LATE EUROPEAN NEWS

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1909, 7 April 1880, Page 3

LATE EUROPEAN NEWS

[reuter's special telegrams.] LONDON, February 21. The following are the latest particulars of the recent attempt on the life of the Czar : Shortly after seven on the evening of February 17th, whan the Czar, with the Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Alexander of Bulgaria, was about to repair to the dining room of the Winter Palace, a terrific explosion was heard. The Czar was immediately after informed that the banquetting hall was a wieck, and thatanaccidental delay had saved him and the Imperial family from death. The dinner had been fixed for seven, and the Emperor and the Duchess of Edinburgh were in an adjoining room waiting for Prince Alexander, whose slight breach of punctuality thus saved the Emperor's life. The Empress, who i 3 still very feeble, was asleep in a distant part of tho Palace, and was not disturbed by the explosion. The Emperor, although visibly moved, never lost his self possession, and tho Duchess of Edinburgh displayed wonderful composure. On a search being made it was found that several pounds of dynamite and gun cotton had been placed in the cellars beneath the guard room situated on the ground floor direetly beneath the dining saloon. The explosives were fired by an electric battery from some point without the Palace, yet undiscovered. The cellars were used as joiners' shop 3, and occupied by four workmen, three of whom have been arrested. The fourth man is missing. Many persona in the Palace and immediate vicinity have been arrested. At the moment of the explosion the guard chamber beneath the dining saloon was filled with about 160 men, eight of whom werekilled and forty-five wounded. Such an attempt in the heart of the Winter Palace is considered all the more extraordinary because before the Czar took up his nsual winter residence there, a most minute examination was made in and around the palace in order to prevent a repetition of an attempt similar to that made to blow up tho Imperial train near Moscow. If, therefore, the explosion was really the work of Nihilists, it is thought that they must have direct assistance from persons connected with the Imperial household. Queen Victoria and all the Sovereigns of Europe telegraphed their congratulations to tho Czar on his fortunate escape. All expectations are now abandoned of any announcement of constitutional reform on the occasion of the anniversary of the Emperor's accession to the throne. On the contrary, extreme measures of rigour are expected to be enforced throughout Russia. The Czar is greatly irritated and harra3sed, and is represented as regretting the liberal concessions made during his reign. The explosion of the Winter Palace makes the fifth attempt on the Czar's life within ten months.

The Pope has issued an encyclical letter, in which his Holiness declares that civil marriage is insufficient. He Btrongly condemns divorce, and says that it behoves everybody to know that any union between man and woman apart from the sacrament has neither character nor value as a real marriage. Divorce is declared to be fatal to the prosperity of the family and the people, and a source of moral depravity. Dr. Russell, of Crimean renown, and the special correspondent of the " Daily Telegraph " in the late South African war, has made serious charges of breaches of discipline against several regiments at the Tranßvaal, accusing the men of plundering, drunkenness, general lawlessness, and of being uncentrolluble by their officers. Sir G. Wolseley denied the charges, but subsequently stated that inquiries would be made as soon as possible. The home authorities are determined to sift the matter to the bottom. A blue book has been published containing a despatch to Sir M. Hicks-Beach from Sir Bartle Frere, dated December 11th, in favor of the self-government of Natal, and also the Transvaal when settled and loyal. Colonel Brackenbury succeeds Colonel Colley, private secretary to the Viceroy of India. The Marquis of Lome has recommended the Dominion Parliament to grant 100,000 dollars for the relief of the Irish distress. CAPETOWN, March 14.

In the Transvaal matters have assumed a more settled aspect. The Boers had a committee meeting on March 10th, and decided to adjourn. A monster meeting has been called for April next. On the same day Major Lanyon opened tho new Legislative Council. Several Bills have been read a first time, including one for creating a native hut tax of ten shillings. The Hon. J. G. Sprigg has announced ths introduction during next Session by the Ministry, of a large scheme for railway extension, and a resolution on the subject of confederation. It has transpired that this resolution will take the shape of a conference of fifteen delegates, six from Cape Colony, three each from Ghingal and West Kimberley, Transvaal, and Natal. Sir Bartle Frere will attend the conference.