NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 136, 12 April 1879, Page 2

NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

TERRIBLE FLOODS. A great calamity has befallen Hungary. Owing to heavy rain and snow about the sources of the Theiss and Maros rivers, an overflow took place, submerging the city of Szegedin, built at their confluence, and also many other populous' towns and villages. The final catastrophe was anticipated for some days, but on the 10th it became cerhvin. Three dams protecting Szogedin from an overflow of the Theiss burst. Five thousand men worked at the remaining dyke ; martial law was proclaimed, and everyone was summoned to work, under pain of death. When night set in at Szegedin on the 10th of March the weather was very stormy. The water fo-ced its way under the embankment, and at nighl it wanted a very few inches-' to break over. Refugees from the flooded country flocked into,the town, increasing the horror of the situation. The neighboring village of Honozema, containing 400 houses, was totally destroyed, the inhabitants taking refuge on the hills. After another fearful night the water broke through with immense force on the 11th, carrying away part of the railway station, the embankment, and rolling stock. In three hours the town was many feet deep under water. Terrible sufferings commenced. Shrieks and cries from thousands went up, while houses went crashing into the floods by scores, in many cases carrying their inmates with them. Boats kept going to the relief of some of the large houses which were full of people, but generally these also went with a fearful crash, carrying with them their whole living freight. The scene was simply heart-rending. Eighty thousand people are not ouw of house and home. The large dykes protecting the back of the town having given way, for a time the embankment of the railway checked the flood, but it finally succumbed despite every effort to strengthen it. During the following day the scene defied description. The flood, with terrific force, rushed from two sides over Szegedin, and the town is, in fact, destroyed. Tw l manufactories took fire, the inhabitants flying from Szegedin to the more elevated parts of the town. An offii-ial telegram confirms the report of the terrihle aspect presented by the destruction of hundreds of houses. It states that the removal of the inhabitants is proceeding without disorder. Drains are being cut in several places to allow the water to run oil The Municipality of Pesth are making every .ejfort to send assistance to ana accommodation for the fugitives, is being provided in the barracks and pifblic buildings at Pesth. One hundred square-miles around Szegedin was flooded. Pesth, March 14 [ The Government Commissioner at Szegedin reports that he ro -'ed through the submerged streets, and found threequarters of them in ruins. If the water remains a few days longer, scarcely 200 houses will be loft standing. The Burgomaster estimates that several thousand persons have been drowned. He attributes the disaster to the indolsnce of the inhabitants, and to the fact that the Government Commissioners exerted all their efforts in strengthening dams, and not in preparing for saving life. The Emperor Francis Joseph will forego his visit to Pesth to received congratulations on the occasion of his silver Wedding. He desires that the money intended for the festivities should be distributed amongst the sufferers by the flood. The Emperor and Empress also c-ive 40,000 florins from their private i

purses. London, March 15. The Lor.l Mayor of London, at the request of the Austrian Embassador opened a subscription for the relief of the sufferers at Szegedin. A correspondent a'. Szegedin telegraphs on Thursday that thousands of people are starving. He passed, in one of the relief boats, 400 persons who had taken refuge in a church, the boat being unable to afford them any help. There were hardly any serviceable boats available. In the schoolhouse 1500 people had taken refuge and were without food. A large number of boats which were proceeding to the aid of the submerged city, bad been stopped by a storm, which had cut off communication by river. The following bulletin was despatched from the doomed city on the evening of the loth :—The danger in Szegedin is increasing. The rescuing boats continually strike the ruins, so that in many cases the rescue of the survivors is impossible. One boat capsized, by which eleven women were drowned. A violent storm is raging, and tie water is continually rising, and it is now two feet above the level of the Theiss. The unsubmerged area has been reduced GOO square metres, which is considerably decreasing. At the first eruption 35 soldiers were drowned. The State railway carried 1000 fugitives yesterday. It is impossible to estimate the loss of life, as numbers are buried under the ruins. The houses built of sun-dried bricks collapsed soon after the first in-rush of the flood. The work of feeding and removing the sufferers is proceeding with great ardour. The sensational stories of Hundreds having been buried in the synagogue and in the military hospital are without foundation. At noon on Thursday there were I still many people on the roofs of houses !

and in trees. Some persons died from exposure. A number of incendiaries Lave ' been arrested. ' Vienna, March 16. • A Szegedin report says a fearful storm is still raging there, and the vast lake round the remains of the city is tossing : like a sea. The inhabitants who havo not yet been taken away, are crowded ' in the citadel and in the upper stories oV a few houses and in railway wagons. * These people are fairly provided with provisions, but thousands are camped on the dykes, with whom it is impossible to communicate. Four hundred corpses were recovered yesterday. The authorities at Szentes, Vasarbly, and Szongrod, which towns contain an aggregate population of 80,000, have telegraphed to Pesth for aid. . The dykes protecting them from the ' water are threatened. SickrJess has broken out among the refugees \camped on the dykes at Szegedin. S, -\J : . Vienna, March 17. Thousands of persons are still surrounded by water at Szegedin, and six steamers and twenty-four tugs have left Pesth for there. Szegedin, March 16. The lowest estimate now current fixes the number drowned at 2000, but many persons believe thatV4ooo perished, as the gale prevented the%mjority of the inhabitants from hearing the first alarm. Some of the largest houses fell on Saturday. One is said to have overwhelmed eighty families and another fifty-six persons. To-night many people are still on the ruins of houses and trees. Diptheria has broken out among the fugitives. 16,000 horses and cattle, and 90,000 sheep were lost. The water falls very slowly, only receding three inches on Saturday night. The frost is causing great suffering. Fearful tales ars told of individual distress. The women on board the rescuing steamers refuse to part with the corpses of their children. The refugees on the embankments are eatiug seed corn, while accouchements occur in the boats and on railway trains. London, March 11. The last reinforcement for South Africa left England in the steamers Andes and Prussian. '■''.' In the House of Commons, the motion of Sir Wilfred Lawson declaring that the inhabitants of various localities should have means to restrain b} r some efficient system of local option the issue of liquor licenses, was rejected by 250 to 164. Dan Redd in, the released Fenian, died at Kingston, Ireland. The British steamer Severn, from London for Quebec, run down, off Dungeness, a pilot cutter having 12 pilots and a crew of e ght on board. Ten pilots and five of the crew were drowned. The British Government invited tenders for a telegraph cable to South Africa and Mauritius either via Adeu or India. The Duke of Connaught and Princess Louisa Margaret, daughter of Prince and Princss Frederick Charles of Prussia, were married at Winf-mr oft March 13th in St. George'e Chapel. 'When all the guests were assembled, the view was so > striking that the Queen commanded a sketch of the scene to be taken. The pre- ■ sents made to the bride were of a rich and costly nature, and included many rare old works of art. They were all displayed in the white drawing room of the Castle, and the numerous gifts nearly filled the room. The diamonds blazed in the corner on a special tab'e. The centre table was occupied by the plate and candelabra. The couches had furs and cloaks, laces and embroidery disposed upon tliem. The marriage took place at about 1 o'clock. The bride was given away by her father. At the lonclusion of the service the choir sang ''The Hallelujah Chorus," and Mendelssohn's " Wedding March," pealed forth as the bride and bridegroom left the chapel, while in the long walk a salute of guns announced the termination of the ceremony. The Crown Prince and Princess Frederick Charles appeared for the bride, and the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh for the bridegroom. Sir Wm. Gladstone was net invited to the wedding. The omission excited much comment in political circles, as both lords Granville and Hartington received invitations. France. The French Atlantic cable is broken 161 miles from St. Pierre "Nugucion in 500 fathoms of water. The Garonne River burst an embankment at Lenon La Bastille, and extensive floods occurred in Bayonne, Tarbes, and Bordeaux.

The Chamber- of. Deputies having elected as a budget -.committee all members who were in favor of the converting of the five per cent.-rentes, this caused heavy stock operations, small holders of these bonds throwing them on the market. M. Leon Say, Finance Minister, called upon them to declare their intention regarding the conversion of the five per cents., but they remained silent for several days, although the credit of the Republic was seriously imperilled. The Rothschilds having bought immense quantities at greatly depreciated rates, M. Leon Say declared against conversion, and the price instantly* rose, the Rothschilds netting a largo Sinn of money. The Paris papers make a charge of corruption against M. Leon Say, who was once a clerk of Rothschilds, and partners in the general speculations. The scandal is creating immense excitement, and public feeling is greatly incensed against the Minister. A deputation of Protectionists waited on M. Waddington, when they spake in favor of protection for cotton, linen, velvet, metal, and shipping industries, but deprecated a protective duty on wheat. There have been tremendous storms in the south of France, where hundreds of people are thrown on trie public charity by the destruction of their houses. In Spain the tempest lasted four days, and there was much damage and'loss of life. Various villages and farms in Navarre and Asturias were destroyed. A barque, name unknown, was wrecked at Corunna, and 50 persons drowned. Germany. There was 15 feet of snow in Schleswig on March Ist. The North German ' Gazette ' denounces invidious reports attributing to the Emperor remarks unfavorable to the President, M. Grevy, who now orders things in France, and the approaching return of Communists who expected to join hands with the German Socialists. Prince Bismarck, replying to n deputation of Alsatian members of the Reichstag, who presented a petuion for an extension of self-government, admitted the

; justice of their clair?, and ihat further concessions might soon be expected. In consequence of the favorable result of the interview, a motion will be introduced in the Reichstag that Alsace and Lorraine be constituted a federal State. Heir Rottscher, a staunch Protectionist, will be selected for the influential office of Secretaryxto the Imperial Treasury. The Alsatian's-party committee unanimously adopted a resolution expressing hope that Alsace and Lorraine may obtain a separate constitution as a federal Staje, having the seat of governmental: Strasburg, and representatives in thVlFederal Council at Lorraine. The members refused to- adhere to this resolution unless it was further stipulated there should beno prince as governor of the new State. As this amendment was taken into consideration the Lorraiue party left the room. Prince Bismarck has proposed to give Alsace and Lorraine a special Cabinet, and make the vote of the Provincial Assembly decisive, instead of merely consultative. AMERICAN. San Fkancisco, March 17. The veto of the Anti-Chinese Bill by the President gives dissatisfaction on the Pacific coast, and has revived the idea of a separate Republic west of the mountains. Secession is hinted at in some small papers. A correspondent named Waymouth is urging by means of communications to the papers, California contributions to the Sydney Exhibition this year, and Melbourne next. The Rev. Dr. Bleasdale, of Melbourne, is also working to the same end in San Francisco. O'Leary, hitherto the champion pedestrian of the world, has retired from the contest for the Ashly belt and the championship, utterly broken down. He entered on a contest while sick, and endeavored to keep himself up with stimulants. . Negotiations for an international match betwee.i teams representing the United States and great Britain are in progress. Female students are to be admitted to the course in Harvard College. Terrible storms at Prince Edward's Island, Canada, bew down a Catholic Church, Presbyterian church, and railway sheds. The snow in the railway cutting was twenty feet deep. A tremendous explosion occurred at Stocktown on the 2Srd ult. The boiler of an engine, moving a new propelling pnmp, burst ;18 men were killed. The disaster was the result of the carelessness of the engineer. Count Vicenza Sciafino De Bribent, said to have been an Italian - and so recognised by his Consul, died of starvation at New York on the 22nd ult. ' Business is reviving throughout New England. The Austrian valet of Mdlle. De Murska lias been arrested by John Hill in New York for stealing Mdlle's diamonds. Madame La Chapell<>, at Chicago, has walked 1700 miles in as many consecutive quarter-hours. Bret Harte was eleelcd lion, member of the Reform Club, London. A scheme for a penal colony in Alaska has been submitted to the American Government. The Inspector of Cattle announces that pleuvn-pncvimonia does not exist in any of the United States. Members of the American commercial expedition at Mexico, with the hope of extending trade, are deeply disappointed at the result of the visit. There is no prospect of increased trade, as the people there are jealous of and hostile to Americans. The New York'World' declares that at » session of the Senate of the United States, several Senators were so intoxicated that no business could be transacted. Women have been admitted to practise in the Supreme Court. A project is on foot to tunnel North river between New York and New Jersey. Recently an ex-stock broker, and ten years ago a millionaire, who had given lOOjOOOclol. to New York church, was sentenced in that city to five days' imprisonment for th p f-. By an explosion of nitro-glycerine three men were killed at Dutch Gap, James River, and wouiifled. England has-refused capital to Mexico for railroad purposes, and the field is left clear for Americans, to whom application has been made. England has now but slight interest in the trade with Mexico. An International Congress, called by M. Lesseps, is to be held in Paris on May loth, to decide the route for a proposed Atlantic to Pacific ship canal. The United States will be represented by Admiral Ament and others. Beecher has been sued by Samuel Williamson, his publisher, for failing to comply with a contract in publishing the " Life of Christ,' 1 and also for 4*0,000 dollars advanced on account. Elihu Burrett. known as the learned blacksmith, is dead. Eliza Youn<r, a widow of Brigham. has written Mr President Hayes to use his influence in suppressing polygamy. Over one thousand guests on the 10th of March, will celebrate the silver wedding and inception of the enterprise which united Europe and America by the Atlantic cable. Talmage, the famous New York preacher, has been arraigned by the Brooklyn Presbytery for heterodoxy. Arrangements have been made to commence the Canadian Pacific railway at an early date. Colored people are leaving Louisiana in large numbers, and poverty and beggary throughout the agricultural part of the State is feared. A revival of trade in America is indicated by a new line of export, in the shipment of iron for China. Kearney, the agitator, is stumping California for the working men's parly. and is in favor of a new state constitution. Rose Osborne, the actress.'will visit the colonies as leading lady with George Chapman in April. Rose Eylinge and Cyril Searle will leave for Sdyney by the May boat. The Lingards have arrived in San Francisco from the East. The revolution has ended in Hayti. The United States of Columbia were in a state of active insurrection. General Blar co will be sent as Capt.General'to Cuba. Famine prevails in the most fertile district of Bolivia.

Yellow fever is increasing in Eio Janeiro and Brazil, and there is famine throughout the country.