Foreign.

Manawatu Herald, 31 December 1895, Page 2

Foreign.

The Turkish troops defeated the Druses at Swedich on Saturday. Iv is officially stated that the Druses lost 12,000 and the Turks several hundreds* Sir Philip Currie, British Ambassador, has vigorously demanded the recall of the Governor of Mush for inciting the Moslems to massacre the Armenians in the Van district. The Embassies endeavoured to prevent the massacre at Zeitoun, which it is alleged had been plotted by the Palace Party. Izzet Bey, the Sultan's equerry, has been arrested, owing to his insisting on reforms being carried out. The Turks have captured Zeitoun, and the Armenians have fled to the mountains. Placards are posted over the town affirming the immediate deposition of the Sultan. Izzet Bey is being tried by courtmartial. The Turks chased the Armenians to the mountains in Zeitoun, killing 2500. Many of the pursued escaped by an unguarded pass towards Aleppo. It is reported that Russia is willing to occupy Anatolia if three Powers, including Great Britain, request it. The New York Stock Exchange is calmer and all securities are advancing. President Cleveland is stated to be preparing for the ibbuq of 100,000,---000 dollars' worth of gold bonds. The New York World states that several English bishops have cabled messages of peace. The pulpit utterances in many American churches have condemned the extension of the Monroe Doctrine. At numerous public meetings resolutions have been passed urging that the Venezuela dispute be referred to arbitration. It is reported that the Committee of Ways and Means, with the view of increasing the revenue to the extent of 50,000,000 dollars, proposes to pass a Bill through Congress imposing until August, 1891, a duty equivalent to 60 per cent of the low rates of the McKinley tariff on wool and woollens, increasing by 25 per cent the duty on cereala, breadstuffs. dairy produce and live stock, and increasing by 15 per cent the duty on other items mentioned in the schedules. A second Bill provides for the unlimited issue of 3 per cent coin bonds, which will be devoted to redeeming the currency. The New York World deolares that Mr Cleveland planned his present move fully six months ago. The Message then framed was more monstrous than the one recently delivered, and really amounted to a crime on the people of the country. The friends of Mr Cleveland report that the President feared that Congress would declare war ( on the production of the Venezuelan papers, and it was for this reason that he demanded the Commission, hoping to appoint to it men who would report favourably as to the British demands. In America the speech of the Prince of Wales, at York, in reference to the crisis, is recognised as a real public service. A report that Lord Salisbury approved of the utterance of His Royal Highness has produced a deep impression.

Phelps and Lincoln to join the Commißiion. Western members are violently opposed to the bond issue. I President Cleveland will probably L issue a third Message, insisting that f the currency reforms proposed by Congress are inadequate. The financial crisis overwhelms — the Jingoistic feeling. • It is understood that the President and bis advisers are strongly opposed to the Bond Bill. Mr Carlisle, Secretary to the Treasury, informed the Committee of Ways and Means that the conof the Treasury is serious, hand that it is necessary that Congress Heball declare that all obligations be paid in gold, but the committee refused to consider this proposal. Senator Hill suggested the issue of gold and silver bonds at the option of the Treasury. The House of Representatives passed the Bond Bill, including the issue of debt certificates, and then adjourned until January 6. The Senate will on Tuesday next discuss the tariff proposals in committee. Venezuela is appealing to kindred States for help in the event of an outbreak of war. The New York press states that it is useless for the Republic to hope for any assistance. News has been received that Marshal Campos was overtaken and surrounded by tho Cuban rebels at Matanzas. Desperate fighting ensued, the rebelß losing 700 men. Dr Marmorick of the Pasteur Institute, has discovered a serum remedy for erysipelas and puerperal fever. Serious friction exists in the Transvaal owing to the Nitlanders organising a programme for equal rights with the Boers. The National Union had formulated a programme demanding a true republic with a settled constitution, equitable franchise, and the equality of the Dutch and the British. Many prominent Nitlanders are ) endeavouring to restrain the Union leaders. President Kruger ia quietly preparing to resist any trouble, and Maxim guns have been imported, while a quarter of a million sterling has been expended on the forts at Pretoria and Johannesburg.