SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Southland Times, Issue 1629, 6 September 1872, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

London, July 25. The arbitration tribunal at Geneva has been lengthily discussing the principles of England's responsibility in the Alabama case. Lord Tenterden denies England's responsibility. The tribunal sits daily, Saturdays and Sundays excepted, and its deliberations are kept secret. It is believed that the session will continue for two months. Mr Gladstone has announced in the House of Commons that the Government will abandon the minor bills which it had brought forward. The House of Lords has accepted the Ballot Bill up to the year 1880, and the Royal assent has been given to the bill. Geneva, July 27. An interruption in the sitting of the Arbitration Commission has arisen, necessitating reconsideration of the English laws. It is certain that England did her utmost to prevent the armament of privateers. Of four cases England denies three ; regarding the fourth, she says that proper instructions were given at the time, but the orders were not executed immediately, and the Alabama consequently escaped out of English waters. It is asserted that the arbitrators will fix the amount of damages in the case of the Alabama at seven million dollars, and in that of the Florida at three million dollars. The sittings of the tribunal, it is believed, will continue two months longer. London, July 29. A second letter from Dr Livingstone to Mr Bennett has been published, detailing his discoveries and the horrors he has witnessed in connection with the East African slave trade. Mr Oswald Livingstone has written to the papers exonerating Dr Kirk from the charges of inattention to Dr Livingstone which had been brought against him. The arbitrators at Geneva will not

nish their investigations before- Noember next. An unforeseen difficulty has arisen, which consists in England refusing to admit the responsibility of neutrals, and affirming that she has maintained the neutral laws. Mr Gladstone has, however, stated at a Ministerial dinner given at the Mansion House, on the 24th July, that the American controversy was practically i settled. ! The hop crop, it is feared, will yield a. bad return. [ Rear- Admiral Hillyer succeeds to the command of the Pacific station. The late Mr Wentworth's will has been proved uuder £70,000. The price of Australian pearls at sales ruled in favor of sellers.