Foreign.

Manawatu Herald, 12 January 1897, Page 2

Foreign.

The Embassies of the Powers, who are considering fresh proposals with reference to reforms in Turkey, have drawn up certain recommendations with reference to the amelioration of the condition of Moslem and Christian subjects of the Sultan. They express reluctance to the employment of , coeroion in the enforcement of their demands, but at the same time they advise goner* ous reforms as far as the Moslems and Christians are concerned. The Embaßiies express a hope that the Moslems will bring pressure to bear on the Sultan to concede the reforms. The colonial party in France are urging the Government to re-pcoupy Shiek Said, in the Gulf of Aden. Gaidaia, the Paris journal, states that the relations between France and Siam are strained, and that the French Cabinet is devoting serious attention* to the matter. The French naval and military authorities are arranging imposing manoeuvres off Dunkirk and Calais. | The fleet will co-operate with the land forces in the display. , News from the Philippine Islands | shows that the rebel force numbers 50,000 men, bu? is indifferently armed. Some 10,000 have Manser rifles, but the rest only bamboo lances and bowie knives. The Go* vernment forces are estimated at 18,000, but reinforcements are expected to the extent of 20,000 men. Four British warships and vessels of other European Powers are at Manila watching the interests of their respective countries. Since the outbreak of the bubonic plague at Bombay, 825,000 have left their homes and fled from the oity. DrNanaen, the physician in charge of the native hospital at Bombay, has fallen a victim to the disease. From Bombay, the plague has spread to Kurrachee, the oapital of a large seaport and manufacturing centre, situated on a small bay to the wast of the Indus river. The ravages have been so severe that many of the manufactories have been closed. In the course of an interview, Baron De Couroel, the French Minister to England who recently resigned, said that all the minor disputes between France and Great Britain had been settled, and the difficulties with regard to Madagascar and Tunis had been virtually arranged. Britain's policy in Egypt, however, was too masterful. Although he was of opinion that she might recognise the special interests of France, a return to joint control he considered was impossible. Affairs as regards Crete are not in a very satisfactory state. Constant friction exists between the Porte and Embassies of the Powers over the

question of the appointment of gendarmes. The Forte persists that only Turks should be appointed to these positions. General Weyler, commanding the Spanish forces in Cuba, has issued instructions that imported medicines are to be treated as contraband of war.