SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 December 1901, Page 4

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NE WS.

Signing of the Canal Treaty. San Francisco, Dec 6. On November 18th Lord Pauncetote, British Ambassador, and the Secretary of State, Mr Hay, signed at Washington tha new canal treaty between the United States and Great Britain. Tbo event, though of such importance, was marked by severe simplicity. L,.rd Pauncefote, accompanied by Mr Percy Wyndham, Second Secretary of the British Embassy, appeared at mid-day. They were expected, and were at once shown into the Secretary’s office. Two parchment copies of the treaty were read. The signatures of the duly accredited representatives of the two great Powers were at once placed upon the scrolls. Mr Hay signed first the copy whhh was to go to London, and .Lord Pauncefots first the one to go intj the archives of the State Department. When the signatures and seals had been affixed the Secretary and Ambassador shook bauds and exchanged congratulations. Public Entertainers Before Royalty The Central European theatrical world is interested in the summoning to Sandringham of two companies of entertainers. The first was Dan Leno, the first musichall artist ever invited to the Court. He was accompanied by Miss Tcrriss and Hicks and other supporters, all very proud of being summoned before the King. The next performance was by Sousa and his famous American band. They played by Royal command for two hours, and were most graciously received, the King displaying keen delight at the music. Preparations for the Coronation. Active preparation are on foot for the coronadon of King Edward. The cos-tume-makers of London were summoned to Norfolf House, where specimens of the robes to be worn by peers and peeresses were on view. The object was to enable the costumiers to get the exact tints of crimson velvet and'details, and the making of the robes will now be started in earnest. The British Museum has been besieged bv persons searching records for notes of dresses and regulations for previous coronations. Coal Miners’ Strike in France. A despatch from Paris on November 21st says : —“The situation in the mining centres of France is again approaching a climax. The result of the recent referendum, while it gave a majority in favour but the actual number of miners were either opposed to a strike or were not enthusiastic, and impelled the federation officials to put off the declaration of the strike on the plea that it was advisable to await the decisions of the Chamber of Deputies engaged in studying the demands of miners. It now appears unlikely that the Commission will satisfy these demands and extreme partisans are trying to force the hand of federation officials in favor of a strike. Complete order prevails at present, but an imposing force of gendarmes, infantry, and cavalry has been billeted in every coalfield to cope with any disorder. The miners make three demands—viz, shorter hiurs, more pay, and pensions which if granted, would, says the correspondent, involve an annual expense to tha State of eight million francs.