HOME & FOREIGN CABLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10063, 3 February 1909, Page 1

HOME & FOREIGN CABLES.

[By Electbic Telegkaph.—Copyright.] (Pek Press Association.) Received January 2, at 11.10 p.m. London, February 2. The Times' St. Petersburg correspondent says the Balkan crisis has ended by Russia promising to make good the difference in the indemnity offered and demanded. Russia will cancel sufficient of the remaining seventy instalments of the Turkish war indemnity, amounting to 22 millions, to enable Turkey to borrow five million sterling, Bulgaria, undertaking to pay Russia £3,280,000 for interest and sinking fund. Instead of receiving eight million francs annually fxom Turkey, Russia will draw five million francs from Bulgaria. Earl Roberts, the Duke of Wellington, the Earl of Moat-h, Lords Milner, Lord Curzon, and Lord Raglan, on behalf of the National Kurvice League, propose- that all youths between 18 and 21 years of age should spend four to six months in camp, to be followed by a musketry course and a fortnight's camp for three years. They estimate that the territorials will be increased within four years to 400,000, with 150,000 recruits, and eventually the reserve will be 600,000, at a cost of four millions sterling. Referring to the present Territorial force, they state that it does not provide sufficient men in peace, the training is hopelessly inadequate, and the burden unfair in its incidence. Received February 2, at 11.25 p.ic. London, February 2. While a Trinity House wrecking party were blowing up a submerged barge near Yarmouth the boat was blown to pieces. Six were killed. It is believed that the barge was laden with unknown explosives. The concussion was felt lor several miles around. _ New York, January 2. Mr Goethels. chief engineer of the Panama Canal, informed Mr Taft that ships would pass through the Canal in January 1915. Gibraltar, February 2. The American fleet is at- Gibraltar. There was a brilliant scene in the harbor, where 43 men-of-war of various nationalities were assembled. St. Petersburg, February 2. Russia's scheme is due to the efforts of M. Isvolsky, the Czar's Foreign Minister. It avoids the risk of Bulgaria borrowing on extortionate terms, and hands some control of her finances to a French syndicate. The scheme does not cost Russia a kopeck, and' only extends the time for collection.