THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2254, 15 September 1891, Page 4

THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

Paris, September 11

Le Siecle, a political organ, plainly declares that France Will not assist Russia to secure Constantinople cr invade the rights of England. M. De Freycinet was entertained at a banquet in the Vaudeuvre, and in the course of a speech laid much stress upou the pacific disqosition of France, but at the same time he thought the late military manoeuvres had attested her strength and shown that she was prepared for any emergency. The action of Belgium in fortifying Meuse, a department formed of part of the old province of Lorraine, combined with King Leopold's secret alliance with Germany, is causing much irritation in France.

M. Jules Simon, in a letter to the Press, says Socialism is the greatest danger the Republic has to fear. The reception given to the French fleet at Cronstadt and Portsmouth has weakened Germany's powers of ill. Berlin"; Sept. 12.

A Hamburg paper .has created a sensation by publishing what it declares are Russian designs. It states that Russia proposes to suddenly seize Constantinople, and that she has sufficient transport to land 30,000 troops on the shores of the Bosphorus in 24 hours. Russia, it is said, will mobilise her army in April next to test the efficiency of the new military system. The Russian press is clamorous for aggression in the East. The Novoste demands free passage to enable the Black Sea fleet to join the French [sic] Vienna, Sept. 11. "

It is understood that in the recent interviews between General von Caprivi, German Chancellor, and Count Kalnoky, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, an agreement was arrived at that there was no present ground for diplomatic action with regard to Turkey allowing Russia free passage of the Dardanelles. It is rumoured that another of the Great Powers has refused England's request to interfere. Sept. 12. The Emperor of Germany, who witnessed the military manoeuvres, praises the endurance of the Austrian soldiers and their readiness for war. One comfort, which he said rendered him happy, was that Germany and Austria allied could disregard the, rgst of Europe. Buda Pbsoh?, Sept. 10,

The Hungarian Government has sanptioned the expenditure of sixteen million florins in fortifying Transylvania. St. Petehsbuho. Sept. 10. The Moscow Gazette declares that the Great Powers are bound to respect the decision of the Sultan with regard to the Dardanelles, as he has the right to give a passage through the straits to whomsoever he pleases. Eleven shipments of warlike stores passed through the Dardanelles during the year. A strong Russian fleet is collecting in the Black Sea.. Constantinople, Sept.. J. 0,.

The Mediterranean Commission wijl try Kiamil Pasha, the dismissed Premier, for plotting against his country.

The Sultan has granted Sir A. W. White an interview coucerning the firing on British merchant vessels when passing the Dardanelles in July last. THE FAMINE IN RUSSIA. St. Petersburg, Sept. 10. The famine in Kamboff is so terrible in its severity that the peasant women bring their children in contact with the sufferers from diphtheria in the hopes that they may contract the disease and so end their misery. The Russian Church schools and Convents are trying to relieve the distress among the peasants. Peasants in the Orel district are committing crimes in order to escape starvation. The gaols are over full. Hundreds are killed in fights for grainEARTHQUAKE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. New Y okk, September 10. Intelligence is to hand that a severe shock of earthquake has been experienced in the Republic of San Salvador in Central America, resulting in many lives being lost and the destruction of property to the extent of several million dollars. The New York Herald's correspondent telegraphs that hardly a city in the Republic has escaped the shock. The cities of Analquito and Cosmasagua were completely destroyed, while Cojutepagne, Santa Tekla, San Pedro, and Mashante have been ruined. Since the shock three great volcanic mountains have beome active. The Herald's correspoudent telegraphs that the earthquake in San Salvador took place at midnight. Telegraph lines were broken for a radius of sixty miles, and hundreds of lives lost. A perfect reign of terror was established, and people are leaving the country in all directions. THE. EMPEROR OF GERMANY. [Per San Francisco Mail.] The following story was wired from Berlin and printed in some of the Paris papers on August Ist :—The Kaiser ig physically and morally succumbing to the morphine habit, and has been put on strict regimen by Dr Lenthorld; his allowance of morphine has been stopped, and he has been put on a limited amount of mild " bier de Nuremburg " as his only stimulant. His mania, according to report, broke out the first time at sea. He got wildly drunk and assumed command of the yacht.' He took the vessel at her maximum speed out into the open ocean, and caused every flag on board to be displayed, and ordered repeated salvoes with the yacht's guns, while the band played vigorously. Such scenes were kept up all night, the Kaiser in the meantime changing his uniform, and wearing in succession those of German, English, and Italian admirals. In the course of a drunken row he struck Lieutenant Schroder, who immediately went below and blew out his brains, as he considered himself irretrievably dishonoured. Some sailors, who revolted at the Lnperial caprices, were unmercifully flogged and put in irons. Next morning the Kaiser, renewing his mad " drunk," was thrown, as-if accidentally, from the bridge of the vessel to the deck, his "feet being badly injured by the fall. A Paris paper, which is not given to sensationalism, prints on August 16th the following, as confirmed by unquestioned authority ; "On the night following the departure of the Imperial yacht from England, the crew were beaten to quarters, and were surprised to find the quarterdeck brilliantly illuminated, and an altar being erected on deck, bearing the Old and New Testaments. The Kaiser stood by it, wearing a white chasuble, with a crozier in his hand, and a black and white mitre on his head. He read the most warlike passages from the Testaments, and invited the crew to respond. He then preached a long sermon on the duties of sovereigns to their people. The whole sermon lasted from 11 o'clock at night'till • 2 • o'clock in the morning. The crew were then piped below. At 5 o'clock in the morning the Kaiser appeared on the bridge in the uniform of a high'admiral, looking extremely haggard, and addressing the commander said " Sir, retire to your cabin, I shall take charge." The commander replied " Sir, permit me .to observe that we are in a dangerous passage, and it is advisable for your Majesty's safety as well as that of the crew, that a sailor remain in charge." The Emperor responded " Never mind, God will inspire me." The commander bowed? and retired. The second officer remaining, the Emperor angrily bade him to retire also. The officer respectfully protesting, the Emperor said—" You resist ? Wretched creature you ti'ouble the spirit of God that is within me. This is the vengenance of God upon you"— dealing the officer a heavy blow on the cheek. The officer tnmed crimson but remained passive, until the Emperor Seized him by the throat and tried to j throw him overboard. In the struggle that followed the Emperor fell and broke his kneecap. He howled with pain, and his eyes protruded from their sockets. He foamed at the mouth, and swore terribly, displaying symptoms of madness. The officers after consultation, carried himinto a cabin, nobody being admitted excepting the doctor, the Empress, and the men necessary to restrain him till his leg was bandaged and he was encased in a straight jacket. The crisis lasted three days. These stories in the French papers give the Emperor much annoyance, and Cancellor Von Caprivi proposes to remonstrate with the French Government on the subject. They are denounced as mere " sensational inventions." Dr Lenthorold has officially declared (according to a Berlin despatch of August 13th) that he considers it incompatible with the oath of responsibility vested in him to conceal the true physical condition of the Emperor William. He says further that he could not omit publishing bulletins to this effect, nor could he omit making reports which showed that the Emperor was not in the full possession of his normal faculties. The doctor further states that after this declaration had been made, Professor Esmarch was appointed medical attendant on the Emperor, upon his consenting to withhold from the public all information concerning the Emperor's real condition It is now proposed to establish a Regency for the Empire, ponsisfing of Prince Henry of Prussia, the Grand Duke o I Baden, and the Chancellor, Von Caprivi •

The Council for the Kingdom of Prussia is to consist of the present Empress, Prince Henry, Duke Ernest G-unther of Schleswig-Holstein, Chancellor Von Caprivi, and Count Fresdorf. In order that the necessary steps will be taken to ensure the appointment of this Regency, the journey of Prince Henry to England is made with the view of holding a family council, in which the Queen and Empress shall be first consulted, and then the matter will be placed before the other members of the family.