Foreign.

Manawatu Herald, 25 January 1896, Page 2

Foreign.

President Cleveland and Mr Olney both strongly desire an early and complete settlement of the Venezuela dispute on term 3 that will not involve the discredit of either the British or the United States Government, and without waiting for the report of the Commission which was recently set up. The United States Cabinet would gladly avoid the risk of suspending friendly relations between the two nations, and it is suggested that England should again make an offer to arbitrate as to the Schomburgk line, or negotiate directly with Venezuela for the settlement of the dispute. It is expected that Mr Davis 1 ■ motion with regard to the sovereign rights of America over the Isthmus of Panama will be abandoned, as j Senators who promised to vote for it I

have now withdrawn their support. The French Government is equipping a reserve squadron at Toulon for the purpose of strengthening the Channel Fleet. The work of blasting the Iron Gates on the River Danube will be completed by September next, when the largest vessels will be able to reach Vienna from the Black S^a. The Emperor declares that if the Reichstag will not agree to increase the navy he will appeal to the patriotism of the electors. His proposal is to spend from 5 to 20 millions sterling. Prince Hohenlohe, the Chancellor, is hostile to the expenditure, and it is likely that he will resign. The Sultan appears greatly displeased at Queen Victoria's letter insisting on reforms in Armenia. The Russian Embassy is also greatly concerned at the determined attitude now displayed by Great Britain in connection with this matter.