keith ag&in remained wtth Lord Randolpb mlj night, and on the arrival of Dr. Rooae the &bovs buUetin WM prepared M the resuit of a joint consultation. Dr. Keith on Wednesday evening informed a Press Aasocia.tioc representative that the time at wbic!! :t further bu!!et)n would be issued in respect to Lord E.Mdo!ph ChurchiH's condition was uncertain, but thstt it was considered unneceMAry to iMuo one th-tt night. At four o'clock tns lordship was considered much bettor, but th&t improvement must be regarded at the most as a temporary rally. Late &t night it was st&ted th&t, subject to a re!?.pse, no further buHehn would be iMued until Saturday morntng. Dr. Kettb coc- 6rmed the earlier report that Lord Randolph WM somewhat batter. It was noticed four ye&rs ago th.<.t the perfervid or&tor, whose splendid and forceful delivery r<mg through the Hcuo of ComaMas and compelled LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL. < ntbenttoa, WM no locker the man be bad been. Thai vibrato of the Toice was dolled or absent in those passag-es where re- sonance was neces- sary to produce the desired effect, -ind this was later on ff,ilowed by a diSicuIty in Mticu- htHng.nveryeert-! ons syniptoni, a's sbowiag that cer- t&in nerve centre clusters were no longer under brain :ontro!. Then came the long rest, and next bis lordship was ordered abroad, compete quiet being enforced. It was, however, found impossible to carry this order into eSect, for Lord Randolph, not being a spirit who could be ruled, became his own physician, with the meet melancholy results. What shocks the nation is the knowledge that his lordship could have probably lived to a good old age had be been more consistent in his habits. A reck!es& smoker, a careless drinker, with, of late years, a very nnnikin appetite, his constitution was so undermined that when he started on his Quixotic African enterprise for the Daily Graphic, and upset the company by whose line he travelled with his severe strictures on their culinary arrangements, he ought then to have been husbanding his strength in lieu of trekking through half-civilised regions, and following the spoor of lions and other large game. Lord Randolph Churchill inherited, in no small degree, the wild courage and daring of Ins illustrious anc?stor, John, the nrst Duke of Marlborough, whose pluck and dash, when a mere ensign, marked him out as a leader of men. He was educated at ChrMt Church and Merton College, Oxford, and graduated B.A. in 1870. He did not enter Parliament untti 187t, having in the meantime married Miss Jennie Jerome, the daughter of a well-known New York banker.
? FROM LIVERPOOL ACROSS THE…
FROM LIVERPOOL ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. IMPROVED PASSENGER SERVICE. New arrangements tending to the comfort and economy of Transatlartic passengers from London took effect on Wednesday at Liverpool. Pending the extension of the railway system to the pierhead, the North Western Railway conveyed a!t passengers and baggage ia well-appointed ommbussea and lorries from Lime-street terminus, free of charge, to tne pierhead. where special porters, bearing armlets of the White Star Company, handed, also free of charge, to the passengem, all the luggage for the Teutonic lying ic mid.stream ready for sailing to New York. Thus passengers who left Euston at 8.50, and arrived at Liverpool at LOp.m., were at the laudtna'stage about 20 minctes pact one, and all the luggage at 1.45, the tender sailmg at two o'clock prompt, amid the cheers of spectators, five hours after leaving Euston. Among the pl!Ieners on board the Teutonic were Mr W. R. Astor, the New Yorkmi))ionaire whose wife's body had preceded huh; Mr Bart, Mr H. White (secre(;ø.ry American Legation, London), Mr G. W. Smalley (Netv York yrt&MtM) etc. ?_
CUTLASS ASSAULT CASE.
CUTLASS ASSAULT CASE. REPORTED ARREST AT THE CAPE. It ts stated that the American, Frank Taylor, otherwi-te Tarbeaux, who Sguredintheoutlase ctse at Marylebone, and one of the prisoners whose bait was estreated for failing to appear at the 0!'l Bailey, has been arrested at the Cap?. The prisoner is also charged on a warrant, signed by Mr de Rutzen. from the Westminster Polios- court, with conspiring to cheat and defraud, tn conjunctton with a man pacing Ihmeelf off as a rich American Senator. The pair lived in great style at a mansion in Stanhope-gardens, South Kensington, and It is expected that the alleged remarkable frauds perpetrated there will be gone into befote the Westminster magistrate when Tarbeaux is brought to England. He ie detained at the Cape pending the sending oat of the necessary papers for extradttion.
THE WAZIRI EXPEDITION.
THE WAZIRI EXPEDITION. FURTHER DESPATCH OF BRITISH TROOPS. MAEIN, Wednesday.—Two la: go columns are being aent out under the command of General Turner and Colonel Eg<nton respectively against the Wazirie. Str W. Lockhart went to Kani- guram on Monday, and returned here yesterday. Eighteen rines were recently stolen from the camp, but have since been returned. The weather continues very aevere, and another fall of snow is expected, There are 16 oases of pneumonia under treatment in the boepttal here, and on Saturday a death occurred from the same diseaf!e,-&ttcr.
! FREEDOM IN RUSSIA.
FREEDOM IN RUSSIA. AN INSTALMENT PROMISED. ST. FsTjEBaBCRe. Wednesday.—It is fully connrmed that the appointment of Count SchouvaloBf to the Governorship of Warsaw will be followed by oilier important and far-reaching changes in the administration of the Empire.— Ont(f<t! News.
CHOLERA AT ROSARIO AND SANTA…
CHOLERA AT ROSARIO AND SANTA FE. NEW YoBK. Wednesday.—The Herald to-da5 publishes a despatch from Buenot Ayrea stating the decree has been withdrawn which declared that an epidemic of cholera prevailed at Rosario, Santa Fe, and Cola,-tine.-Ce?ztrel News.
NEW YEAR'S HONOUR.
NEW YEAR'S HONOUR. The Centr&l News is omciaDy informed that the Quaen has been pleased to signify her inten- tton of conferrius; the honour of kn'ghthood on Mr Wm. Henry Rattigan, barrister-at-law aud advocate of the Punjab Chief Court, and vjce- chanoellor of the Punjab University.
CATHOLICISM AND THE SLAVS.
CATHOLICISM AND THE SLAVS. CBTTINJK, Tuesday.—To-day, for the first time ofter many centuries, mass was aelfbratcd in the Slavonian language in the Catholic Cathedral here.-Beukr.
APPOINTMENT TO A JUDGE-SHIP.
APPOINTMENT TO A JUDGE- SHIP. Tho LrJl'ù Ch&nceHor has f.ppomteJ Mr W. C. Smyly, Q.C., to be judge of oounty.oourt. Circuit No. 19 (Derbyshire).
A YEAR'S BUILDING IN CARDIFF.
A YEAR'S BUILDING IN CARDIFF. A return just made by the borough engineer (Mr W. Harpnr) for inclusion in the Carditf Corporation Year-book shows that during the past 12 months plans of 1,206 shops and dwetling- houses w6re approved by the public works corn mittee for erection within the borough. mittee for erection within the borough.
Advertising
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THE NATIONAL LIBERAL FEDERATION.
THE NATIONAL LIBERAL FEDERATION. ANNUAL MEETING IN CARDIFF. MAYORAL BANQUET TOTHECOUNCIL PROPOSED Ci VIC RECEPTION OF LORD ROSEBERY. The arrangMnent-s for t)ie fortihcomir.g annoT meeting'! of the National Llberal which are to be held in CaruiS on the l6th. 17th, and 18th instant, are proceeding most satisfac- tori!y, Mr Frank H:irter. irom tttB centra! uSeM of the organisation in London, having thed:rec- tion of tS.urs loeAUy, and being aseiated therein by Mr R. N. Hall. The tickets for th< great demonstration to be heM ia the tempoMry pavilion now in course of erection in the Canton C<ttt!e Market are being disposed of very r&ptd!yt and there is not the slightest doubt that tb< moaeter meeting whtch the Prime Mini.t« is to address on the mght of Friday, the 18th, wiU be the btggeet and most imposing ever seen withta the hnuts of the borough o: Cardiff. In oonaection with the visit of the Federatios to this town, the mayor (Alderman P. W. O&reyl has resolved to invite the members oi the conao! of tt!at organisation to dine wtth him in th< aMtembIy-room of the town.hn on the eventMg, Thts gathering tv.n be esseatiaUy of < noa-politteal character, being simply 't mterests of civic hospitahty; fot bts worship is at the same time inv¡tillf to meet the Liberal Federation Counci! th< whole of the members of the corporation and th< beads of the Mveral mnnieipai departments, whtte he iz wendiog to Mr R. N. Ha! th< Liberal registration agent, and to Mr E!' Waddington, the Conservative registration agent, ten invitations each for distribution on hit beha!. among a corresponding number of the most prominent local men in the two parties. Thu: the dinner wiU be essentially an act of we!co!M on behalf of the governing body of the town. Colonel Goldsmid, commanding the 41st Regi tnenta! District, win be invtted as the represents tive of the Army. It is also in contemplation to extend a civi< welcome to the Prime Minister on tus arrival ic CardiS for the great meeting on the Friday evening. We understand that it !s the intenttoa of the mayor to invite the members of th< corporation to accompany him to the Gf<a< Western Station, thfre to receive th< Eari of Rosebery, K.G., not as tb< bead of the Liberal party, but the first Premier who has ever come to O&rdtB white actually the head ot her Majesty's Govern. ment. The reception wi!! also be a mark oi respect on beha!f of the inhabitants of t!n borough to a distingutshed visitor, and it is M< th&t such a procedure on tha part of his wonbil would meet with the entire approval of tbejOoMff vative members on the town council. No politica signiScanee would be intended or would in an1 way attach to this welcome by the chief trate of the town.
FRANCE AND MADAGASCAR.
FRANCE AND MADAGASCAR. A GERMAN EXPLORER'S OPINION. PABis, Wednesday.—The Madagascar letters from the German journalist and explorer, Eugene Wo:&, published by a Berlin paper, have not attracted here the public interest which they deserve, but they have been carefully noted by the ofSoers of the War, Marine, and Colonial departments, and it is believed some of Wolff's suggestions will be utilised in connection with the coming campaign. The explorer thinks the French ought to engage Tonkiaese coolies for transport purposes. He doea not believe there will be any serious dimeulty in capturing Antananarivo, and is confident that 7.000 men will be quite sufficient for the purpose. Central News. AN EXODUS OF FRENCHMEN. MoYAKGA, MADAGASCAR, Dec. lat.—The town is now deserted by everybody except the Hova governor and garrison, and persons under British protection. The report that the French will send troops to occupy the place in a few days is d)s- credited, considering the imprudence of such an operation in the present wet season, which would certainly breed fever and cause great mortality among the troops. Moreover, it is not thought the French would gain anything by occupation. All trade has ceased, and uo natives come into the town to buy or sell. No French subjects are now in this town. All are inland or at other places on the coast, or have left the cotintry.-Feuter.
THE KAISER'S QUARREL CLOSED.
THE KAISER'S QUARREL CLOSED. BERLIN, Wednesday Afternoon.—The text of the congratulatory telegrams which p&ssed yesterday between the German Emperor and the King of Wurtemburg is omciaDy published heto to-day. The messages were of a very cordiat character, and iHsevidentthattheirpub!ication is due to their Majesties' desire to let the world know that their differences have come to an end. Trouble arose !asb summer out of what .King WiUiam regarded as an attempt of the German Emperor to meddle in the internal anairs of Wurtemburg, and more particularly to impair the King's prestige and dignity as chief of the Wurtemburg Anny.-Centrat News.
COURTING RUSSIA.
COURTING RUSSIA. CZAR INVITED TO VIENNA. VIENNA, Wednesday.—It is stated, on what appears to be good authority, that during the visit of General Ruskin, aa special Russian envoy to announce to the Austrian Court the accession of Czar Nicholas II., the question of a visit of the young Czar to Vienna in the autumn of this year was discussed. It is believed that the visit baa been definitely decided upon.—C<!n<fa< News.
TO-DAY'S WEATHER 4.30 A.M.
TO-DAY'S WEATHER 4.30 A.M. TO DAY'S FORECAST FOlt ZKGLAND, &.)f.. Avj) sotrr& WAL.KS. I North t(orth,weeterly wjJ\llø, strong; I squaU)' !hotrery. GENE&AI..—fhn?— t.t ? ?r?????s I
INVASION OF CHINA. .
INVASION OF CHINA. THE CELESTIALS PRESSED FOR MONEY. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IMPERILLED. SH&NGHAl. Wednesday. — A despatch <rom Pekin announces that Captain Hannecken's gr&nd scheme for the formation of n. real army to put in the ne!d against the Japanese is he!d in abeyance owing to lack of the necessary funds for defraying the cost of it. Aa a matter of fact, Captain Hanaeoken never had nay real chance of carrying out his plans, and the control of the scheme has been from the nret entirely m Chinese bands.-Central New,. PEACR NEGOTIATIONS IMPERILLED. WASHINGTON, Wednesday.—Information has reached the State Department to the eSect that the peace negott&tions between China, and Japan are in danger of failure owing to the action of the Chinese m Insisting that they cannot begin to treat unfit after the arrival of their American adviser, Mr Foster. The Japanese decline to wait upon such a nimsy pretext, and M they are in no hurry to concJude peace, they are !ikefy to make the ditatory tactics of the Chinese an excuse for breaking oN negotiationo aJto¡øther.- Cffl.trtÛ j!VeMit. CHINA NEGOTIATING FOR ARMS. SHANGHAI Wednesday Afternoon. — The Chinese Government instil! negotiating here and in Europe for arms and ammunition, and the money with which to pay for them. Maxim, Nordenfeldt, and Krupp have been approached, with what success is not known here. No news has recently been received from P?kin as to the fate of the brother of the Chinese Minister in London. It is understood that the stafh of soma of the Chinese legations in Europe are to be reduced from motive's of economy.-Ctntral 2VeM<. THE CHINESE COLLAPSE. The points out that the IÇmpror of China has shown bis sense of the disastrous conduct of the war with Japan by making an important) change in his onicia! appointments. Li Hung Chang, if we may credit the telegrams, seems to have been superseded at last in the authority he has enjoyed so long. Ho does not appear to have been degraded, but another dignitary has been set over his head. The step is, indeed, momentous to Li Hung Chang, hia relatives and satellites on the one hand, and to Liu Kun-yi, who has superseded !nm, and the famiiy and dependents of L)u Kun-yi on the other. To the rest ot the world it wiH probaMy be found to matter very httJe. Li Hung Change intelligence and hif knowledge of the political conditions of the outside world were undoubted. He had learned to appreciate the superiority of western methods in the practical aKairs of life, and ho bad even made repeated ¡efforts to introduce those methods into China. But Li at heart was a true Chinaman. He appears to have foreseen the calamities which were impending he appears to have earnestly striven to avert them but he bad made up his mind not to press for reforms which no degree of urgency on his part eoufd have carried, and the mere mention of which would have made his name oSensive to a whole hierarchy of tnnuentia! personages. With the first disasters of the war, the o!d man seems to have lost all heart and all power of resistance. In itself it is no doubt a great gain to have the defence of the Empire entrusted to a single hand. Had a capable European oHicer been appointed to the supreme command of all the forces of China by land and sea, even after the war had begun, eome- thmg might have been done by this time to bring a portion of the latent resources of the Empire into play. It may be doubted. indeed, whether even such a step could have proSted very much in the face of the ingrained and incorrigible cor- ruption which permeates almost the entire ruling class of the Empire. Fraud and peculation per. vade the whole Government from top to bottom, and so deeply rooted are they that it will be hard to pluck them out without dislocating the entire fabric in which they grow and Sourish. NEGOTIATIONS. The jMbr<MTK/ .Pos< remarks :—There seems to be no longer any doubt that China has accepted the advice tendered by the representatives of foreign Powers at Pekin, and has decided to send an Embassy to Tokto for the purpose of discussing terms of peace in the Japanese capita!. Uncertainty, however, exists in some quarters as to the powers possessed by the Imperial Commissioners, and it is suggested that their authority only extends to the arrangement of an armistice. But if this were so the Chinese Emperor would acarcety have applied to America for the services of a statesman to assist his Envoys in the negotiations. At one time it was thought that if the Mikado could be persuaded to put an end to hostthties tiM atter the winter months had passed, much might be done by China in the meantime towards putting her mititary and naval organisations into a state of emciency. and it is an open secret: that tha Chinese Emperor inclined to this opmion. But wo have always maintained that it was the intention of Japan to carry on the war at a!! costs unti! they attained the end they bava in view. MattMS have, how- ever, gone too far. and with the .Japa.nese troops in sight, so to speak, of Pokin, nothing but the discussion of peace negotiattons of a permanent character can be intended by the vanquished bathgerent. THE JAPANESE PRESS ON THE WAR. According to the JopctM Daily lIfail just to hand, not one Tokio journal has yet abandoned the discussion of the terms of peace to be obtained from China. The Nicki JV:e&t oai!s upon the public at large, and especiaHy the members of Parliament cot to fait to advise the Government on this important subject. It a!so inv'tes the attention of the Government to the grave duty of paying more than usual heed to the people's voice in auch a national crisi?. .4 The Ministry's aim must be to terminate the war in the way best calculated to pro- mote the interests of the Empire. la choosing that way, they ahoutd not in the least fear the disaffection of the military class or natter the wishes of the members of the Diet. Beacons. tield gained all that was necessary for hia country without losing a drop of Enghsh blood. Gore. scbakoS faiied to obtain what he ought to have obtained after seeing the enemy's stronghold destroyed." But the Nicki Nichi, reserves its own opinion as to the exact terms of peace that should be formutated. It appro- ciatet the value of sconce on certain occasions. —The JVtppott remarks that Formosa, so important from commercial and military points of view, must at all events be taken. Having detailed what an immense expenditure must be incurred by Japan in supporting Corea and protecting Japanese interests tnthe North of China after the war, the independent pRper declares that Formosa will have to be annexed as resource from which to draw receipts at least equal tft these prospective expenditures. Turning to the Kokumin, we read that China has lost more than 6,000 in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and sees a not inconsiderable part of her territory occupied by an enemy whose forces threaten to seize the gates of Pekin itself within a few months. Under these painful oircumstanceo China would best consutt her interests by making overtures of unconditional surrender direct to Japan. Foreign intervention does not promise to succeed better this time than when China solicited the mediation of Russia after the com- bined attack of England and France. What Western State is so qmxotio or sUty as to under- take a task of intervention unl'ke!y to bring a reward bearing reasonable ratio to the danger m- curred !-The,Nippo?& and not a few other papera tell the Chinese Government to be fuliy con- vinced that though Europe has many Christian men, it baa not a solitary State so virtuous and upright in its dealings with its neighbours as to deserve the name of Christian. The Kokkai. enters a strong protect against certain Metro' politan papers that seem to bs intoxicated by the victories thus far won, and unscrupulously ad- vance claims upon Chinese territory utteriy oat of proportion to the objects for which the war was undertaken.
COLLISION ON THE RIVER IRWELL.
COLLISION ON THE RIVER IRWELL. SEVEN PASSENGERS INJURED. A collision occurred on the River IrweU at Manchester on Tuesday between a small passen. ger steamer, running between Salford and the Ship Cana!, and a barge. The latter waa turning out of the River Madtock into the Irwell when the co!iifHon took piaoe. Seven persons were injured, but the steamer was able to continue the journey and tand her passengers.
RELIGIOUS RIOTS IN BULGARIA…
RELIGIOUS RIOTS IN BULGARIA THE MILITARY CALLED OUT. SEVERAL PERSONS WOUNDED. P&IMPPOMLIS, Dec. 28t:h.—Seriousdiaturbances occurred last week at Eskisaghra. Tchirpah and in several villages of the Tatar Bazardjik district. la each soldiers have been despatched to restore order. Last night there was a riot at Staminaka town, s.me twelve miles d:stant from Phitippopolis, principally inhabited by Greeks. Not far from Staminaka is Bachkow, the monastery of the Ho!y Mother, which for the last few months has been in the hands of monks who have declared themselves in favour of the Bulgarian Church, and, therefore, wished to leave the Greek Church, which has had jurisdiction over the monastery for generations past. The bishop contested the pretension put forward by the monks, and for some months the question has been left undecided, the monastery itself remain. ing in the hands of the brotherhood, white the omce ia Stammaka, where a!! its business trans. actions a.re conducted, has been in the bands of Greeks. A few weeks back M. Natchervich telegraphed to the Natohalnik at Staminaka to take the omce buildings, etc., and hand them over to the brotherhood. The Greeks, however, subsequently gathered in strong force in the building, and showed no disposition to give up possession. Last night N.tohn.lnik summoned the military with the object of taking forciMo possession, but as soon as h!s intention became known the Greeks rang t the church bells, and assembled tn largo numbers I with every intention of resisttng the authonties. It is stated that when the soldiers approached and requested them to disperse they began nnng and wounded several omcerp. The aSray then became genera!, and several were wounded on both sides. Finally the crowd gave way, and the onioe taken. The Greek community strongly resent the action of the authorities, and have complained to the Prince and representatives of tha Powers a.t So6a. Over 30 of the Greek corn. munity have been arrested, and the Public Prosecutor is to investigate the matter.—E<M<<;r.
BIRR MILITIA SCANDALS.
BIRR MILITIA SCANDALS. INTERESTING APPLICATION. Tha action by Kathleen 0'DonovaQ and Ann Desmond, formerly servants of Surgeon'Majoc Fox, latety in medical charge of the Birt Garrison, against Henry George Sheppard for aultarisíngfrom themilitaryscaodl\ls, was called for hearing on Wednesday at Roscrea. Application was made to have the case transferred to Nenagh. The solicitor for defendant 'nentloaed that the letter was to be married on the 9ch, and it would be rather infelicitous if the event ctMhed. Ultimately the case was adjourned.
SHIPS OUR MEN GO DOWN IN.…
SHIPS OUR MEN GO DOWN IN. EXTRAORDINARY AGREE- MENT WITH THE CAPTAIN ROMANCE OF THE OCEAN. REMARKABLE SCUTTLING CASE. BOGUS CARGO IN A ROTTEN VESSEL. Before Judge Williams, in the Supreme Couft, New York, a verdict was given in a most extra- ordinary scuttling case, and dnnng the proceed- ing the captain of the vessel appeared and & fe- markable document was produced. The history of the case is as foliows :—On December 1st, 1881, there suited into the harbour of Cruz the barque L. E. Dann, captain Brook". Subsequently a, certain Don R'cardo de Marit CMnpo became acquainted with Captain Brooks, and unfolded a scheme before the master tor scuttling the sh!p and making them aM rich. Campo was a Mexican, a.nd another man, by B&me Don Antonia Crane, tried bis powers of persua. sion with the captain, and prevaiied. The pro- position was that Crane should charter the ship, and, after putting on board a faJse cargo to let het heavily jnsured, when SHE WAS TO BE SCUTTLED. An agreement was drawn up, and th's extr&ordia. ary document was produced in court. By it Crane promised to pay Captain Brooks SOOdolf!. down on his agreeing to carry out the plot. 2,000 doUars on signing the charter party, 2,000 dollars on signing the Mse biiis of ladtng. and 2.000 dollars in furnishing proof that the vessel had been lost. Captain Brooks received the first in- stalment and the charter party was signed. The ¡ cargo was then put on board, and after the signing of the b)Hs of htding the ship saijed. The value of the cargo was put down a.s 150,000 doUars, and the bills of lading were sent to Messrs Crane's agents in New York, who, behoving them genuine, insured the fnUy in acoordaaoe with Messrs Craned instruotioGs. The captain, however, appeared to hafe STRUGGLED WITH HIS COKgME!<OZ, aad put iato a little nebing bay ealied TtcolaUa, about 60 mites from Vera Cruz, where he tbottght the matter over. Having repeuted of his agre&. meat, he decided not to it out. The barque however, through long service in warm waters was very much wonn-eat,on,notbeingooppered,and consequently during the voyage she sprang <t leak and waa abandoned on the Carolixa coast, aboaf Sfty miies from Charleston. The insurance corn. pacy, however, sent a tug to the veeeet, and towed her to Norfolk, Va., when the fraud was dis. covered. The vessel was then waterlogged, &nd nearly sunk. It was found that the cargo instead of being a valuable one was utter)y worthhMs, BAGS OF DIRT, DESCRIBED AS COFfKR. and sour Norwegian beer, being manifested as cases of rubber. There had also been ZOO tons of s&nd and other valueless articles, on which heavy insurance was eSected. Being in a foreign country, the underwriters did not take thp matter up, but several heavy advMioee were made in New York on the documents sent, one 6rm in this way advancing 60,000 dollant. A oltum was Bfade upon the underwriters by tboee lIuffer, but on the matter coming for tri&i the otMte weat in favour of the undorwnteK on aoooaat of the CONSPIRACY TO DESTROY THK TZSM&. Oae ahipper, however, numed HoSman, wt< eaid to hava made a shipment by the veesat in a bona fide n.anner to the extent of 29.500 dollarf, and his New York agent, Mr Voisin, got a verdict in his favoar. The case was brought before the Geoent! Term Court, when the verdict was reversed, it being held that there were facts which a jary should have considered. The final scenes in the case were therefore witnessed on too 21st ujt., when Judge Wiilia.uts confirmed the Genera! Term's decision.—The defence showed that while HoSman's biU of in one ease showed 430 bags coSee, only 85 were found in the ship, to- gether with 185 bags of dirt, and & lot of baga of corn, and other discrepancies.
MUSICIANS IN CONFERENCE
MUSICIANS IN CONFERENCE CARDIFF PROPOSED FOR THE NEX! MEETING. The 10th annual conference of the Incorporat* Society of Musicians opened on Wedtteedey the Dubha Mansion House. About 150 leadint British musicians were among those preseat. The Lord Mayor presided and welOOJlled th< conferenoo to Dubhn. After the aODUM was passed. Sir John Stainer read a papw do. ing the training given to thf m'nd by icsHO Edmbur&h. Loudon, rmd Cardtff were propoMt aa places for next yeare ccnfereoce, an' Edinburgh was selected. In the afternoon c: Mann lectured, with musical illustratlOD Trinity CoUege. on The growth of Haoat I and the day's ww brousht to a by a oonTetSMiooa m tM ecteoce and art museum.
CARDIFF SHIPOWNERS' ASSOCIATION.j
CARDIFF SHIPOWNERS' ASSOCIATION.j REDUCTION OlTLLOYD'S FEES. At the ordinary meeting of the Card)K bM? owner? AMOoiati?n. to be held oa Fnday B? the foUowing business wilt be tr&aMCted:-? coMidpr the question of income tax aHowaoeo M deprecation oa steam slllpping; correspondent rc he reduction of Lloyd's fees for cl!tnficø.tlon f Messrs More! Bros. wil! 0&11 attenb«mto th. restriction in option at the port of Bilbao aat :rove a resolution ther<-on; to oonstffr *!n resolution it may be thought AdvIsable t.O prc at the n? annua! noting of the 0? Chamber of Shipping to ?s.? the M?? genttemen mMnb<.rs of t:? ??? Richard Matbias Md Mr Cb-r:es Radel.ife.W aad?tM?ad *h? redaction of M pM' <e*Mh the fwes has been conceded at Lloyd's.