BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2793, 7 March 1882, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[RkUTBR’S A GENOV. J Persecution of the Jews in RussiaLondon, March 4. A debate took place in the House of Commons last night on the subject of the Jewish atrocities in Russia under a motion introduced by Baron De Worms, the *’Conservative member for Greenwich, who demanded that the English Government Should remonstrate with Russia against the persecution of the JeWish race in that country. Mr Gladstone opposed the motion, stating that any action on the part of England, beyond 1 mere friendly counsel to the Russian Government, could have no good effect, but would on the contrary only tend to do harm to the cause of the oppressed Jews, The “discussion lasted some time, and the motion was finally withdrawn. . ; Balloonists'in Peril* An attempt was made yesterday by Mr Simons and Colonel Brine to cross the English Channel in a balloon. ■ Wheu they had got some distance out to sea the balloon descended, and after floating for some time it and its occupants were picked'up by a passing vessel and brought to Dover. Skoheloff’s SpeechA statement which was recently current to the effect that Prince Bismarck had demanded of the Russian Government an explanation of the speech of General Skobeloff to .Servian students in Paris, is now authoritatively denied. Wool Market. At the wool auction to-day 10,600 bales were offered, and the tone of the market was firm. Attempted Assassination of Her MajestyMarch 6. Thanksgivings were offered up in all Churches throughout the United Kingdom yesterday for the providential escape of the Queen from the attempt on her life. loyal addresses to Her Majesty on the occasion will be moved to-day in both Houses of Parliament.

Overflow of the MississippiWashington, March 6. Most disastrous floods have occurred in Arkansas and adjoining States and in the States in the south owing to the overflow of the Mississippi and its tributaries. An enormous extent of country is flooded, and thousands of homes have been devastated and great loss of life and stock has resulted. It is estimated that fully 50,000 persons have been rendered destitute, and that in the State of Arkansas alone 20,000 head of cattle have been drowned. The Chinese Question in America-

The United States Senate are now discussing a tiill for the total exclusion of Chinese from America.