To-day’s News.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XVII, Issue 1849, 8 March 1898, Page 5

To-day’s News.

LONDON, March 6 The Continental newspapers are discussing Russia’s infringements of international treaties by her action in sending warships belonging to her regular navy through the Dardanelles by night. Standard states that the German negotiations with Chinese Govt for railway concession in the Shantung Peninsula have been completed, and terms of agreement will shortly be published. In the Commons, Curzon said the Powers would endeavour to compel Turkey to evacuate Thessaly a month after Greek war indemnity loan hud been issued. London County Council elections resulted in return of 68 Progressive and 48 Moderate candidates, showing Progressive gain of 16. Chiefly as outcome of support of working classes on both sides, voting was heavier than at last election. Earl Carrington, formerly Governor of N. S. Wales, re-elected to seat in Council. Reports from Akassa, at Nun month of Niger, state that force collected by W. Wallace, Agent-General for Royal Niger Company, will assist Sultan of Sokoto in event of incursion by French expeditions. These have reached Lokoja, and are advancing towards Sokoto. Should Fiench expeditions refuse to re-cross the Niger Wallace’s force will assist the Sultan in repelling i them.

There is great rejoicing in Italy in connection with the celebration of the jubilee foundation of the Constitution. I Russia is already excluding British ships from the coasting trade between j Russian ports, and has also notified that she intends to exclude them from the ocean trade between Black Sea and j the Far East. As the result of recommendations i contained in the West Indian Sugar Commission’s report, British Govt has granted £120,000 for improvement of the sugar industry in West Indies. BERLIN, March 6 Budget Committee of the Reichstag has decided that the naval programme be completed within 6 instead of 7 years, VIENNA, March 5 Reichsrath reopens 21st March. New ordinance dealing with official use of Czech and German languages i has been issued. It is considered doubtful whether reforms contained therein will give satisfaction to the contending parties, between whom racial feeling has for long time been much strained. Baron Gautech, Premier of Austria (as distinguished from AustriaHungary), has resigned. Count Hohenstein is forming new Cabinet. OTTAWA, March 5 In connection with the recently arranged Behring Sea seal fisheries international agreement, Russia has paid Canada 40,000d015. compensation for the seizure of a sealing schooner. PRETORIA, March 5 Dr. Leyds, State Secretary for Transvaal, speaking in the Volksraad in delence of the foreign consular grant of £17,500, said it was necessary

to secure a good diplomatic wrce in proof of Transvaal’s independence, not suzerainty. Ko'ze, recently dismissed from the Chief Justiceship of Transvaal for repudiating the agreement not to test the laws on resolutions of the Volksraad, states he intends shortly to issue a pro'est against his dismissal on the ground that it was contrary to the 1881 Convention with Britain. He says the suzerain Power will see that protection is afforded with regard to capital and personal rights, which is impossible with a subservient Bench.

CAPETOWN, March 6 High Commissioner of South Africa, speaking at Capetown, deprecated Transvaal’s suspicion of Britain. He said that a retrograde administration was responsible for the recent unrest in Transvaal, and appealed to the Dutch to influence Govt, to assimilate Transvaal institutions to those of neighbouring States. CAIRO, March 5

Three British battalions have reached Atbara River, great eastern branch of the Nile, where Sir H. Kitchener has 14,000 Anglo-Egyptian troops under command.

Important archaeological discoveries been made in a necropolis at Abydos, in Upper Egypt, including 3 tombs which purport to be those of three kings of the fabled original dynasty of gods, viz., Osiris, Set, and Horus, and must date anterior to known ancient history of country, which is down by some authorities as far back as 5000 B.C. WASHINGTON, March 5 Olney, who was Secretary of State in Cleveland’s Ministry, lecturing at Havard College, said near future would see closer friendship between Britain and United States, and it would prove a power for good to al [ mankind.