Condensed Cables.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 251, 15 December 1903, Page 4

Condensed Cables.

Herr Bebel, Socialist, in the German Reichstag, accused Count von Bulow of crawling on his belly before Russia, wihicit was really a barbarous state. He declared thait Russia was aware for months of the plan of the Belgrade regicides, yet did not move a fiinger. Bulow replied that he intended to carefully cultivate friendly relations with Russia.

Owing to a shortage of water and pulp, but chiefly to demonstrate against unionists, the St. Regis, Grijit Northern, Internatwna,, and many other paper mills have closed. America is reducing her production by 15,000 totns weekly, ja-nd 15,000 men in New England and New York are idle. The Belfast Chamber of Commerce discussed a resolution deploring t'he principles of British trade, which were a mere system of free imports, deploring the diminution of exports, due to hostile tariffs, and deciding to awake sympathetic interest in Mr Chamberlain's proposals. An amendment favouring a Royal Commission prior to making a fiscal change was overwhelmingly rejected, and anothi er endorsing Mr Balfour's policy was adopted by 65 to 25.

The Russian Government is contemplating codifying the laws relating to the Jews, and has invited the opinions of the Governors of various districts. The majority are unfavourable, some urging their complete expulsion from Russia. Prince UruKofT, Governor of Bessarabia, advised the abrogation of all exceptional laws against the Jews. Mr Arthur Moseley (who headed the commission which enquired into labour conditions in the United States) being unable to attend a meeting at Fulham, wrote : "I feel that unless Mr Chamberlain's policy is adopted we will soon lose the colonies, and become a mere third-rate power in the eyes of all Hie other Powers." Presiding at the Imperial Industries Club, the Queensland AgentGeneral said the colonies wanted a commercial partnership with the Motherland in order to maintain the Empire. From a colonial standpoint we were now at the parting of the ways.

The Tasananiajn Council rejected the Electoral Bill, providing for grouped electorates and the Hare system of voting.

In the Victorian House of Assembly, wihilc the Redistribution Bill was in its third reading, the Opposition, after charging a Minister with laivouritism to 'his own supporters, lelt the House in a body as a protest.