FRISCO MAIL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 697, 17 December 1902, Page 3

FRISCO MAIL NEWS.

A MODERN ROMANCE, 'ARISTOCRAT RENOUNCES THE WORLD OF LUXURY, FOR A PEASANT (URL. (Per R.M.S, Ventura at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27. A despatch from Quebec states that confirmation lias .just, tome from England of the story that Arthur Forlesque, nephew of tlic Duke of Portland, lias renounced the world of luxury for the sake of a, Russian peasant girl whom fie first saw in the far West of Canada, yoked to a plough with several other Doukthohor women. The Englishman and Doukthohor were made husband and wife according to tlic strange rites of the community. The young man, who is an honor graduate of Oxford, and well known in University athletic circles, willingly surrendered bis fortune and possible title for flic girl he found harnessed .to a plough.

GUATEMALA ERUPTION' (Per R.M.iS. Ventura at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27. Tlie Guatemala eruption occurred oil October 21, but 1 lie full reports were delayed. Tim volcano which sprung into action is El Rosario, at the foot of Santa Maria. It is believed that at least three or lour thousand natives perished. 'The district ruined is covered with coffee plantations, which are covered with stones and ashes live to seven feet deep. A few refugees who escaped have pitiful tales to tell. One planter reported that he counted the bodies of 70 natives while riding towards the coast. All the party were buried under stones and ashes, each lying beside a pack of household treasures which he was attempting to save. He believed the territory at least 30 miles beyond the volcano will have to lie permanently abandoned, owing to a great deposit of volcanic debris. Steamers at sea report showers of askes U> days after the first eruption. .WIN FOR GERMANY^

.(I’cr U.M.S, Ventura at Auckland.) SAN FKANCfSCO, Nov. 27. A despatch from Washington gives a .summary of tlie decision of King Orient 11., in regard to the claims of Germany, Great Britain and the United Stales in reference to the military operations in Samoa in 18!)!). The decision is entirely in favour 01 Germany as much as if prepared by the diplomats of that nation. It is set forth that the United States ship Philadelphia and British steamer Porpoise opened lire across the town of Apia, directing the lire Against the forces of the high chief Alataafa;. and that that fflic same vessels brought the newly appointed King of Samoa, Mafietoa, and his forces to Alalaiiurc Point, and supplied them with arms and amimition for a struggle with Alataafa, The arbitrator states he found nothing in the treaty of Berlin to warrant such actions. In response to the Anglo-American claim that their action was necessary for the saving of life and property, the statement 'is made that no evidence indicates any such action was necessary for the protection of lives and property. It is added that Alataafa never intended to cross the bay at that time to attack the consulates, anil on account of the state of the tide he could not possibly have (lone so at the time. Alalictoa, it is asserted, had been defeated at this time, hut the United States Admiral and British officials brought hack his warriors, armed and provisioned them, giving them amimition which, under the treaty, should only have been issued at the unanimous request of all tnree Consuls. 'l'he decision concludes with the assertion that the military action m question cannot lie considered warranted, and that therefore His Brittanic Majesty's Government and the United .States Government are responsible, tinder UTe convention of November 7, 18U!), for the losses caused by the said military action, while reserving for future decision the question of the extent the two Governments are responsible for such losses.

FOOLISH FINANCE^ (Ptr R.M.S. Ventura at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. -.17. A cable message from London, dated November dd, says the Si. James Gazette has made a surprising, exposure of the London Municipal !• malices The liabilities of the Corporation are placed at thirty million dollars, and the assets at 1,900,000 dollars. Ihe reserve fund has disappeared, 'the expenses oi the Civil Government incln(linir the Guildhall least, are steadily rising, although the corporation sets aside only £15,000 annually in liquidation of 'liabilities. It could, by proper management at any time; produce dIU for every £1 of debt. 'Hie liabilities are loans, many raised at the high rate of four per cent, interest. It is estimated that at the present rate of repaying, the Corporation Will Lake two hundred years to pay oil the loan raised for the City Market Improvements..