SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 36, 11 February 1881, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

GREAT BRITAIN. In the Queen's speech^ Her Majesty says trade is gradually improving, and an abundant harvest has greatly decreased distress in Ireland, but " I grieve lo state that the social condition of Ireland has assumed an alarming character, and agrarian primes in .genera! have multiplied. Attempts upon life have not grown in the same proportion us some offences, but I must add that efforts arc being made for personal protection far beyond all former precedent by the police, under direction of the Executive. I have to notice other evils yet more widely spread. The administration of justice has been treated with disrespect in regard to these offences, through the impossibilily of procuring evidence ; and an extended system of terror has thus been established iv various parts of the country, which has paralysed almost; alike the exercise of private rights and the performance of civil duties. This state of tilings is new in some important respects and hence with a little available guidance from former precedents, I have deemed it tight to .put in use the ordinary powers of tiiu law before making any further demand ; bxit a demonstration of their insufficiency, amply supplied by the present circumstances of the country, leads me now to apprise you that proposals will be immediately submitted to you for entrusting me with additional powers necessary, in my judgment, not only for the vindication of order and public law, but likewise to secure, 011 behalf of my subjects, protection for life and properly and personal liberty for action. I object to primary and imperious obligations, to which I have just referred^ and 1 continue to desire, not loss than heretofore, to pfosecutc the remc.y.il of grievances, and the work of legislative im • provemenfc in Ireland as well as iv Great Britain. The Irish Land Act, of 1870, has been productive of great benefits, and has much contributed to the security and comparative well - being of occupiers of the soilj without diminishing its value or disturbing the foundation of property. In some respects, however, and more particularly under the strain of recent and more calamitous years, that protects n which it supplied has not been found sufficient, either in Ulster or in other provinces. I recommend you to undertake further developments of its principles, in a manner conformable to the special wants of Ireland, as regards the relation of landlords and tenants, and with a view to effective efforts for giving to a large portion of the people, by purchase, a permanent proprietary interest in the soil. This legislation will require the removal, for the purposes in view, of all obstacles arising out of limitations or ownerships of property, with due provision for security of interests involved. A measure will be submitted to you for establishment of a county government in Ireland, founded upon representative principles, and framed with the double aim of abridging unpopular control over expenditures, and of supplying a yet more serious want of extending the formation of the habits of local self-government." Her Majesty alluded to the different matters of English domfestic policy, which will be laid before Parliament, and concluded with a benediction on, and commendation of, her people to Divine care. A despatch of the 18th inst. says the Parnellites had an open rupture in the House ol Commons the night before the debate, od Justin Macarthy, in a bitter speech, accusing the Irish members of delaying remedial mea Knrea. Parnell answered. chargi n 6 Glailstunc with misrepresenting the Irish members He said he believed the Irish people would justify the shedding of their blood to secure liberty, if they saw a chance of success. Ilr denied having encouraged armed insurrection, because England was too strong, but said the Government could not suppress the Line 1 League, because, if the leaders were imprisoned, the people would organise secrei soc ietiea, and murder and outrage would be increased tenfold. If the Habeas Corpu,Act was suspended, the arrest of the firM man would be the signal for a general refusal to pay renta. Another despatch of the above date say*the following is an outline of the Goverument Irish Land Bill, which may, however, undergo modification before its prescntatioi to Parliament : — Surplus funds of Irish Church will be devoted— first, to reclamation of waste lands ; second, to assist emigration from over-crow v ded districts ; thirdly, according to a carefully-drawn up scheme, to assist irrigation. The measure will also include the " three Fs," guarded by restrictive provisions necessary for the practical work ing of the measure. Wii h respect to the Coercion Bill, it is stat( d the Government contemplates the creation of a commission of two judges with power, in certain cases, to supersede the ordinary ■ judicial tribunal. A general Disarmament Act will also be passed. Mrs Cross (George Eliot), the great authoress, died in London on December 22. Her death was almost painless. On the preI vious Sunday she was seized with a sudden chill, which attacked the larynx. The attack, however, did not cause much alarm until the evening, a few hours before she died, when her case was found to be hopeless. Hei remains were buried in Ilighgate Cemetery on Decpmber 28. The Post Office Department is now ready to establish a telephone service throughout England, and has ordered 200,000 for use. Gale, the pedestrian,^ broke down on December 28, having covered 2233 miles out of his proposed feat of 2500 miles in 1800 hours. At the beginning he walked a mile and a quarter every half-hour. The gross revenue of the United Kingdom for 1880 was £83,210,390. The French Government ia gradually effecting a complete separation of the Church and State. The prosperity of France is at present extraordinary, and is still increasing. One hnndred and twenty million francs in the shape of taxes have been abolished this year. The Hon. W. Gladstone has received a memorial signed by nearly 70 landlords, lieutenants, deputy-lieutenantp, chairmen of quarter sessions, clerks of the peace, and magistrates declaring themselves unable to cope with the lawlessness aud intimidation existing, and urgently demanding attention of the Government to the subject. Parnell and his companions are loudly cheered every day on entering and leaviDg Court. At a meeting of the Irish parliamentary party between thirty and forty were present, and elected Parnell as their leader. They resolved that the Irish members should always sit on the Opposition side of the House, and that the party should resist individually and collectively by all means any attempt at coercion , also, that an amendment to the Address should bo moved I praying the Queen fo refrain from enforcing ejectments in Ireland wherever the rent exceeds the Griffith's valuation, pending consideration by Parliament of amended land law. Immediately the judges took their seats for the trial of the Land Leoguers, Chief Justice May announced that he would take no part in the proceedings on account of misconception of his remarks made three weeks previously. Also, when application was being made for postponement, the Chief Justice had refused the request iv language which gave rise tomuch hostile comment prejudicial to the case against defendants. The Chief Justice denied he had any such intention, but nevertheless thought the ends of justice would be best served if he withdrew. His place was, therefore, taken by Justice Fitzgerald. The Attorney-General, in his opening speech for the prosecution, sought to show the responsibility of the accused for the murders, outrages, and lawlessness prevalent since the rise of the Land League. He urged the jury to do their duty fearlessly and give a verdict that would satisfy the country. The withdrawal of Judge May created an

unfortunate impression that the chances of convictions were materially diminished. The trial excited little interest the public mind being absorbed in more pressing anxieties caused by the triumphant lawlessness pr • vailing under the instigation of the Land League. TURKEY. The old English banking firm of Hansen and Co , Constantinople, has failed; liabilities !,250,000d015. Heavy advances to the Porte caused their suspension. The Albanian League haß summoned all males over 18 years lo arms in every northern district in Albania. The Albanians demand Dulcigno, and if Montenegro docs not give it up they propose to declare war. The financial administration of Government is entirely in the hands of military men, and all available resources of the country are devoted to warlike preparations. JAPAN. Sixty-four lives have been lost by the burning of a Japanese steamer ia an inland sea, on December 11. INDIA. AbM'rabman, Ameer of Afghanistan, is reported as being still doubtful if he can maintain his position without tbe aid of British troops. Ktihn Avra, who surreuded at Berot, was reecently put to death. CHINA. Two steamers coilicted in the Shanghai River, and a great number of Chinese were drowned. Tbe Government 13 ranking desperate efforts to be prepared for the worst in the event of further complications with Russia Both parties of the Empire are united in opinion 1 as to tbe advisibility of being prepared to resist Russia's demands by force if pushed beyond the bounds of equity. Four new steamers, ordered by Chinese merchants for service between China and San Francisco, will be rendy next July, and in August a weekly line will be established between China and the United States. The Emperor has authorised the construction of 1200 miles of telegraphic lino in the province of Tientsin. TRANSVAAL. The insurgent governing committee have issued a proclamation defending their action, and offering pardon to all opponents. They agree to retain the present officials, to admit British counsel, and to indemnify Gr'at Britain for expenditure in Transvaal. The Boers lost 100 killed and wounded before Potchesfstroom, which was defeuded for forty-eight hours by Major Clark and twentyfive men, who were compelled at lust to surrender. The Cape authorities, at last accounts, were rapidly concentrating all their available forces on the Transvaal. All the colonial forces are in the Basuto country. Brand, the President of the Orange Free State, is reported to have said that the Boers under his circumspection wanted to join the friendly Boers, but no confirmation of the rumcr has been received.