Beyond The Dominion

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 216, 13 December 1909, Page 3

Beyond The Dominion

GASOMETER EXPLOSION. Berlin, December 8. A partly finished gasometer at Freiport, Hamburg, exploded yesterday. The flames spread to another gasometer, the largest in the world, having a capacity of 200,000 cubic metres, and containing 40,000 metres of gas, causing it to explode also. A huge sheet of fiair.e shot out from the base of the gasometer, killing everyone in its path. A number of bodies were subsequently foun'l, and there are still several persons missing, the total loss of life being 17. The gasworks, which cost 11,000,000 marks (nearly £700,000) are in ruins.

I PEARY'S TOUR. [ New York, December 8. The proofs which Commander Peary submitted to the American National Geographical Society having been accepted, the explorer has now commenced his lecturing tour. ! An audience of ten thousand was present at his first lecture, which was delivered in New York. AEROPLANES AND DIRIGIBLES. Paris, December 8. The trench manoeuvres show the unIrustworthiness of dirigibles in war time, having to ascend so high beyond '• the range of projectiles that is is imi posslible for them to distinguish acJ curately. Moreover, aeroplanes have proved to be superior for manoeuvring, and are able to carry maxims to destroy dirig- [ ibles.

The military Aviation School at Nice is developing aeroplanes and projectiles against dirigibles.

AFGHAN RUNNERS. Teheran, December 8.

British Gunboats in the Persian Gulf have captured three dhows engaged in gun-runninlg. A total oi 2800 rifles aud 160,000 cartridges were seized.

RUSSIAN FORTIFICATIONS, St. Petersburg, December 8. The Czitr has sanctioned a scheme for the fortification of the Finnish coast and the transformation of Revel into a naval fortress.

PHOENIX INSURANCE COMPANY. New York, December 9.

George Sheldon, ex-President of the Phoenix Insurance Company, of New York, has been indicted for appropriating a million dollars of the company's funds, He has not been arrested because he is critically ill. A cable published yesterday stated that the Phoenix Insurance Company of New York is writing off £200,000, which, it is alleged, Sheldon .illegally used for his own speculations. BRITAIN AND GERMANY. Berlin, December 9. The negotiations for the continuance of the provisional comercial agreement between Great Britain and Germany have been successful. The bill prolonging until 1911 the arrangment which gives Great Britain the benefit of most favoured nation treatment has been read a third time in the Reichstag. THE LOST WARATAH. London, December 9. Lloyd's have decided to post the Waratah for inquiry, and unleis information is forthcoming earlier, she will be posted as missing from the 15th. The underwriters will setltc claims on the 22nd inst. COAL FROM INDIA. London, Decebmer 9.

The "Daily Mail's Calcutta correspondent says that if the Australian strike continues there are prospects of numerous orders for Bengal coal. Fifty thousand tons have already been booked in Calcutta for Australia. If the unloading is safely effected many other cargoes will be dispatched. AIRFLEET WANTED. London, Decebmer 9. Lord Roberts, speaking at the United Service Institute last night, said that Britain could no't afford to be behindhand in the matter of airships and aeroplanes, which, he firmly believed, would be great features in the next war.

"We must make our own machines," be said, "and train our own aeronauts. Englishmen arc brave and confident because they know nothing of what is going on, and are'content to remain apathetic because they will not believe that anything can happen to them. The valour of ignorance prevades the whole country."