NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 44, 30 November 1894, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

HOME AND FOREIGN.

Washington, November 25. The United States fifty million dollar loan, at five per cent., has been subscribed threefold. Two syndicates tendered for the whole of the loan. Shanghai, November 24. _ Telegrams from Chefoo, under Friday date, state that Port Arthur was captured by the Japs on Wednesday afternoon, after a severe engagement, lasting eighteen hours. Shanghai, November 25. The capture of Port Arthur is confirmed. While the torpedo boats in the harbour distracted the attention of the garrison, the latter was attacked by the Japanese. The Chinese fought gallantly, aud as they refused to give up that quarter, the Japs lost heavily. The Japanese attacked Port Arthur early in the morning with a tremendous cannonading. All the forts were captured in succession, and finally the earthworks were carried before midnight. The Japanese losses at the storming of Port Arthur amounted to 250. The Chinese lost one thousand killed and wounded, and two thousand more were taken prisoners. Shanghai, November 26.

The dockyard and arsenal at Port Arthur were, found by the Japanese in complete order. The officers had evidently left in fright, and no attempt was made to destroy anything. The only injury was that some portions of the dockyard had been set on fire by shells.

It is reported that sufficient stores were seized at Port Arthur by the Japanese to have enabled the garrison to stand a two years’ siege. Part of the defending force fled immediately the Japanese entered the forts, and left loaded guns behind them, which they had not attempted to fire.

Tokio, November 26. The Chinese declare that their defeat was the result of treachery. St. Petersburg, November 26.

Czar Nicholas was married to Princess Alix to-day. The ceremony was performed in the Winter Palace, and was of a semi-State character. Sixty members of Royal Families were present. The streets were lined with troops, and 460 delegates presented addresses to the happy couple. Among the guests were the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York. The Czar and his bride are walking about the streets of the capital unguarded. St. Petersburg, November 27.

The Czar has announced his intention to remit dues to the Crown and the arrears of taxes in honour of his marriage. He will restore the birthrights to the Polish rebels of 1863, and directs an inquiry as to the possibility of granting an amnesty to many political prisoners. The police exercised little interference with the crowd, who were allowed to press close to the carriages in the procession. London, November 27.

Counsel for Alan Fergusson (son of an ex-Goveruor) asked for the postponement of his case till Saturday, to permit of an enquiry as to the boy’s mental condition, but the Sheriff refused, and sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment. The Times, commenting on Mr Mackenzie’s motion of want-of-eonfi-dence in the Government in the Victorian Assembly, is urging the sinking of personal ambitions and party strife in the face of the grave financial difficulties which beset the colony at the present moment. Paris, November 27.

The arrival of the French Governor in Madagascar was signalised by murders and outrages on the French residents. The Royal Princesses are preaching a holy war. The French Envoy in Madagascar recommends that the British women and children should leave the country, aud for that purpose he has placed a warship at the disposal of the British authorities. Berlin, November 27. Obituary—Princess Bismarck. Sydney, November 27. A fresh discovery of gold, made in the Caledonia mine, near Tourra, is estimated to yield three hundred ounces to the ton. There is intense heat throughout the colony. Bush fire are raging in every direction. One vast forest fire surrounds Brookong station, while many homesteads and numerous grain crops are in imminent danger. In connection with the decision of the French Government not to send convicts to New Caledonia, the French Consul-General states that the action is taken both in the interests of the group, and for the sake of continuing the friendly relations with Australia. Williams, the driver of the Goulburn train, charged with causing tho recent fatal collision, has been acquitted. The prices at the local wool market, acting in sympathy with the London market, are easier. The fall is more marked for faulty than superior sorts. Some ugly rumours are circulating in respect to the seaworthiness of the cruiser Katoomba, which recently arrived from Hobart, and an enquiry will probably be held." Melbourne, November 27.

Major Umphclby won tho Queen’s Prize wiih a score of 281. This is the highest ever made here, and is within two of the highest fired at Bisley. Another village settlement fiasco is reported. The Esseudon Association took up land near Ballarat against the advice of the Surveyor-General, who considered the soil unsuitable, and the result is that the place is now abandoned.

The Board of Health is importing a quantity of Drs Roux aud Martin’s “ serum.” a recently discovered remedy for dipl t reria.