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owners when the mines are in working order again. Nothing is more certain than the fact that if we increase the taxation many of the mines will never reopen at all. Even President Kruger was driven to admit the necessity of reducing the cost of production in the case of the lower-grade mines, and any increase of their burdens will simply lead to the abandonment of all attempt to extract the ore excepting in the richer mines. The French and German owners of Rand stock may be fairly weil relied upon to take care of their own interests. The prospect of any material contribution from the mines is as much a mirage in the African desert as the delusion that the natives are to derive any benefit as the result of our conquest.

The Cursing of Tim.

The most conspicuous feature of the meeting of Parliament was—to perpetrate a bull--the people who were not there. The reconstituted and reunited Irish National Party decided that they would take no part in the discussion at Westminster, and would employ themselves by meeting in Convention at Dublin for the purpose of pronouncing a sentence of major excommunication upon Mr. T. M. Healy. The Convention met, passed a strong resolution repudiating all responsibility for the war, and condemning the atrocity with which it has been conducted. Then, having disposed of this as a kind. of hors d'œuvre, they settled down to the great business of the meeting, the excommunication of Tim. Tim, like the jackdaw of Rheims, listened to the terrible curse, and did not seem a penny the worse. On the contrary, he spread himself at Westminster as the sole representative of the Irish Nationalist Party. He made two speeches full of mordant force, and made several interjections which produced even more effect than his speeches. One of these, which will not soon be forgotten in the House of Commons, was the question which he asked immediately after the returns had been read to the House as to the number of horses and mules which had been sent to the seat of war. Tim rose without a smile, and before any one could divine what he was after, he convulsed the House by asking:

"Will the right hon. gentleman say how many asses have been sent out?"

Alas! materials for all other returns are provided in abundance, but for the return for which Mr. Healy's soul yearned the War Office has provided no statistics.

in the Ascendant.

Count von Bülow last month disCount von Bülow tinctly advanced his already high reputation by the speech which he made in defence of the Kaiser's refusal to see President Kruger. Nothing that the Emperor has done for some time has so much affronted German national feeling, and it has found vent in various methods, some Parliamentary, and others of a more popular nature. It fell to Count von Bülow's lot to defend his Imperial master in the Reichstag, and he did so with singular success. If Count von Bülow can keep it up in this style, he will soon be recognised as a new Bismarck, much more genial and less imperious, but not less capable, than the great Chancellor who did so much to unify Germany. It is difficult to say which was the more skilful, the frankness of Count von Bülow's admission of previous mistakes in the Imperial policy, or the audacity with which he assumed that the reception of Mr. Kruger was equivalent to a rupture of friendly relations with England. President Loubet received Mr. Kruger, and so has Queen Wilhelmina. What the President of the French Republic could do, the Kaiser of the German Empire ought surely to be able to accomplish without fear of giving mortal offence.

A Set Back

to Education.

Considerable consternation among all who care for the education of the people was aroused by a judicial. decision that was given in the month of December, which, unless it is reversed on appeal, cuts up by the roots the attempt that has been made for many years past to improve the education of our people. In the case known as the Queen v. Cockerton, the issue was raised whether the School Board had any right to give anything but the rudiments of education. Two judges, Mr. Justice Wills and Mr. Justice Kennedy, have ruled that elementary education, according to the strictly legal interpretation of the Act of Parliament, means little more than reading, writing, and arithmetic, and, therefore, that any expenditure incurred by the School Board for teaching the children any of the higher branches of education is ultra vires. The case will be carried to a higher Court, where the decision may be reversed; but if it is not, it may be a blessing in disguise, for it will precipitate the reconsideration of our educational system, and compel the new Parliament to devote its attention during the next session to the amendment of the law, for in that case amended it must be, and that at once. Whatever change is made in our educational system should be to improve and increase the facilities enjoyed. by

our children for acquiring at the threshold of life the education which alone can enable them to hold their own in the struggle for existence.

Poisoned Beer.

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Gazette of the criminal vice of London, I had been guilty of exaggeration, and that I had overstated the horror of the traffic in child-life, which is one of the most terrible and appalling crimes of modern civilisation. None of those persons, however, could indulge in that pleasing delusion if they were to take the trouble to read the reports of the cause célèbre which last month resulted in the consigning of a wellknown Berlin banker to two and a half years' imprisonment. Sternberg, the banker in question, was an even greater monster than the man whose hideous vice I described in 1885 under the title of the Minotaur of London. The London Minotaur fortunately is dead and gone to his last account. Sternberg, his Berlin prototype, was proved in Court, on the testimony of innumerable witnesses, to have employed his vast wealth in the corruption of young girls. The whole machinery which exists in every capital for the purveying of victims to the modern Minotaur was set forth on sworn evidence given under cross-examination in the Berlin Criminal Court. Nearly every feature of this infernal traffic, which I was the first to bring into the glaring light of day in London, was proved to be flourishing in the capital of Germany.

In the North of England last month a panic set in among beer-drinkers, which illustrates in a very striking manner how absolutely dependent are upon the chemist. A strange epidemic seemed to have broken out in Manchester, the symptoms of which were soon discovered to be practically identical with those of arsenical poisoning. For a time its origin was wrapped in mystery, but on investigation it was discovered that all those who suffered (numbering thousands, while about a hundred died) had been in the habit of drinking beer supplied by one brewery. On the analysis of this beer, it was found to be heavily charged with arsenic, and, on pressing the inquiry further, it was discovered that the brewers had used, in the manufacture of their beer, glucose and invert sugar, in the preparation of which the use of vitriol is indispensable. Now the vitriol used in preparing this glucose used by these brewers was on analysis found to contain arsenic, which is often present in sulphur pyrites. The unfortunate firm appeared to have taken all the usual precautions, and had submitted their glucose to chemical analysis, and, as the certificates of the analyst were in order, they naturally assumed that all was right. Unfortunately all was wrong, and the mistake of the analyst has cost as many lives as a pitched battle in South Africa. As the question of responsibility is likely to come before the Courts, it would be wrong to venture upon any comment on the case, but it illustrates in a very marked manner what widespread devastation might be wrought by a single blunder of the scientist, upon whose accuracy and care may hang the lives of hundreds and thousands.

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GERMAN

CAROLINE 18

ADMIRALTY IS

GERMAN

New Guinea

TORRES

STRAITS

Queensland

NEW IRELAND

SOLOMON

NEW BRITAIN

COOKTOWN

AUSTRALIA

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ENTRECASTEAUX IS

Brisbane

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NEW

CALEDONIA

FRENCH

RITIS

ELLICE 18

LOYALTY IS

BRITISH

Suva

FIJI IS

Auckland to Suva

1.140 Miles

Sydney

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GERMANY

EQUATOR

AND

SAMOA

Tar. 18

TONGA 18

BRITISH

PHENEX A

Our

TOKELAU 29

AMERICA

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BRITISH

NEW ZEALAND

Map showing Distribution of Islands in the Pacific.

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newspapers have printed little or nothing of the details of the trial, excepting those which relate to the corruption of the police; for Sternberg, to secure himself immunity in the indulgence of his horrible appetite, spared no expense to corrupt the detectives and to buy the silence of the chiefs of the police. If it had not been for the staunch fidelity of one officer, who was more fortunate than ex-Inspector Minahan, whose career was spoiled because of his refusal to wink at the misdeeds of keepers of fashionable houses of ill-fame in the West End, Sternberg might have gone unchecked till his death. One of the incriminated parties committed suicide when the verdict was pronounced, and the action of Sternberg's counsel is to be investigated, for they are under grave suspicion of having tampered with witnesses to defeat the ends of justice.

The Powers and -China.

After endless discussions at Pekin the representatives of the Allied Powers have succeeded in drawing up twelve "irrevocable" conditions, which they presented to the Emperor of China as "indispensable reparation for the crimes committed and in order to prevent their recurrence." These conditions have been accepted en bloc by the Emperor of China, but between such general submission and the fulfilment of the obligations implied in such acceptance there is a wide gulf fixed. What the Chinese expect is that the foreign that the foreign devils will quarrel among themselves, as soon as they come to practical details. We may take it for granted that there will be no difficulty in the erection of expiatory monuments in Pekin or elsewhere. Neither will there be any trouble about the maintenance of Legation Guards in Pekin

and the fortification of the diplomatic quarter, for the Allies are already in possession, and can do as they please. The same remark applies to the stipulation about the destruction of the Taku forts and the militury occupation of the points necessary to secure safety of communication between Pekin and the sea. But the moment the "irrevocable" conditions pass beyond the sphere in which the Allies are allpowerful, we fail to see what security they possess for enforcing their demands. Take, for instance, the fifth condition: "the importation of arms or materials, and their manufacture, are to be prohibited." Now the Allies might possibly, although this is very doubt ful, prevent the importation of arms; but even if they were all of them acting together with the single will of one man, they could not prevent the manufacture of arms within the vast intact world of the Chinese empire. It would appear that the Chinese, by accepting the "irrevocable" conditions, have put the Powers in a fix. If the Emperor had rejected their conditions, they might have declared war, or could have seized territory; but now that they are accepted in principle, the question will turn upon the guarantees for their fulfilment, and every separate clause of the twelve will afford the Chinese ample opportunity for profiting by the divisions of their invaders.

Justice for China !

From the point of view of abstract justice the Allies have already exacted vengeance far exceeding the original provocation. No one can read the reports published by Dr. Dillon in the Contemporary Review this month, as to the abominable atrocities perpetrated by the soldiers of Christendom upon the non-combatant Chinese population, without feeling that the less we say about compensation for outrage the better. In relation to the worst outrages-those upon Chinese women-Dr. Dillon gives the English-speaking contingent a comparative certificate of virtue. Against this, however, we must put the wanton and hideous outrage upon Chinese susceptibilities that was reported on New Year's Day in a Laffan's telegram from Pekin. According to this, the Temple of Heaven, one of the most sacred edifices in China, was selected by an amateur dramatic troupe of British officers as the theatre for performing a burlesque, in which the Dowager Empress was caricatured, put up for auction, and knocked down for five dollars to an Indian officer personating Prince Tuan, who was declared to have purchased the honour of China for that sum. This combination of vulgarity and indecency is one of the things which make the English so much detested by other races..

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2. President Kruger abandons his visit to Berlin. President McKinley's Message is delivered to Congress.

3.

The annual report of the United States Treasury is submitted to Congress.

The report of the Isthmian Canal Commission
is also placed before Congress by President
McKinley.

An embankment and a promenade a quarter of
a mile long fall into the river at Rome.
In a correspondence with his constituents Mr.
Chaplin tells how he came to retire from the
Ministry.

5. The Reichstag debates on the first reading of a Toleration Bill, which seeks to secure complete religious freedom for all German subjects. Count Bülow points out how it interferes with the Federal character of the Empire.

The French Senate discusses the Bill for increasing the Fleet.

The New South Wales Parliament is prorogued until January 16th.

6. The first sitting of the new London School Board.

President Kruger arrives at The Hague. A

great demonstration welcomes him, votes cf sympathy are passed in both Chambers of the Dutch States-General.

The Af. ik ander Congress opens in Cape Colony, 8,000 persons being present. Mr. Cronwright Schreiner meets with a great reception. 7. The elections in Canada result in the complete triumph of the Liberals.

8. President Kruger is received by Queen Wilhelmina at The Hague.

The German Government

nominate four

members to serve on the permanent bureau for international arbitration at The Hague. Major von Liebut resigns his position as Governor of German East Africa.

10. Lord Curzon arrives at the Kolai Goldfields. 1. The French Chamber agrees to the D.ink Duties Bill.

In the Dutch Parliament M. de Beaufort explains the nature of the incident between Holland and Portugal.

The Nationalist Convention opens in Dublin under the presidency of Mr. John Redmond. 12. The Reichstag continues the debate on the Estimates. Dr. Hasse attacks the Government's treatment of President Kruger; Count von Bülow replies.

13.

The Victorian Legislative Assembly pass the
Woman's Suffrage and Old Age Pensions
Bills.

In the American Senate the Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty is discussed. Mr. Davis' amendment
Is carried by a large majority, 65 votes to 17.
The French Chamber discuss the Amnesty
Bill.

The Reichstag adjourns for Christmas. 14. Arrangements are made by the States Council of Switzerland for the nationalisation of the railways.

15. Lord Hopetoun arrives at Sydney.

16. A German training ship, the Gneisenau, is wrecked off Malag1; 38 lives lost.

1). The Amnesty Bill brought in by the French Government finally passes the Chamber in a form acceptable to the Government by a large majority.

20.

President Kruger arri es at Amsterdam; he is received by the Communal Council and is acco ded a warm reception.

27.

The Dutch Minister in London informs the B.iish Government that his Government does not accept the Paris Venezuela Award 30 as to the dema-cation of the Anglo-Dutch frontier, as Holland was not represented. The American Senate adopts the amendment to the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty declaring the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty is superseded. The amendment is carried cancelling the provision inviting the adhesion of other Powers. The treaty is then ratified by 55 votes to 18. The Victorian Legislative Council rejects the Woman's Suffrage Bill by a large majority, but pass the Old Ag: Pensions Bill. The French Chamber discuss the Navy esti

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17.

In the American Senate the discussion on the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty is resumed.

A Dock Strike begins at Antwerp.

18. The French Chamber discusses the Budget and the question of M. Déroulède and his fellow-exiles being included in the amnesty. M. Ernest Roche withdraws his amend

The Canadian fo.ce from South Africa reach Canada.

M. Zola publishes a letter on the Amnesty Bill in the Paris Aurore.

Captain Dreyfus addresses a letter to M. Waldeck-Rousseau.

In the French Chamber M. Sembat strongly c.iticises the license and barbarity of the European forces in China. M. de Lanessan replies that the Government is determined to put an end to the customs of barbaric epochs. The credit for 29,000,000 frs. is then agreed to by a large majority. Mr. Barton forms his Federal Cabinet as Prime follows:-Rt. Hon. E. Barton, Minister and Exterior Affairs; Hon. Alfred Deakin, Attorney-General and Justice; Sir W. J. Lyne, Home Affairs; Sir G. Turner, Treasurer: Rt. Hon. C. C. Kington, Tr de and Customs; Sir James R. Dickson, Defence; Sir J. Forrest, Postmaster-General.

By-Election.

Dec. 23. An election took place in the Blackpool Division of Lancashire owing to the elevation of Sir M. White Ridley to the Peerage. The following is the result;

Mr. Worsley-Taylor (C.) Alderman Heap (L.)

Conservative majority

7,05)

558)

1,470

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M. Hoshi, Japanese Minister of Communica- 14.
tions, resigns, and is succeeded by M. Hara.
Sir William Lyne declines to fo m a Federal
Ministry, and advises Lord Hopetoun to
send for Mr. Barton.

The French Chamber discuss the Army esti

16.

mates.

The Pope closes the holy door at midnight at St. Peter's, Rome.

25.

ment.

Mr. Barton undertakes to form an Australian Federal Government.

17.

19.

Lord Hopetoun entrusts the task of forming a Federal Government to Sir W. Lyne, the Prime Minister of New South Wales.

26.

The Japanese Diet assembles.

18.

There is great distress in the interior of Turkey owing to the exactions of the tax-gatherers.

M:. Malan, editor of Onsland, is elected unopposed for Malmesbury in place of Mr. Schreiner.

General Knox continues a running fight with De Wet's forces.

The Australian and Canadian troops emba k at Cape Town on their return home.

A severe battle takes place a few miles from Pretoria on the Magaliesberg range between the Boers under Delarey and the British under Clements; the Bri ish retreat after the Boers seize the hill commanding the British camp; 18 officers and 555 men missing. There is also fighting near Mafeking and at Vryheid.

General Knox compels De Wet to go north, and recaptures a 15-pounder gun, a pom-pom, and several waggons.

A portion of Brabant's Colonial Horse are taken prisoners by the Boers near Zastron.

De Wet, with some 2,000 men, appears in the Thaba Nchu region; he makes three determined attacks on the British position; in the third he charges through.

Lord Kitchene requests the New Zealanders to remain to the end of the war.

A force of 700 or 800 Boers cross into Cape Colony near Aliwal North and reach Knapdaal, north of Albut Junction.

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