English Mail News.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7366, 14 November 1898, Page 4

English Mail News.

In a telegram upon the situation in China the Pekin correspondent of the Times says :—The Emperor, although edicts are nominally issued by him, is now a nonentity. He will probably die, and his death will make no difference in the situation. The Dowager Empress is likely to appoint a successor who will be a mere figure-head, she herself holding the reins of power. It is reported that she personally holds strong views»regarding Russian sggresslon in Manchuria, and, although she will in all probability reinstate Li Hung Chang, it is not thought likely that she will countenance Russian pretentions in that direction. Although the Mahdi's body was destroyed, some enthusiast has secured his head and is sending it Home to the Royal College of Surgeons. The skull is large and well formed. In a case before the Bromley Bench on September 26th, it was stated that the defendant was the father of 21 children—a record family, it is stated, for the county ofKent. Speaking at West Stanley on September 28th Sir Chorles Dilke expressed his conviction that the establishment of a broad, single, simple franchise must precede true democratic progress. Forty - seven delegates, representing 317,500 men, attended » meeting of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain in London on September 28th, when it was decided to accept the terms of the employers offered on July 6th. Through the generosity of Colonel F. R. Waldo Sibthorp the South Kinsington Museum has recently become possessed of a large collection of silversmith's work, chiefly German, ranging in date from the sixteenth century to the present time. As had been anticipated, Mr Curzon has accepted a peerage, and for the present at any rate the Yiceroy-elect of India will be known, to quote the official announcement, *' by the name, style, and title of Baron Curzon of Kedleston, in the peerage of Ireland." At some future date he will succeed to his fathers title of Baron Scarsdale, but in the meantime, since his new dignity is only "in the peerage of Ireland," it does not carry with it a seat in the House of Peers. This leaves the way open to Mr CurzoD's return to active political life in the House of Commons should he desire to do so after his term of office in India expires five years hence. The Queen had on Saturday, September 24th, reigned just two years longer than the "previous best," King George 111. Her Majesty's occupancy of the throne having lasted 61 years and 96 days—from June 26th, 1837 ; while her grandfather's reign lasted 59 years and 96 days— from October 25th, 1760, to January 29tb, 1820.

The Socialistic leader, P. Holm, until recently a member of the Folketbing, and Vice-president of the Copenhagen Municipal Council, died on September 26ch in prison, where he was confined on a charge of having participated in questionable speculations in connection with certain sales of land to the Copenhagen municipality. The war correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, in a message dated Cairo September 26th, says: "If: is reported that Major Macdonald has reached Lado." Lado, where the expedition of Major Macdonald is reported to have arrived, is nearly opposite Gondokoro, and is some 550 miles south of Fashoda, on the White Nile. It is about 250 miles distant from the Albert Nyanza, and the river between It and the Great Lake is not navigable, except in parts, owing to the waterfalls and rapids. In the old days Gondokoro was a very important trading station, and was several times visited by the late Sir Samuel Baker during his expeditions. Lado is only a little distance north of Kejaf, where the Belgians have a post. There is also a strong Dervish garrison near, at a town called Bor. This is the force which attacked the Belgians last Jane, and nearly defeated them. Whatever may be the truth about Dpeyfas, there can be no doubt as to the

appalling state of things which has obtained in France foe some years past. A vivid lighfr' has been thrown on the espionage system, by a Daily News correspondent, who tells why M. Caslmir-Perier resigned. The reason for that startling step has np to now been kept a profound secret, so far as the world in general is concerned, bub was known apparently to a good many people In high places. That M. Gasimlr-Perler abandoned his post in disgust was clear at the time. It now seems that he sacrificed himself in order to prevent war being declared against France by Germany. An account of the Dreyfus affair which Count Munster, the German Ambassador in Paris, sent to the Emperor was intercepted, photographed, and returned to its envelope. M. CasimirPerier knew nothing of this, and when Count Munster demanded his passports, gave an undertaking that he would use his influence and authority to prevent a recurrence of tho offence. The very document in which this undertaking was conveyed by the Ambassador to the Emperor was, however, treated exactly like its predecessor, and Germany threatened to mobilise forthwith if satisfaction were not given for this new Insult. M. CasimirPerier, overwhelmed with shame that such outrages should be perpetrated against a nation with whom France was at peace, gave the satisfaction demanded by resigning the Presidency and all political ambition. The French fleet in Chinese waters is to be reduced to a single division again. Admiral de la Bedolliere, the present second in command, has been ordered home on the cruiser Jean Bart. The cruisers Bruix and Eclaireur are already on their way : back, and the battleship Bayard is to be laid up at Saigon. The Daily News reproduces some interi esting statistics published by the Washington Bureau of Ordnance as to the cost of annihilating the Spanish navy. The expenditure in powder and shell was trifling. L9OOO worth of ammunition was sufficient to send Admiral Montijo's fleet to the bottom of Manila Bay; 5681 projectiles were fired, for the most part six and onepounders. Admiral Cervera's ships were somewhat more expensive to destroy. L 20,000 worth of powder and shell settled the fate of the flower of the Spanish navy; 7581 shells were fired, varying in size from 13in projectiles to one pounders. The Financial News is informed that negotiations are on foot for the formation of a small syndicate which would organise a party to make a search for the box of pearls which M. Louis de Riougemont states he left on the much-discussed island. It will be remembered that M. de Rougement says that, for all he knows to the contrary, the box is there still, although in the lapse of time since the distinguished traveller left the a good deal of sand may have silted upon it. A rough estimate of the value of these pearls, taking M. de Rougement's statements to be correct, is stated to be L 20.000, or, by one authority, L 50,000 ; and it is estimated by those concerned that a sum of not more than L4OOO would be required to make an exhaustive search. It is obvious, however, that if the pearls are discovered there is room for a dispute with regard to their ownership, and it would be as well for the syndicate—when its cipital has been obtained—to make terms with M. de Rougemont before starting the proposed expedition. Mr J. Murphy says he has formed a " syndicate to apply to the Western Australian Government for the usual rewards for the discovery of three separate new goldfields, and to take up a large area of the richest mining lands before making known the localities," these localities being those alleged to be discovered by M. de Rongemont. The pearl business, however, seems to be another matter.