'FRISCO MAIL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 545, 15 October 1902, Page 4

'FRISCO MAIL NEWS.

(Per R.M.S. Ventura at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25.

The condition of tlie Central and South American Republics continues to he critical. England lias become most impatient, because of the continued differences with Venezuela. Prominent British officials have reported expressing a wish that the United States would swallow the troublesome little Republics, ensuring peace and quiet. The revolution is gaining ground in Venezuela. It»is believed that the days of the present Government are numbered.

Cnlumhia. has declined to accept a protocol arranging the terms of construction of tlie Panama Canal. There is a possibility of the waterway not being begun. The protocol was signed by the Columbian representatives at Washington last spring, and was not binding, not having been agreed to by the Columbian Congress, Admiral Coghlan has been sent to West Indian waters to command the fled, which lias to lie kept there owing to the continued disturbances. Large numbers of marines have been stationed at Colon to keep the railroad route across Panama. At first it was presumed the marines were to make it possible for work on the canal to he begun, but this is denied by the officials at Washington. With regard to the sinking of the I lay thin gunboat by the German gunboat Panther, it appears that the captain of the Panther received orders to capture the piratical gunboat Cretea Pierrot. The German commander encountered the Creia Pierrot, ami ordered her to strike her colours ami disembark. 'The Panther had cleared for action. The order of the German was obeyed, but when lie attempted to take tlie boat in tow an explosion in the powder magazine destroyed the stern of flic Cretea Pierrot, and set her on fire, Ollier explosions followed and as the work of the rebellious crew was regarded as a hostile act, the German cnmnmmu.- - oinp ] ete(l the (k , v traction of the vessel by a cannonade. The affair created considerable excitement at the time, but no results have followed, the German commander evidently having kept within his right. The Secretary of State, Mr liay, has addressed a slate paper through tbe Ministers and Ambassadors to certain European Powers, asking for some action to be taken to protect the Jews in Roumania. Tlie ground taken by Secretary Hay is tluit tlie oppressed Jews of Roumania look to the United .States as their only refuge They throw themselves upon the charity of ibis country in large numbers. In the opinion of European authorities the Note will have no effect. It is asserted that nothing short of the crushing of Roumania will suffice. No Power is ready to undertake this. San Francisco, Sept. 2.3. The strike in the Pennsylvania and West Virginia coal regions is not yet over. The situation is most- distressing and alarming. President Mitchell, of the Coal Miners’ Association, is said to be becoming discouraged by tbe difficulty of inducing the strikers to maintain peace. Members of the National Board have expressed an opinion that the stationing of soldiers in the affected region will ;iiave the effects of suppressing marching by strikers, picketing, and other demonstrations, hut will not give the mine operators any other advantage or make it possible for the operator to put a rorcc of men into the mines sufficient to resume operations.

A large number of colored miners from the south have been brought iuto the districts involved. In some places these men have gone to work under the protection of troops. Mr Pierpont Morgan has disappointed the strikers, who expected him to take some steps for the adjustment of the strike. On the ether hand he has given 20,000d0l to aid in the distribution of coal to the poor of New York City. The National Civil Federation, an organisation of prominent citizens for the purpose of voluntary arbitration in the strike, has been powerless in this most serious trouble, It has become apparent that arbitration must be made compulsory by Congress during the approaching sessions,