SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 December 1901, Page 4

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

A Submarine Telephonic Cable.

San Fbancisco, November 14.

The State Department at Washington is informed that the Netherlands are to telephonic communication with London and other large cities of England. A new submarine and telephonic cable will be laid connecting Brussels with London, and that circuit will be so disposed as to serve, besides London and Brussels', Antwerp, Leige, Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. The American Consul reports that the point of immersion of the Belgium side will be near Lapanne, and the lino will emerge again at Hamsgate, on the English coash A Bold Address. A dispatch from St. Petersburg says that great excitement was created by the address which M. A. Stahkovich, Marshall of the Provinco of Orel, used in greeting the Missionary Congress at Orel. M. Stahkovich boldly preached freedom of conscience, toleration of the dissidents and other arch heresies with which nobles

and officials are popularly supposed not to be tainted. The speech was printed by the paper of Prince Oukhtomsky, which appears to have more than a common courage, and called forth a storm of protest from the orthodox priests, and from the whole of the reactionary Press. The speaker declared that ths orthodox faith was strong enough to dispense with the police, and said it was time for everybody to preach salvation after his own fashion. British Trade Returns. The '-Tribune's" London correspondent states that the British trade returns for October show a still further decline in the volume of the nation'3 commerce. There is a drop of £750,000 in exports as compared with October last year, while ten months of the year give a diminution of nearly £10,000,000. The fall in the last month is due mainly to the diminished value of coal exported, in metals, machinery, and newspapers. There is a considerable decrease, which is balanced by the great increase in the value of textile exports. The imports Bhow a marked reduction of no less than £4,000,000. The general impression produced by these figures is that trade is distinctly on the down grade.

The Capture of Miss Stone

Miss Stone, the American missionary captured by Turkish brigands, has not yot been restored to her friends, though some letters have been received from her. These appear to show she is not suffering severe hardships, but they have delayed andotherwise manipulated by the brigands in such a fashion as to afford little clue. A despatch from Washington states that President Boosevelt will demand a strict accounting with Turkey and Bulgaria for the capture and detention of Miss Stone, no matter whether Bhe is released by ransom or murdered. Ths President has been both embarassed and annoyed by the manner in which Turkey and Bulgaria are acting in the case. Turkey endeavours to shift the responsibility upon Bulgaria, and Bulgaria is trying to p'aoe the blame on Turkey by insisting if there is any release it must be on Turkish soil. There are the best of reasons for asserting that the United States has already advised the Powers of the intention to teach Turkey and Bulgaria a severe lessod, and this can only be done in precisely the same manner used by France in bringing Turkey to terms.

The Schley Court of Enquiry. The Schley Court of Enquiry was adjourned at Washington after being in session over forty days, and making a record which, when completed, will cover about 2000 pages. Captain Lenly, advocate, made a doting argument at great length. It was mainly an analysis of the testimony, but occasionally a conclusion was drawn, and frequently there was a criticism of the course pursued by Admiral (then Commodore) Schley at the battle of Santiago. In this relation Captain Lsnley said :—" From my knowledge of the man, having served under his com • mand on two cruisers, I have never believed, nor do I claim, from the evidence, that personal misconduct, or to call a spade a spade, cowardice, was exhibited by Commodore Schley in any part of his career as Commander-in-Chief of the Flying Squadron, but I submit, with regret, that in the passage from K>y West to Cienfuegos, while at Uie latter port en route to the southward of Santiago, without a settled destination, and in the affair of Key West, the Admiral exh.bited unsteadiness in purpose and in push and in failure to obey orders." After the adjournment Admiral Schley and his counsel for a time lingered about the hall in which tbey had recently speut so much time, and there were manj affectionate words of farewell spoken. Admiral Schley, as usual, was called upon to receive the greeting of numbers of admirers, and many people waited about the door to bid him good-bye. The findings of the Court may not be looked for immediately, as the Naval Court appointed to listen to the testimony will now go over the details minutely, taking plenty of time for discussion, and for studying the records submitted as evidence, and comparing notes. French Marine and Industrial Proposals. At the Paris Chamber of Deputies there ha 3 begun a discussion of a Ministerial project aiming at the revival of the decaying merchant marine of France. The projeci provides that any iron or steel vessel exceeding 100 tons gross tonnage engaged in any inter-nation trade, and flying the French flag, shall receive ao. annual subsidy in proportion to her tonnage until she is twenty years old. A larger subsidy is accorded to vessels fulfilling similar conditions built in France, and under fifteen years old. Admiral Reincur (Republican) criticised the Bill as ineffective, and suggested a tax on foreign flags entering French ports. Another cablegram announces that the Miniit >r of Commerce at Paris proposes to appoint a committee to make an elaborate plan for establishing a French school in the United States devoted to the study of American industrial methods. M. Millerand and himself is said to be the originator of this scheme. M. Bouquet, Director-in-Chief of the Department of Technical Instruction of tho Ministry of Commerce, said in an interview ; " We realise that America leads the van in industrial progress. She is far ahead of England, Germany, and ourselves in organisation and methods of work. Hitherto we have been sending numbers of students of engineering to Germany, England and Belgium, but the Minister has come to the conclusion that the field that offers the greatest profit in their study is the United States. Therefore, the new undertaking is planned."

Still another indication that France does not intend to be left far behind in the race between the nations comes in the shape of an announcement of an increase of the navy. The Minister of Marine, M. DeLanessan, presiding at the launching of the armoured cruiser Leon Gambetta on October 26tb, said the vessel was one of a new contingent of upwards of one hundred warships, each to possess perfect fighting qualiiica. Unless unforseen difficulties occurred abroad, the naval programme would be completed in the time fixed by the Chamber, and then Franco would enjoy at sea the same security her numerous solid battalions assured her on the continent of Europe. While the French vessels were more costly they were worth more than the ships of other maritime nations. The French navy was directing its efforts to the fighting qualities of its ships rather than to numbers. Only strong nations could hope to honourably preserve peace and liberty.