Foreign.

Manawatu Herald, 20 June 1893, Page 2

Foreign.

The Appeal Court has annulled the verdict against the men convicted of corruption in connection with the Panama Canal Company, on the ground of lapse of time, and all the prisoners have been released. The Court of Cassation has annulled the Judgment on Charles de Lssseps, Fontaine and Eiffel for fraudulent practices. The first has been released, but the two others will have to complete their sentences for corruption. It is expected that Charles and Ferdinand de Lesseps and Cottu will shortly be pardoned. At the elections Herr Liebknecht, the well-known Socialist leader, was elected for Berlin by immense majorities. The second ballot, however, is necessary. Though the Socialists polled 20,000 in Berlin and 90,000 in the other electorates, not 10 per cent of the votes were recorded for supporters of the Army Bill. Three Socialists were elected for Hamburg. The party also secured five seats in th? provinces, and has the best of prospects in many other electorates. In a large numer of instances second ballots will have to be taken. There was no disorder during the day. 1 wing to the drought and want of forage, French farmers are sacrificing and killing cattle. The Government favours a special credit to enable the Minister for War to have potted meats made to a large extent from French oxen. The import duties on forage have been suspended for three months. The German elections so far are remarkable for the success of the Socialists, which is held to indicate the opposition of the people to the Army Bill. News has been received that a French escort, while conducting a Siamese mandarin prisoner across the Mekong River, was massacred by the Siamese, at the instance of the mandarin. The French press demands that a punative expedition shall be despatched at once.