NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1583, 17 March 1879, Page 4

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

[" Homo News," January 30.] I tub rLACtuis, J The plague in Astrachan appears to be assuming serious proportions. Fugitives from j the infected district have carried the con- i tagion to three other villages, and quarantine hits been proclaimed throughout the district of Enotaievsk. A Bpecial conference of the Medical Council and the chiefs of various departments of the Ministry of the Interior has been held to deliberate upon the best measures to be taken for localising the epidemic. Up to January 4th a large number of persons hare died in the locality visited by the plague. Active steps have been taken in the neigh- | bouring districts to arrest the contagion, and j temporary hospitals have been erected. The plague lias reached the Government ot Saratow. At Tsaratzyu there have been 173 deaths, and at the present time the mortality is 10 per cent, of the population. The press of St. Petersburg discusses the inefficiency of the quarantine arrangements, and proposes that nurses should volunteer, and that the attendants connected with the Eid Cross Society during the late war should proceed to Astrachan. M. Mazoff, the Director of the Ministry of the Interior, has issued a notification declaring that the reports respecting the plague which have been published here are exaggerated. The Minister, while deprecating the publication of such reports as calculated to give rise to unnecessary apprehension, points out the various measures taken by the Government to stamp out the epidemic. Official telegrams received from Astrachan announce that the sanitary state of the district has improved. In six village! all those who wera attacked by the plague have died ; but since then no more cases have occurred there. At present all attention is concentrated upon the village of Wetlianka, in order to put an end to the epidemic, the contagious and fatal oharaoter of which has been established beyond all doubt. In view of the ravages threatened by the pestilence which has broken out in other parts of Eussia, in the event of its spreading into Europe, the appointment of a joint European Commission haß been mooted, with directions to confer upon the best measures to be taken for preventing it from spreading beyond Russia, and to recommend identical regulations to be adopted in the various exmntries. The matter does not appear to have advanced beyond the first Btago of suggestion. The Governments of Germany and Austria will, however, personally despatch medical men on their own account to the disease-stricken districts to inquire into the character of the epidemic, and to watch its progress. These medical men will be accredited to the consuls of the two Powers, and will be charged to watch over the execution of the precautionary measures enjoined with a view of isolating the disease g A semi-official statement announces that in regard to the epidemic in Astrachan the Austro-Hungarian Government took steps gome time ago to obtain clear information as to the state of affairs. Mention is made of the despatch to Vienna of a member of the German sanitary office, Dr. Finkelnburg, in connection with this matter, and it is further announced that at the suggestion of Prince Auorsperg conferences will be held on the subject of preventing the extension of the epidemic, and that an understanding on the point has been arrived at with the Hungarian Government. THE CHARGE OP THREATENING TEE QUEEN. Edward Byrne Madden, fifty-six, described as a tutor, was brought up upon an indictment charging him with feloniously sending to the Hon. Adolphus F. 0. Liddell, Q.C., Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, a letter threatening to kill her Most Gracious Majesty the Qi;een. He was also arraigned for feloniously demanding money with menaces from the Right Hon. R. A. Cross, M.P., the Home Secretary. Mr Poland, on the case being called on, put in several letters which had been written by the prisoner, proving that he was insano, and therefore unable to plead to the indictment. A jury was therefore formally empanelled to try hi ß sanity. Mr John Rowland Gibson, surgeon to her Majesty's Gaol of Newgate, was Bworn and stated that the prisoner had been confined there since the 19th of December last, and he had seen him daily. Ho was certainly of opinion that ho was not of sound judgment and understanding. He had various delusions connected with the charges made against him, and was quite unfit to plead. Mr Justice ' Hawkins—You think his mental condition is such that he is not capable of pleading to the indictment? The witness answered in the affirmative. Mr Justice Hawkins, addressing the jury, said they had heard what Mr Gibson, the prison surgeon, had stated in evidenoe—that he believed the prisoner was insane and that his condition of mind was such that he was not capable of pleading to the indictment. It was a very grave charge against him, and it was for the jury to say what they thought upon that evidence. The jury at once returned a verdict to the effect that they were of opinion that he was of unsound mind and incapable of pleading ; upon which the learned judge directed that he bo kept in prison durmg her Majesty's pleasure. THE MRS IN BIBMINGHAM FREE LIBBABY. A most calamitous fire broke out on January 11th in the Free Reference Library, attaohed to the Birmingham and Midland Institute at Birmingham, the whole contents of that portion of the building, inclusive of the world-known "Shakespeare Library," being destroyed. The cause of the disaster has not yet been fully explained, but it is stated that a man, in the employ of the gas department of the corporation, was engaged in thawing v the gas pipes, the supply of gas having been out off through the frost, when, by a misadventure, he ignited some shavings, which were carried by a draught to other inflammable lubstances, causing flames which rapidly reached the Reference Library. There were here about thirty of the frequenters ot the library, who made attempts to save some of the valuable books, especially those in the " Shakespeare Library," but with little result, owing to the rapidity with which the fire gpreael. The steam fire-engine did not arrive until three-quarters of an hour after the alarm was given, and even then its services were not available for a considerable time from the frozen state of the water " mains." The fire rapidly extended from the Reference Library to the Free Lending Library, which is underneath. Some volunteers here succeeded in effecting an entrance through the windows, and rescued several hundreds of volumes, which were thrown to persons outside and placed in cabs and other vehicles. The fire continued its course almost unchecked until the whole of this portion of the extensive building was gutted, nothing but the outer walls remaining. The building and iti contents was insured in the Lancashire and Yorkshire office to the extent of £24,000, but of course the magnitude of the disaster cannot be gauged by any peomniary estimate, many of the volumes destroyed being absolutely unique. The " Shakespeare Library ' was the most complete collection of folios, criticisms, translations, and Shakespearian lore generally in the world. This library alone numbered 8000 volumes, only a few of which have been saved. The Reference Library proper contained about 80,000 volumes, ranging over all departments of literature, including many rare MSS. and old editions. The Cervantes collection, which included almost every known edition, and the Staunton Warwickshire collection of prints, drawings, and engravings illustrating mediaeval and other buildings have perished. The latter collection had only recently been purchased by the subscribers to the Midland Institute at a cost of £3OOO. A large number of pamphlets, books, &c, relating to local history, some of them tho only copies in existence, have been burnt. It is believed that the statues of the Prince Consort and other notabilities are saved. THE XEADEB OP THE OPPOSITION. It is again asserted upon tolerably good authority that Mr Gladstone will be reinstated as the Liberal leader in the House of Commons vice Lord) Hartington, resigned. Of one thing there is no doubt, the Radical irreconcilables—who, if they are not growing more powerful, are at least becoming more noisy, and very conspicuous among /whom is Mr Chamberlain—are exceedingly dissatisfied with the lukewarm leadership of Lord Harrington. These gentlemen; make singularly

little allowance for the extreme difficulties of the position in which Lord Hartington is placed. They only know that he decs not go as far and as fast as they desire, and they grumble accordingly. Whatever may bo the future relations between Lord Hartington on the one hand or Mr Gladstone on tho other and the Radicals, i may bo safely predicted that the session which begins this day fortnigh!, February 13li wilt bo one of critical importance to the extreme left of Liberalism. THE BSITTSJI ABMY. The annual general report of the British army for the year 1877 just published, shows that on January Ist, 1878, the army was considerably above its authori&ed strength, the establishment being 161,877, and the effective strength, owing to the number of supernumeraries enrolled, amounted to 166,366 rank and file. The number of troops stationed in England is stated to be 70,058 ; in tho Channel "Islands, 1862 ; in Ireland, 22,722 ; and in Scotland, 4036. Tho colonies absorb 27,942, and the garrison of India accounts for 61,612, making a total, including drafts on passaee to and from India and the colonies of 190,245 of all ranks. Of this number 1019 belong to the Household Cavalry; 14,079 to the Cavalry of the Lino; 5106 to the Royal Horse Artillery ; and 25,589 to the field and garrison brigades of the same regiment; 105,274 to the Infantry of the Line ; 4273 to the Royal Engineers ; 1960 to Colonial Corps ; 2501 to the Army Servico Corps ; and 1264 to the Army Hospital Corps. The Militia of the United Kingdom has an establishment of 127,724 rank and file, but of this number 15,675 are wanting to complete—amounting to one-ninth of the establishment in England, one-eighth in Scotland, and nearly oneseventh in Ireland. Of the English Militia, 21 per cent, are enrolled in the Reserve, of the Scotch 29£ per cent., and of the Irish 22£ per cent., the regiment supplying the largest number of men to the Reserve being tho Highland Light Infantry at Inverness. THE " BKCIPEOCITY " NOTION. An insane movement is now being made by a certain clique of fussy and notoriety-hunt-ing members of both Houses of Parliament in favor of an attempt to restore national prosperity by means of what is called " reciprocity." Now reciprocity is protection under another name. Reciprocity would subject to a pecuniary mulct the imports of those nations who are foolish enough to impose a protective tariff on our exports. Obviously the consequence of such a proceeding would be to add to the price of all goods sold in Great Britain. We should, in fact, to use an expressive colloquialism, be cutting off our nose to spite our face. This reciprocity delusion has received no better exposure than that given to it by Mr Chamberlain the other day at Birmingham. Of all countries in the world, the greatest offender in the way of protective tariffs is the United States of America. Upon these States, therefore, wo ought to make the first experiment. In 1877, which is the last year for which the returns are published, America exported to us £77,000,000 worth of goods, while England oxported to America £16,000,000. Against which of these Transatlantic imports into Great Britain are we to institute a protective tariff ? Against tobacco, which we get from America to the value of £2,000,000 a year ? But tobacco is already taxed to the tune of more than two hundred per cent. Are wo, then, going to tax food ? If so, we shall have to impose the tariff upon £40,000,000 worth of American goods, for that is the value of the beef, ham, bacon, and corn we annually receive from the other side of " the pond." Thirty millions more consist of raw material, such as cotton. If cotton is taxed not merely will more money be taken out of tho English consumer, but the destruction of English trade will follow. ENGLAND'S PROSPECT IN 1879.

In the general prospect, on which the present year has opened, there is less ground for apprehension than some alarmists have discovered. The internal conditions of every European people are such as to render it impossible for them to cherish any aggressive designs without jeopardising their domestic peace. In Russia Nihilism and almost bankruptcy; in Germany, Socialism and embittered controversy between Protectionists and Free Traders; in Austria, the strain to which the Constitution has been already subjected by the eventß of the last few months, are enough to make the idea of foreign war distasteful in the extreme to the Cabinets of the Continent. The peace of Europe seems assured, not because the era of wars is over, but because, at the present moment, the enterprise of war is impracticable. In the East there is more reason for anxiety. Here we know very little, save by vague rumor, of Russian movements in Central Asia, and the utterancees of the "Golos," to which attention has been drawn in our summary, may, of course, clearly point to the adoption of a policy, or may merely be designed as the cloak of less pacific intentions. Then, again, there are the relations between Russia and China, and the consequences which theso may involve for England. The arrival of a Chinese Embassy at St. Petersburg is, under any circumstances, an interesting event, and its consequences may prove to be much more than interesting. Meanwhile, the settlement of the Berlin Treaty goes on in Europe better than might have been expected, and though the terms on which an occupation of Eastern Roumelia may be effected after tho Russian evacuation are not yet definitely arranged, there is no reason to apprehend that any insuperable difficulty will occur. If we look a little further East than this—to Asia Minor—the condition of things that meets us is not equally hopeful j the Anglo Turkish Convention has as yet done nothing, and it is difficult to eee how, unless we are entirely to change our relations with the Porte, it is to accomplish anything. The moral to be drawn from the correspondence between Lord Salisbury, Sir Henry Layard, and Savfet Pasha is exceedingly simple. The Sultan is only too anxious to execute these reforms which the English Government presses upon him, but in order that he may execute them he pleads for time and money. There are objection, he urges, against the apparent surrender of his own supreme rights, which his acquiescence in such proposals as the appointment of irremovable judges would, in the eyes of many of his subjects, involve ; but this point and others he is perfectly willing to waive. The only thing is, a reasonable period of time must be allowed to elapse in order that the funds necessary for the reforms may be forthcoming. There is, no doubt, much reasonableness in this demand, but days, weeks, and months pass, and nothing is done; the English Government can only protest, and the Sultan can only answer, that haste is to be deprecated, and that his exchequer is empty. This is how the matter stands at the present moment, and the correspondence in question ends with a reiterated protest from Lord Salisbury that the Sultan will delay no longer, but not a word is said as to the limit of time within which the work is to be accomplished, and not a word either as to the manner in which the requisite funds are to be forthcoming. Matters cannot indefinitely continue in this state ; we shall have to define our responsibilities in Asia Minor, and, if these responsibilities are to mean anything, they will involve, directly or indirectly, the expenditure of English capital, and there % is nothing to make one think that such an expenditure, or anything like that step, would be approved of by the English people. Thus our present relations with the Porte in Asia Minor can only be described as those of a state of deadlock.

["Pall Mall Gazette."] THE GLASGOW BANK'S NEW ZEALAND PBOPEBTY. At the trial of the Glasgow Bank directors Mr W. Morrison, accountant of the Bank, gave the following evidence as to the purchase of the New Zealand property, in which he said the total sum invested was £400,000. Ho said he was never present at any of the meetings which took place in regard to the advances to Messrs Nichol, Fleming, and Co., and Messrs, Lines, Wright,, and Co. Mr Morrison was then recalled, and gave further information as to the alterations made in tho balance-sheet, and the manager's private secretary stated that Messrs Smith, Fleming, and Co.'s letters were addressed to the manager, and opened by him personally. ; In further examination, Mr Morrison, being 1 recalled, said, that on April 12th, 1875, the

total indebtedness of Messrs Smith, Fltmiig, and Co. to tho Bank was £1,334,030. The slate of indebtedness at the stoppage was £1,900,000, or thereabouts. The indebtedness of Mr James Morton wan £1,858,204, and his securities £1,018,807- Tho total indebtedne*S of theso firms was about £4 670 000, and the securities against that we're £3,275,000. In regard to Mr Nicol Fleming's account, a security of £IOO,OOO was down as the capital in his Manchester and Calcutta business, but the Bank had no title to that. There was an item of £5814 of British Linen stock, to which the Bank had no title. There was another item of 770,000, which was -100 per cent, premium on the shares of tho New Zealand and Australian Land Company, put down at the fi;,'u:-e to make the account balance. At that time the shares were selling at £62 10'. EMIGBAHTB VOB AUSTRALASIA. In the statistical abstract just published by the Board of Trade, the figures are given of the emigrants from the British Inlands during the last ten years. Hero it is satisfactory to observe that although the emigration to the United Stales has fallen off from 166,730 in 1873 to 54,554 in 1876, the emigrants to Australia and New Zealand show comparatively slight decrease, taking one period with another; and in 1877, 32,196 emigrants wont to those colonies. This change of destination should bo encouraged in every possible way. Our Australasian colonies are altogether our best customers in every respect, in spite of the Protectionist tendencies of some among them. At this time of depression, therefore, the Government and the Agents-General might do worse than distribute short statements of the facts in relation to these colonies among the able-bodied poor. Assisted emigration in a great benefit both to the mother country and the colonies at such a time, and might be carried on, it seems to us, far more systematically than at present. AITSTBIA AND TTJB»EY. Now that the negotiations about the RussoTurkish Convention are over, those with Austria have changed from the fitful irregular wav in which they had been going on since the proposal of the Austrian Government respecting Novi-Bazar into a more regular course. The reception which tho Austrian proposals meet with at the hands of tho Turkish Government, and, above all, the general friendly disposition evinced by the latter towards Austria, augur well for the success of the negotiations. The judicious and conciliatory policy followed by the Prince of Wurtomberg towards the Mahomedan population of Bosnia seems to have greatly contributed towards this feeling of good will on the part of the Porte. The latter has been # convinced that the Mahomedan population is not threatened with oppression or extermination, but that, whatever be the ultimate fate of the province, tho Mahomedans there are quite as much, if not more, secure from any injury under Austrian as under Turkish rule. Great importance being attached in the East to outward forms, the fact that the feast of the Bairam was celebrated in Serajevo with all the military honors of former days has produced quite a new feeling towards Austria in Constantinople, and also among the Mahomedan population of Bulgaria and Roumolia, who must, no doubt, bo struck by the difference between their position and that of their Bosnian brethren.