THE CABLES.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 174, 2 December 1892, Page 3

THE CABLES.

Yon Caprivi introduced the Army Bill in the Reichstag in a speech which lasted two hours. He disclaimed any idea of a warlike policy, and warmly repelled the idea that the increase asked for was for the purpose of provoking war ; on the contrary, they wished to secure a long peace. Germany wanted no increase of territory, but he felt it his duty to point out the dangers that confronted them both on the Eastern and Western frontiers. The French Army already outnumbered the German Army, and this disparity was increasing every year. It was impossible to ignore the French love of war, and their desire was constantly growing stronger to conclude alliances, not for defence, but partly in order to revise the map of Europe. Though Germany was on good terms with Russia. fierce forces were operating there which might drive the Czar, lover of peace as he was, into war with Germany. Caprivi said he was canvinced the next Russian war would be conducted on the westorn frontier, though there was no immediate danger of it. If the rapprochement between France and Russia, Caprivi said, were converted into an alliance there would be grave risk ; hence Germany could not surrender Alsace and Lorraine, or abandon its relations with Austria and Italy. He contended that as a matter of fact, the troops of the Triple Alliance are not equal to the combined French and Russian armies. He was aware that any request for increase in the forces was bound to produce ill-feeling, but war with Russia at the present moment would find Germany unprepared. The Bill might possibly be unwelcome, but defeat would be worse. Germany was not so supreme as in 1870. He dwelt forcibly on the extraordinary strength of the French frontier fortifications, and Paris was now the strongest fortress in the world. The Reichstag received _ the Chancellor’s speech coldly, and with evident scepticism, Caprivi denied Bismarck’s statement that Germany hastened to war in 1870.

Ferdinand Do Lesseps is both physically and mentally unable to appear before the Court on Friday. The Panama Canal Inquiry Committee is composed of 25 members of the Left and nine of the Right.

Despatches from Dahomey state that King Behanzin burnt his palaces, and the houses of his chiefs prior to evacuating Abomey. He is now encamped, with the remnant of his followers, about three days’ march from the capital. The French commander is making arrangements for occupying the whole of Dahomey. It is reported that heavy frauds have been discovered in tbe Argentine naval department, and that the country will be unable, in consequence, to pay for warships now being built in Europe and they will be sold to Russia. Financiers interested in Swaziland had an interview with Lord Ripon, at which they opposed the abandonment of that country. He replied that negotiations had been completed. He was bound to consult the rights of the South African Republic. He could not, at this stage, disclose the Government’s policy,

but assured the deputation that he was alive to the commercial interests of Great Britain. It is officially announced that the Government have decided to allow the Imperial British East Africa Company to evacuate Uganda in March, and that immediately thereafter they will send an Imperial Commissioner with a native escort to report as to the best means of dealing with the country. The Times, however, asserts it is certain the real decision of tho Cabinet goes much further. Nelson Bros., Turner, Weddell, and others, meat salesmen, assert that there is no prospect of an unlimited demand for frozen meat at home. They admit, however, that it will always he large if shipments are equalised, but at present the coarser sorts predominate. Nelson Bros, will shortly issue tho prospectus of an Austalian chilling company with £200,000 capital, and proceed to erect works. In Mrs Parnell’s bankruptcy the liabilities are set down at £7OOO, and assets at £SOO. The cause is said to be loss of income owing to the death of her aunt Mrs Wood. Sir J. C. Abbot, Premier of Canada, has resigned and is going to Egypt for his health. A portion of the butter ex s.s. Massilia, from Australia, sold at 120 s to 124 s per cwt. In the N. S. W. Legislative Assembly, tbe Colonial Treasurer announced that half a million of money would shortly be available under the New Funded Stock Bill. It is reported that Lords Carrington and Houghton will be created earls at the New Year. The Daily News states that that the public took a quarter of a million of the Western Australian loan. The Times say 3 a considerable amount of money is again being invested in colonial stock. TheN.S.W. Government will shortly introduce legislation to cope with the codlin moth pest, which is ravaging that colony. Two human legs have been found in a bag at Hawthorne, a suburb of Melbourne. The bag was branded : ‘ Lot No. 1, J. Ripper.’ The police think the legs are those of a woman, but medical men believe they belong to a man. In the Victorian Legislative Assembly Sir Graham Berry announced that the deficit for the year would be a little less than one million, owing to payments in the months of July and August being much less than was anticipate!. Notice of motion has been given in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, calling on the Government to investigate the recent financial transactions of companies that have suspended payment. For riotous behaviour at Broken Hill, during the recent strike, Rowan was sentenced to IS months, McLennan 12 months, Scropping and Thomas six months, Maloney three months, Jones and Johnson one month, all with hard labour. The whole of the crew of the ship Port Glasgow, with the exception of the first mate, have been arrested for disobeying the captain’s orders on the high seas. The crew have laid serious charges against, the captain before the Marine Board, but the nature af tbe accusation has not been allowed to transpire. Eight-ninths of the spindles belonging to tbe Masters’Federation, London, have stopped or are On half time. Obifuary : O’Connor, the Canadian sculler, from typhoid fever. The crew of the ship Port Glasgow have been sentenced to one mo th’s imprisonment each on the charge of disobeying the captain’s orders. Tbe men accused the captain of incompetency, and threatened to throw him overboard if he interfered in the navigation of the vessel. They petitioned the mate to take command, and alleged that during bad weather the captain remained below when the vessel was in danger of foundering. The captain was compelled to hand over the command to the first mute. A trial shipment of pineapples has been sent to England under the auspices of tbe Queensland Government. It is denied that Guion and Co. intend to withdraw from the New York trade. The French flag has been hoisted on St Paul and Amsterdam Islands. Le Temps looks upon Australian opposition to the French annexation of the St. Paul’s and Amsterdam Islands as a piece of extraordinary effrontery. Osma Digna raided Tokar, and killed many Arabs, but fled on the approach of the troops. Medical men are of the opinion that the human remains found at Hawchorn were cut from the body shortly after death, and appear to have been backed off below the knee by some unscientific person The police are not certain whether or not the affair is the hoax of a medical student. Armed police encircled and took notes of a meeting it Toombridge in Ireland, held for the purpose of promoting the Redmonds’ new societ.y of an army of independence. This action of the police enraged the mob. The N.S.W. Government have decided to sell the Wolverine, also to retire Major General Richardson, commandant of the forces, on the ground of ill health, and send home for his successor. The ‘ Novosti,’ commenting upon Caprivi’s speech says France and Russia will remain calm. They have no fear of any coalition. Tlie majority of the Dahomeyans deserted their king at the last. The French are striking a medal to celebrate the success of this expedition , Colonel Dodds has been instructed to arrange for the future administration of the country, Behanzin has been deposed and Toffas succeeds him. Pitiable scenes have occured at the eviction of tenants on Lord Dalton’s estates in Mayo. The Spanish Government has entered into a contract fnr the immediate delivery of seventy thousand Maraer rifles.