Beyond The Dominion

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 202, 25 October 1909, Page 3

Beyond The Dominion

KING ALFONSO THREATENED. London, October 20. In the House of Commons today, in reply to a question whether the Government had appealed to Spain for clemency towards Senor Ferrer, executed under court-martial judgment convicting him of directing the Barcelona riots, Sir Edward Grey, Secretary i of State for Foreign Affairs, declared that they would not depart from the rule of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. When the House refused his motion for adjournment, Mr Victor Grayson, Socialist member for the Colne Valley division of Yorkshire, shouted, "Shame, you cowards!" The Ferrer protests in Great Britain are checking the growing cordiality between the Labour Party and the Nationalists. The latter resent the attacks being made upon the Jesuits The Madrid correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" reports that the anarchist element is actively preparing to avenge the execution of Ferrer. * Threatening letters are pouring into the palace, and King Alfonso has abandoned his daily outings. Ministers are escorted by large bodies of detectives on bicycles. Paris, October 20. In the French Senate, M. Pichon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, refused to permit an interpellation regarding Ferrer.

Brussels. October 20. Disorderly scenes arose in the Belgian Chamber owing to Socialists trying to interpellate the Government regarding the execution of Ferrer. NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. London, October 20. The "Financial News" declares that the New Zealand Government's announcement that in future it will not construct railways which are unlikely to pay is an eminently sensible pronouncement and quite characteristic of the new spirit which is apparent in colonial administration generally. BILLIARD RECORD. London, October 20. The Billiard Association of Great Britain and Ireland has granted G. Gray, the Australian boy billiardist, record certificates for his score of 831 off the red and his break of 386, and has awarded him a gold medal.

A BRITISH EXPEDITION. London, October 20. A British expedition, under Mr Walter Goodfellow, the well-known traveller, to Dutch New Guinea, organised to commemorate the jubilee of the Orologists', mountain scientists, Union, stars to-morrow. Dr Eric Marshall accompanies the expedition. SULTAN MULAI HAFID. Paris, October 20. The Sultan's treatment of French traders and the overbearing violence of thechiefs are provoking strained relations between the Governments, and angry comments in the Paris Press. The Spanish are making little progress at Melilla, though the forces have been increased to 50,000. Debates in the Cortes indicate the impending resignation of the Government over the Riff and Barcelona policies. COLONISING ENGLAND. London, October 19. In connection with the Rural Labourers' League's presentation to Mr Jesse Collings, M.P., for his services in the cause of the peasant proprietary, Mr Joseph Chamberlain has written a letter declaring that while tariff reform will prove the salvation of the inhabitants of the towns, the creation of a peasant proprietorship is necessary for agricultural labourers. Indeed, it is the only plan whereby the problems affecting him chiefly can be properly dealt with. Mr Collings writes that instead of shipping overseas cargoes of men and women who form the pith and lustihood of the country, steps should be taken to colonise rural England. This policy is the natural barrier against Socialism, hence the Socialist's determined opposition to land ownership. Since Mr Balfour's Birmingham speech Opposition speakers and newspapers are continually advocating the creation of a large class of proprietors of small holdings by means of land banks or method* similar to those adopted in Ireland. PEARY'S RECORDS. New York, October 21. Commander Peary has submitted proofs of his observations to the National Geographical Society, which has referred them to a committee of experts. AMERICAN MEAT PACKERS. * New York, October 21. General Michael Bayan, president of the American Packers' Association, states that the packers will be obliged to urge the United States Government to abolish the meat duties unless the western cattle raisers reduce their demands. Owing largely to the prices of meat, the American Army Stores Department is asking an appropriation of aquarter of a million sterling to meet the increased cost of rations. Since the estimates were submitted prices have been raised from lOd to Is per man per day.

AERIAL TORPEDO. Berlin, October 21. Krupps are now testing the aerial torpedo invented by Colonel Urge, of the Swedish Army, the patent rights of which they purchased from the inventor early in the year. The Vulcan Shipbuilding Co., at Stettin, which has constructed many warships for the German Navy, is increasing its capital by a quarter of a million sterling. LORD KITCHENER. Melbourne, October 2'2. Lord Kitchener re-ache.- Port Darwin on December 21, v. ]-,< n he boards the cruiser En.coi;:-.'.'-. r, and in.-].oct= Port Darwin. Th'.:r.-'<;ay L-da:.d, ard ether points of de:"<■:-.■.•'■ < voyage south.