GENERAL CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 335, 7 February 1902, Page 1

GENERAL CABLES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigut Washington, Feb. 5. Schwima, head of the first Philippine Commission, in reversing a former recot.mendation, now advocates independence being granted. There is a growing feeling that the islands are troublesome and costly.

Constantinople, Feb. 5. The building where a party conveying the ransom for Miss Stone slept was wilfully fired. The ransom was saved. Turks are objecting to payment on Turkish soil. Melbourne, Feb. 6. Mr Barton, referring to Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s letter, says he will be glad to discuss the questions mentioned, but could not stay his hand in action regarding tho Pacific cable. The Premier states that Victoria hasnot made the 3 per cent, commission charge on tho Imperial Government, and does not intend to do so.

The Governor, referring to the defences, advised the Commonwealth to obtain from the Admiralty the loan of fairly modern ships, with modern armaments, so that Australians could go to sea and be taught gunnery at sea. He thinks the equivalent spent on training Australian seamen on larger ships would be found to be a more valuable contribution than the sum at present devoted to an auxiliary squadron. Tho captain of the Port Patrick has been exonerated for abandoning tho vessel, but found guilty of an error of judgment in not landing from the Abergeldie at the Promontory in order to watch the vessel from the shore.