NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 144, 14 December 1911, Page 8

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

GREAT TRUST BATTLE. AMERICAN ATTACK ON THE STEEL MAGNATES. New York, October 26. The Government to-day entered on its greatest battle against American trusts by filing a suit in the Federal Circuit Court at Trenton, New Jersey, for the dissolution of the billion dollar Steel j Trust. | It is alleged that the steel corporation I is a combination in restraint of trade and destructive of competition. The case is expected to be fought with great bitterness, as the Morgan millions are behind the Steel Trust. NINE DAYS TO THE RAND. FRENCH PROPOSAL TO LINK UP THE AFRICAN RAILWAYS.

Paris, October 26. A long article appears in. to-day's Matin outlining proposals for a Transcontinental railway from Algiers to the Cape. Though the scheme, has not taken definite shape, it is receiving Government consideration. Beginning at Algiers or Oran, the line would run by way of Lake Chad, through Belgian territory to Katanga, where it would join the British railway, which, the article points out, already extends nearly 2000 miles from the Cape.

A branch line would run westward to the Niger Coast, and another running eastward from Zemio, in the French Congo, would join the Uganda line, and thus connect the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. The total length of the line from Algiers to the Cape would 'be less than 7000 miles, and of this only about half remains to be constructed. In addition to the 2000 miles of British railway, Belgium has already constructed 350 miles in the Congo, and France about 400 miles in Algeria. When the line was completed it would be possible to go from London to Johannesburg, via Calais and Marseilles, in nine days. French opinion is that the proposed line would be more profitable, and would present fewer difficulties in construction, than an all-British route from the Cape to Cairo. AGED EMPEROR'S HEALTH. COLD TAKEN WHILE BEING CIXEMATOGRAPHED. Vienna, October 25. The Emperor Francis Joseph remains indoors to-day at Schoenbrunn owing to his indisposition.

It is stated that his cold is confined to the head, and that so far he is free from bronchitis, from which he suffers severe- *• . . i His illness is therefore not regarded as giving cause for alarm, though some anxiety is felt owing to his Majesty's age, which is 81. The Emperor slept well last night, and rose this morning at 5 o'clock as usual, afterwards receiving a number of official reports. He caught his cold at the wed- ( ding at Schwarzau on Saturday, when he stood bareheaded while the wedding party was being cinematographed. LORD KITCHENER'S RULE. CONFIDENCE INSPIRED BY NEW REGIME IN EGYPT. Cairo, October 17. The arrival of Lord Kitchener in Egypt is .bringing about a notable change both in British administration and in the attitude of the people toward British rule. The higher classes of the Egyptians are trying to arrive at a better understanding with the British authorities, and this movement is gaining ground. While the Khedive still remains at Alexandria, the Khedive's Ministers are here in Cairo attending on Lord Kitchener. The Prime Minister makes daily reports to Lord Kitchener, and is guided by the British Agent's decision. Lord Kitchener is inspiring new confidence in the future of the country. He is respected by all parties, even by the Nationalists, and he is producing an excellent impression on the native mind generally. Egypt is returning to the era of Lord Cromer, when the British representative was the actual ruling power.

QUITE MODERN. THE KAISER AS A TRADESMAN.

Berlin, October 23. The Emperor William, in addition to his many-sided attributes as monarch, statesman, soldier, art critic, agriculturalist, and philosopher, is a keen business man, and his Cadinen porcelain factory does a large trade in the finest china and earthenware work.

Recently Kempinski's restaurant destmirant decided to make a feature in one apartment of decorative tile work, and placed a very large order for high-class tiles with the imperial factory at Cadinen.

The Emperor was so pleased with this stroke of business that he has declared his intention of paying a personal visit to Kempinski's and convincing himself by inspection that his customer has every reason to be satisfied with the goods.