Weekly Mail

BUY 1 SWIFT'S P&IME AMERICAN BEEF. PORK. AMD PROVISIONS. t 2051 Strongest and Best" E? —Health TRY'S N I 0 re Concentrated OCOA 'n ^es^ornl'1g and energy- B § constituents." £ »-. Andrew Wilson, 1 JOO Qolrt F.R.S.E. | q ^QdaBs& Diptomas 1 *IJMfaf~rni ii in iiiiin.iujmiiii_J

BOMBARDMENT, • ^LS STILL ACTIVE*. ^ESS ASSOCIATION SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] vJ? MANILA, Sunday. fact that the Filipinos to > prGna- ftlDS on ^h0 American right a„ iations were made last night t}, ^erifc^ack. The cruiser Buffalo, a,u tiie "y means of her searchlight foi>^ ten were unusually active Of.] 0ck.- signalled to the flagship t!VAer bornf,t(} fire, and on receiving the t6n.rded the enemy's trenches for waa + The only effect, appa- drive the enemy further Mth ^eir 7°n<i a few ineffectual volleys ti0j/ ititereKi-eUC'les' were returned of All i, ,they made no demonstra- ted W aSc! u ciuiet along the rest slir> v;'outs assert that they have (& direS- R«Pilar, with his arm in a W^l JlJ?* Filipino troops, and SoWr-in-ch!ef1Cgro' tlie insurgent com- of p-b' CQQfj„ f: ls reported to be per- Qeral t £ nS the movements in front sirJ^ti. lnS's line, near San Pedro ti0> Mth ti, Slgnal corPs is arranging 011 the if wars^'Ps f°r future opera- ■^GTt ASHMEN AND LADIES IN ~n A\tai?P A-NILA Sunday (3 p.m.). yPe rn3an Volunteers abandoned rpr Urch at five o'clock this ^ao°5 firp y have since set the build- oo^i. ai!c' retired to San Pedro ^Hri in tt? lnsurgents still hold the fi% ater0G VliC'nity of Guadalupe, Pasig, ke fah q. .Respite the efforts of the ^af ^gle n i°at to dislodge them from CeMihi ;U ,"°tli sides of the river. The 'Jaily 5 anc* *s increasing per- manager of the Manila tiojj ?^aittbana^> is believed to be safe tr tteen^' a?though no communica- -fc. received from him since the °ther JjUly s^hen housed with his wife ith him were about six aiiied i?Gn' some whom were ^tiv, by their wives. Although in likely to be molested by tJleij 'toQj ^e vicinity, it is feared that provinces might wreak of r? .uPon them. With the °at „ -f'oilo, trade ports in the .A..e arhe still blockaded. The gun- as arrived here. To BURN THE AMERICAN A^S(w Quarters. Tjjg ^TION SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] ^0 ^fi^eg of MANILA, Tuesday. tb6 ,'s' viHage of Pact last ni?ht L tile to burn the .uarters of pn^eVpi. -'0in;>f Q Volanteera by setting fire o v, ch hnts in tlie rear. wind. d just aa the fire was dis- 8f)c fanned by a stiff breeze, the tiVehUcl in anotller direction, destroying 'in y stacks and some houses opposite °f the church. The incendiaries (}.>, the frequent and mysterious signal- Was observed along the enemy's line been6 ^^ht, it was believed that an attack tf n^ec] arranged, but no other incident he rebels are leaving the vicinity r° Macati in small parties, and are V k0 moving towards Singalon. R^3 telegram from "Washington on :—The following dispatch, dated Ht !(}enay' ^as ^een received from General Miller reports that on the 19th iloi]0-Ur^nt forces were a few miles out Nif?" 56'f3ai1^ were believed to be disinteg- loH vv-iti 'lare3 that he can maintain his 0j his present force, and that the t'ori c:^y :'s being resumed. He has r .retjresentative men. officials from g the island of Negros, where tne )¡tt¡011. ag is raised, and where American f°rc, reque3ted against the small insur- ver tlae island. Affairs there and in fri;, to jj. f encotiraging, and I shall endea- ^iiig r,'n,i?in an<i improve the present rt'' »n Wons- Matters here (Manila) 0f insurgent force stationed lit- Cot, ,e citv was driven away yester- "ltl S loss to the enemy."

'3JCRE OF AMKRICAffS tlI ORDEEU, Association SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] ^4^^1(10 v, HOXG KONG, Wednesday. ^a3 issued another manifesto, v-Vs !.)fcctCcj'' nation brought about by the 'Uti ,vP'.OV0cation of the Americans. He k- Vvbile ^araenting the outbreak of hos- 4hB tried to avoid by every Nk?11' anH I30ner' making humiliating con- th to'erating the insults and out- of u.9rmy occupation against the th an^a' b.e is prepared to sacrifice island OT<<ir to maintain the integrity V^tu^on an'i the national honour. He 0j> ? to witness the good faith and {'0S W intentions, and complains that +1? treated as a rebel because he t?e national interests, instead of tool of the Americans, and sup- y U5lr preoosterous pretensions. The is unanimous in his sup- perish rather than accept the g lnion of America, to which even the V' Administration was prefe- Nh .ne^ CoitlInission ia considered a farce, )"j, a3 it does pronounced annexa-. J-. 6 General Otis, Mr. Denby, and v-^5' >li0 e^ey, -while Mr. Harden, the secre- J'lih. ^ormerly correspondent of the «orld," maliciously defamed the reP°rts to papers which were ?xiou3 to them. The Filipmo t wishe3, in order to dispel false V 5,ha'riy ri to the world that neither '\Q.t ZL, r any other Power has rendered Istan j.,lstanoe, either moral or material. Q Filipinos solicited such assistance. Vt!IL1PlNo PROCLAMATION, i,"fascia,A3 telegram from "Washington on 5°ln p ays: —A telegram has been received J1 wate(j ^?eral Otis stating that a proclama- v-lit :t)o^tam ^ebruary 15, was issued oy »%'t c'rjnt- of the insurgent Govern- 0 ln^ng certain instructions which exe"uted in Manila on the evening fJirpr!if 15tl1 inst- TiL6 flrsfc Para- J th' 8o +>, tllat dispositions should be > ? »! at ei-iht o'clock the individuals et tmilitia should be united in of San Pedro, armed with stakes, ih^iu ns' anfi ammunition. The second W ot?5 oni^Vas the effect that Filipino i'v' wPf0 to be respected, and that t 0q^^ividnals should bo exterminated ^^sion after the extermination of t>, ^ccupation. The third paragraph v.V (lefenders the Philippines to ie,,3 an i arfl 'lt Bilidid, and liberate the v^H^rg convicts and arm them, saying: We must revenge ourselves on the V> h6 fcr +-Ild exterminate them, and take 4^ ^9 Pr> infamy and treachery which bm mmitted. We must have no com- !fi 'ih05 en attack them with vigour. All the t? irirtr Dlasse ^i'l aid you. Long live e o "?endence!" The fifth paragraph 'it ih'l'tia nfVr,0^ attack. The sixth directed fc)! Torido to start out at three in th • e Prociamation continued: — %S St<r dnty' our revenge will he ctim- °\v\€rs'.Europe contemplates us. We ''••,1 shedding our blood for the A liberty of our country. Death %e>.jCp War without quarter to the IJ. a leans, who deceive us. Either inde-

— t a- >in?t)orough Guardians on Wednes- ^tl^l plJor'ty of 23 to 17, decided to defy ^ih that vernment Beard, who had inti- 'i nn'ess the Wellingborough Board H vaccination, officer,' they should W compel them to make » i

LOCAL DIYOECE SUIT. THE FARMER'S WIFE AND THE LABOURER. In the Divorce Division on Wednesday (before Mr. Justice Barnes) the case of Williams v, Williams and Lewis was heard. This was a suit of Mr. Edward Williams, a yeoman, farmer, of Llan Usk, Monmouthshire, for a dissolution of his marriage witn tne respondent, Sylvena Mary Williams, nee Parker, on ci18 ground of her adultery with William Latvia, who had been a labourer in the peti- tioner's employment. The case was in the defended list, but the respondent and co-respon- dent withdrew from the defence. Mt. Priestley appeared for the petitioner and Mr. Barnard for the respondent. Mr. Priestley said that the petitioner and respondent were married on the 5th of May, 1886, at the parish church of Usk, Monmouth- shire, and there had been two children of the marriage. In January, 1898, the co-respon- dent went into the petitioner's service as a labourer, and in March the same year his sister, Jane Lewis, became a domestic servant at the house. After she had been there a little time she noticed that between her brother and Mrs. Williams there was considerable famili- arity. In June the petitioner returned home sooner than he was expected, and in the draw- ing-room he found his farm labourer sitting in a chair with his wife. He was in his shirt sleeves and had a glass of wine in his hand, and the respondent was pointing at some Dresden china on the cabinet. Petitioner at once dismissed him from his service, and, so far as he knew, the co-respondent did not come to the house again. Unfortunately, the respon- dent had become perfectly infatuated with this man, and she actually went so far as to get this young man into her bedroom at night when her husband was absent, and she let him out at three o'clock in the morning through the drawing-room window. The petitioner did not know anything about what was going on until his wife went away to Ilfra- combe in August. Some neighbours then gave him information, and he made inquiries. He questioned Jane Lewis, who was reluctant to say anything, but at last she told him what she knew, and that his wife and the co-respondent had been writing love-letters to one another. She spoke to having found a bundle of letters in her bro- ther's box from Mrs. Williams, in one of which respondent promised to make a will in favour of this man for £ 400, which she claimed to be entitled to as a marriage gift from her father. Some of the letters (said counsel) were of the most depraved character, and he did not pro- pose to read them. He would ask his lordship to look at one or two of them. In one letter she said that as soon as they could they must get married and go off together, and that she would make the will in his favour. The letters could bear only one interpretation. Mr. Edward Williams, the petitioner, gave evidence which substantially bore out counsel's statement. In cross-examination he said that he had ceased to be on speaking terms with his wife after the scene in the drawing-room. Replying to the judge, he said that he iden- tified the letters as being in his wife's hand- writing. His Loirdship asked Mr. Barnard what he had to say with regard to the letters. Mr. Barnard, after consulting with his client, said that, in view of the letters, she would not further defend the suit. The co-respondent, in reply to the judge, said he denied adultery, but he afterwards declined to go into the witness-box. Jane Lewis was called and spoke to two occasions on which she said her brother had been to the house at night and been with Mrs. Williams in her bedroom. Be had been let out about three o'clock in the morning through the drawing-room. His Lordship granted the petitioner a decree nisi, with co-ta against the respondent and co-respondent.

RE-CLAIMING INEBRIATES. A considerable number of those interested in the cure of habitual inebriates will like to have some more detailed information of the work at Lady Henry Somerset's Home near Reigate. The settlement is known as the Industrial Farm Colony, and it was opened in 1895, on lines which were believed to be scientific and sound; and to make, if possibly a sort of object lesson for the State. The farm con- sists of a colony village, built on the slopes of the hills of Surrey, and overlooking beauti- ful plains that stretch away for miles on either side. Here the little thatched cottages nestle as though they had been built for many years, forming a triangle round the green. On one side stands the hospital, and opposite the church, and in a meadow the long building called "The Children's Nest" faces the village. Far up the road, in its own grounds, is the Manor House, 'which has been opened for the reception of patients able to pay a larger fee. Perhaps the most important feature of the scheme is the arrangement for the recognition of the individual in the patient. Each little cottage contains six inhabitants and a nurse sister, who superintends the family. Gardening is one of the chief and most attrac- tive occupations upon which the minds of patients are centred. Miss Jessie Smith, of Swanley, being the superintendent and instruc- tress. Other interesting occupations are the weaving of fancy aprons, linens, and woollen dress materials. Already three looms are at work, and a very small additional grant of money would enable ,he committee to start a fourth.

ESCAPED LUNATIC ATTACKS HIS DAUGHTER. On Wednesday morning Reuben Dunham, who several days ago escaped from a lunatic asylum, appeared at the house of his married daughter, Mrs. Williams, 37, Shepperton-road, London, N., and, failing to find his wife, who had separated from him owing to threats against her life, made a murderous assault upon Mrs. Williams with a butcher's knife. The woman was stabbed in the breast and abdo- men, and lies in a dangerous condition. Dun- ham was arrested.

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT WOLVER. HAMPTON. Wolverhampton was the scene of a shocking tragedy about nine o'clock on Wednesday night. A boy named Samuel Hill, thirteen years of age, living with his parents in a suburb of the town, was quarrelling with his sister, a year older, and while the dispute was at its height he is alleged to have thrown a knife at her with such force that the weapon penetrated the girl's heart. She only lived a few minutes. The boy was taken to the police- station in a. state of utter collapse, and could only murmur in reply to questions, "Are you going to hang me?"

ALLEGED FRAUD ON NOBLEMEN. At Kingston on Wednesday John Spraggett, with several aliases, was further charged with defrauding Lord Valentia, Lord Willoughby de Broke, Lord North, and other noblemen. Additional evidence was given of his having obtained money from a tradesman in Kingston, and of his having cashed a cheque on a bank where he had no account.—Prisoner was com- mitted for trial,

KMLWAY CRASH IN BEL- GIUM. BRUSSEL'S EXPRESS MAIL IN COLLISION. 21 PERSONS KILLED AND 100 INJURED. A Central News telegram from Brussels on Saturday morning says:—A terrible collision occurred this morning between two trains, one being an express from Lille, at Forest, near Brussels. The accident happened at half-past eight, and many passengers are reported to have been killed, whilst a large number were wounded. A sub-editor of the newspaper "Petit Bleu" is amongst the wounded. A Central News telegram from Brussels on Saturday at eleven a.m. says :-Later details from Forest show that the railway accident this morning was one of the most terrible that have ever been experienced. The Belgian express train from Lille to Tournai was stand- ing stationary at the Forest Station, a dense fog prevailing at the time. The express train from Mons rushed into the station on the same line of metals, crashing carriage after carriage and creating euch a scene of confusion and wreck as can scarcely be conceived. The cries of the wounded were heartrending, and many pathetic incidents were witnessed when the wounded were being removed from the wreckage. Doctors were summoned from Brussels, and a large railway staff proceeded immediately to the spot. Amongst the killed were a young and prepossessing couple, who had only been married yesterday. Their deaths appear to have been instantaneous. Some French ladies were amongst the killed and wounded, but the great majority of the victims.are Belgians. It is not yet known whether there are any English or American travellers amongst the sufferers, but it is believed not. The full extent of the catas- trophe is not yet made known, but the present estimate is that twenty persons have been killed, and the wounded number nearly 100. Several of these are lying in a precarious condition. A DEATH-ROLL OF TWENTY-ONE. A later Renter's telegram from Brussels on Saturday says:-It has now been ascertained that the number of persons killed outright in the accident at the Forest Station was 21. None of them were of English nationality. The injured number about 100, eight or nine of whom are not expected to survive. The expla- nation now most generally accepted of the cause of the accident is that the local train from Tournai, which was ten minutes late, was overtaken by the Mons train, which, owing to the fog, passed the distant signal and crashed into the rear of the stationary train. The loco- motive of the express reared up and literally leaped upon the roof of the three rearmost carriages of the Tournai train, the driver not even having time to shut off steam. The three carriages were packed with people, and it is among these that most of the victims are to be found. The greater number were third-class passengers. The heavy engine broke through the roof of the crowded carriages and crumpled them up into an appalling and inextricable tangle of splintered wood, fractured metal, and human bodies. Six bodies were found inter- twined in the wheels of the locomotive. Help was promptly organised, and a relief train was despatched at the earliest possible moment from the Brussels (South) Station, while nine doctors, five priests, several members of the Red Cross Society and sisters of charity, and ten medical students assisted in the work of rescue and in caring for the injured. Some of the latter were taken to various estaminets near the scene of the accident, while others were conveyed to the hospital or to the Brussels (South) Station. Many of them refused to give their names for fear of causing alarm to their families. The spectacle of the dead and wounded, many of them partially buried in the wrecked train, was simply appalling. Here one saw an old man with his head completely crushed, there a man with his body bent double. In another place lay a young scholar with his class books strewn round him. A Government clerk had one eye torn out and his face flattened to a shapeless pulp. An official of the Cour des Comptes had all his teeth broken and his lips torn away. A little girl was scalped, though her body otherwise was uninjured. The greatest difficulty was experienced in extrica- ting the bodies crushed underneath the loco- motive. Some of these were eviscerated, and others were fearfully ma,ngled, one woman being cut completely in two. A governess was rescued alive after being buried for three hours beneath the engine, surrounded by three dead bodies. The engine-driver and stoker of the Tourna.i train are said to have escaped unin- jured, but rushed away across the country in a state bordering on madness, and have not been seen since. All the officials of the tele- scoped train escaped, but the eon of the stationmaster of Ruysbroeck, who was among the passengers, was killed. The Prefect of St. Michael's College, finding that fifteen of the I students were missing this morning, sent at once to the scene of the disaster. The train service from Brussels for Paris is being run by way of Baulers, and the Lille traffic is being sent via Enghein. By a sinister coinci- dence, an -accident happened at the Brussels (West) Station at the same time as the Forest disaster. Two goods trains collided, and a brakesman was killed, while three wagons were destroyed.

EXAMINATION OF DREYFUS. HE ASKS TO FACE HIS ACCUSERS. .The "Daily Telegraph" Cayenne correspon- dent who has interviewed M. Darius, the Public Prosecutor, on his return from the lie du Diable, in a telegram to his journal dated January 28. says: —Dreyfus remains absolutely mute upon certain questions. He is always in fear lest his replies should be misrepresented in transmission, and that he would not be able in any way to supplement his depositions in the presence of the Court of Cassation. He per-1 sists in maintaining that the famous phrase. addressed to Captain Lebrun-Renault, "If I have given some documents, it was in order to obtain some more important," has been utterly misconstrued, but refuses to enter into fuller detail. He reserves himself to reply and to furnish arguments when before the Court of Cassation at Paris and in the presence of his accusers, with whom he is most anxious to be brought face to face. The prisoner has been subjected to several interrogatories, but he has remained firm in his attitude of silence until h3 is brought before the Supreme Tribunal, and confronted with his accusers. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S REPORT. A Reuter's telegram from Paris on Wednes- day says:—The "Soir" announces that M. Manau, the Public Prosecutor, will submit his report towards the end of the week, and that he will apply to the Court of Cassation to annul the conviction of Dreyfus without send- ing back the case to be re-tried. If this announcement be correct, it would go to show that the Public Prosecutor, on the face of the evidence taken by the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation, not only considers Dreyfus to be innocent, but that the crifne of treason with which he was charged did not in point of fact exist, as. according to French law, the only case in which the Court of Cassation can quash a sentence without ordering a new trial is that in which there is proof that the alleged offence was never perpetrated.

THE; URfUCE: CASE. The Druce case was again before the courts on Friday. Justices Lawrance and Channell, sitting as a Divisional Court in the Queen's s Bench, heard arguments on the point whether the Home Secretary's licence was necessary before the body of T. C. Druce could be ex- humed from Highgate Cemetery, permission for which had been granted by Dr. Tristram, judge of the Consistory Court of London. Counsel for Mr. Druce said it was understood that the interveners had dropped their oppo- sition, but it had since been discovered that, oontrary to their undertaking, the interveners had gone behind Mrs. Druce's back, prejudiced the Home Office, and insisted that it would be a public scandal if exhumation were carried out; also that they had threatened the ceme- tery company. The only application to the Home Office in connection with this case was in 1897, when very little was known. Since then, however, many fresh facts had trans- pired, and he thought it highly probable if another application was made to the Home Secretary now the necessary licence would be granted. Their Lordships found that no authority had been cited to show that the Chancellor of the Consistory Court had any authority to order the body to be disinterred, while. admittedly, he had authority to grant leave for its being, subject to the assent of the direc- j tors of the cemetery company. The rule for- bidding the Chancellor to cite the cemetery company would, therefore, be made absolute.

ANOTHER, CRISIS IN CHINA, THE NORTHERN RAILWAYS QUESTION. BRITISH PRESTIGE IN DANGER. A Press Association special telegram from Peking, dated Monday, says:—The difficulties arising out cf the question of the directorate of the Northern Railways, of which the abrupt dismissal cf Hu Yu Fen, chief director, was arising out cf the question of the directorate of the Northern Railways, of which the abrupt dismissal cf Hu Yu Fen, chief director, was the immediate cause, have gradually increased, and now the situation has become so acute that it may almost be described as a crisis. IIu Yu Fen. who had for a long period success- fully c-or ducted the affairs of the Northern Railways was known throughout China as an honest official, though a patriotic Chinaman. Sir Claude MacDonald's dispatch to the Tsung- li-Yamen, declaring that no change could be allowed ct The railway directorate except with the concurrence of the syndicate, crossed the edict by which Hu Yu Fen was dismissed from office. That dispatch still remains un- altered. The trial of Hu Yu Fen, who is accused of maladministration, followed, and no steps were taken in the matter of the appointment of Chang Yi as his successor pending the termination of this inquiry. Mean- while Sir Claude MacDonald, by sending a second dispatch insisting upon an impartial investiga- tion of the charges, showed the Tsung-li- Yamen that the British Government was keenly interested in Hu's fate; The matter has now become acute, because the successful floating of the recent loan places in the hands of Hsu Ching Cheng and Chang Yi the disposal of two millions of British capital. There is no objection to the former, but there is proof that the objections to Chang Yi are not arbitrary or ill-founded, and there are grave reasons why he should not be allowed to dispose of this money. But, being a director, he, of course, possesses every right and advantage in determining to what extent foreign methods should be adopted. In November last Chang Yi was gazetted assistant director, but little notice was taken of this appointment at the time, since it gave him only subordinate powers. Very shortly afterwards, however, difficulties arose. Chang Yi made several startling proposals to Hu Yu Fen. One of these —as that Mr. Detring should be appointed a co-director; another waS that savings on the proposed extension works on the Niu- Chwang line should be effected by using inferior material, and that a, surplus should thus be created in order to enable the line to be extended in the direction where Chang Yi had been heavily speculating in land. These proposals were rejected. Chang Yi. therefore, to attain his ends used the undoubted influence which he possesses at the Palace, chiefly through the instrumentality of the eunuchs, to remove the principal obstacle to his schemes, and in this he fully succeeded. His dismissal from office now appears to be the only solution of the deadlock which he has brought about. Both on political and commercial grounds British prestige will be seriously affected if the chief instrument in the fall of Hu Yu Fen be allowed to triumph. From a commercial point of view, the whole question will stand as a precedent for arbitrary appointments in all cases where foreign capital is employed. The following objections, among others, are made to Chang Yi:—He is a director of the Kai Ping Mines, near the railway line to Shan Hai Kwan, and it would, therefore, be in his power to secure preferential rates, to the detri- ment of the railway earnings and of rival mines belonging to the railway administration in Nan Piao. He has, moreover, openly ex- pressed hostility to Mr. Kinder, and in his memorial to the Throne impeaching Hu Yu Fen he boldly proposed to modify the terms of the Hong Kong contract, accusing Mr. Kinder of assuming undue power. It is, therefore, evident that his accession to power will be the signal for a conflict with Mr. Kinder, whose success as chief engineer in managing the existing lines has been so great. In his memorial Chang Yi goes still further, repre- senting that the employment of British capital and labour upon tho •-sib. ay is a cause of standing complaint on part of the lius- sian Minister, and these grievances he commits himself to remedy in the only possible way, namely, by the dismissal of the British official. With regard to Hu Yu Fen, his re-instatement has become impossible, whatever the decision of the court of inquiry, since he refuses to return to the office of director. So far, there- fore, Chang Yi's triumph is complete, and British prestige here is seriously affected. Accordingly, Chang Yi's presence on the direc- torate is a menace to the well-being of the railway, and gives good ground for the fear that the money recently advanced by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank will not be pro- perly expended. The question, however, is still more far-reaching, affecting, as it does, the principle now claimed by all foreigners having business relations with China, that wherever foreign capital is employed the capitalists shall have a voice in the manage- ment of the concerns which are supported by their money.

DEATH AND THE DENIL. A CATHOLIC PRIEST AND HIS FEMALE PARISHIONRS, A Reuter's telegram from St. Petersburg on Tuesday says:—The trial began yesterday, in the criminal section of the district court of Father Belakieviez, the Catholic priest at Kovno, in Russian Poland, who is charged with having in hia fanatical zeal scourged and mal- treated some of his female parishioners as a punishment for their errors. The women, it was alleged, were taken down into vaults of the Church, where, apart from the physical chas- tisement inflicted on them, their superstitious fears were practised upon by means of appari- tions representing death and the devil. The Minister of Justice was himself present in court, and a large number of witnesses have been summoned. The public are excluded from the proceedings.

SULTAN OF OMAN OBEYS, BRITISH ULTIMATUM HAS PROMPT EFFECT. A Reuter's telegram from Bombay on Tues- day says:—The Sultan of Oman has revoked the grant of a coaling station to the French under the threat of a bombardment of the forts by the British admiral. Her Majesty's ships Eclipse, Sphinx, and Redbreast were in the port of Muscat at the time. The Sultan has caused to be posted up a proclamation to the foregoing effect, and has made a similar announcement in open durbar. The French protested. Everything is quiet at Muscat. The proclamation was well received by the natives.

FIGHTING AT IALIEMVAN. ONE HUNDRED CHINAJJEEN KILLED. A Reuter's telegram from Peking on Sunday says:—A conflict has occurred between the Russians and Chinese at Talienwan. About 100 of the Chinese were killed. The question of taxes is reported to have led to the collision. Particulars are wanting.

HOOLEY BANKRUPTCY. In connection with the Hooley bankruptcy the Press Association is informed that a private sitting was held at the London Bank- ruptcy-court on Tuesday for the private exami- nation of Mr. Fowler, one of the debtor's former solicitors, touching various matters. The debtor and one of his book-keepers have also been privately examined. A sitting has likewise been appointed for the privato exami- nation of Mr. Kemp Welch and Mr. Keymer, whom Mr. Hooley alleged had received £ 55,00;} in connection with the promotion of Schweppes (Limited). It is proposed to inquire into this and other transactions at the sitting. A number of examinations have been held out of court, as the result of which several motions have been set down for hearing before Mr. Justice Wright on his return from circuit.

"I LOVE MY REGIMENT." A grey-haired old man of exceptionally fine physique, named Charles O'Connor, described as an old soldier, was, at Marylebone Police- court on Monday, charged (before Mr. Plowden) —by no means for the first time—with the triple offence of being drunk and disorderly and using obscene language. He was at once recognised by the magistrate, who inquired what he had to say in his defence^ this time. "Well, yer honour," he replied, "if I make a paltry excuse you'll only despise me." Mr. Plowden: Oh, no. I shall despise the excuse. (Laughter.) O'Connor: Well, the only reason I can give your honour is that I am very fond of my regiment, and a man said something about it. I have been a soldier, and I love my regiment as I love my heart. The magistrate sentenced him to twenty-one days' imprisonment.

THE YILLAGE TRAGEDY, ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Miss Peterson was charged at Cranbrook on Tuesday with the murder of John Whibley. Mr. S. Pearce prosecuted, and Mr. C. F. Gill, Q.C., and Mr. H. C. Gollan (instructed by Mr. George Hamilton) defended. The court was packed as prisoner, dressed as on the previous occasion, walked unconcernedly to the dock. She carried a bunch of blue violets and lilies of the valley. Seating herself near the atten- dant, she took n calm, comprehensive survey of the bench, officials, and public, and fre- quently turned to smile at someone in court. In opening the case Mr. Pearce traced Miss Peterson's history and connection with the deceased. He said in 1893 they quarrelled, and the relationship between the parties was strained until 1897. The learned gentleman then read correspondence which had passed between them. In one letter Whibley denied certain imputations against his character, and in the letters written by accused since the crime she stated that "God had told her to do it," and "That He gave her strength to do it." She also said, "She had done something for the sake of little girls, and was quite ready to die." Mr. Whibley, father of deceased, spoke to his son receiving a letter inviting him to go to the school to forgive Miss Peterson. The Rev. W. Craven, curate-in-charge, repeated the evidence given at the inquest, and said that after Whibley fell prisoner appeared quite calm. Witness ran for Afx. Houghton, whilst accused stood looking at the body. Cross-examined: Witness used to live at the Rectory, and he formed the opinion that prisoner was a person of extreme religious views. He considered her somewhat eccentric, and understood she was much interested in the sub- ject of purity, but he had never discussed the cubject with her. Evidence as to the commission of the crime followed. Mr. Houghton said prisoner after- wards gave him the revolver, and a saddler, who detained Miss Peterson, said she told him she had committed the crime to protect little children. She added, "A woman is justified in killing the man, but a little child is not able," Dr. Bate deposed that to his knowledge pri- soner was extremely eccentric, and decidedly emotional. She had expressed to witness's wife great interest in the White Cross League. He could not say she was insane, but she was bordering on it. He knew Mrs. Peterson, prisoner's mother, who was subject to epilepsy, and witness was called in when she died through falling on the fire. Miss Goold, of Nottingham, to whom some of the letters read by counsel were addressed, said she attended an inquiry into the allega- tions made against Whibley, who was ques- tioned by prisoner. Witness took notes, and also asked Whibley some questions. The only persons present at the inquiry were deceased, prisoner, and witness, and towards the end a servant, named Cooper, came in. As the result of the inquiry, letters were written to the Arch- bishop of Canterbury, the rural dean, the churchwarden, and others. Miss Goold said prisoner was quite sincere in all she said and elid, and witness believed her to be affectionate, kind-hearted, and good. Adelaide Oliver, a friend of prisoner's, proved receiving a letter from Miss Peterson, in which she said that Sodom and Gomorrah seemed to hang over Biddenden, as crimes were not punished. Miss Connell, lady superintendent of the Dux- hurst Homes for Inebriates at Reigate, said prisoner had been cottage matron there, out was given notice, which expired on the 1st inst. During the later part of prisoner's time witness was much concerned as to her mental condi- lion, and, when prisoner spoke to witness upon the subject of the alleged assault, witness endeavoured to calm her. Since the crime prisoner had written witness saying she was quite contented and happy. The Rev. Henry Arthur Hall, chaplain at Duxhurst, informed the court that he had come to the conclusion that prisoner's mind wa.s affected. Evidence was given as to the purchase of a revolver at the Junior Army and Navy Stores by prisoner, and also as to her practicing shoot- ing at Egerton. Mr. Thirkell, of Biddenden, said Miss Peter- son told him she had invited deceased to meet her and others at school to settle differences. Superintendent Fowle said he found amongst prisoner's belongings at Biddenden a copy of "The Maiden Tribute to Modern Babylon" and a copy of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. At the conclusion of the evidence prisoner said there was no malice, and the deed could not be called murder. Witnesses having been called for the defence to prove insanity in the family, Accused was committed for trial.

TEXT OF THE MALE VICTIM'S LETTER. The following is the letter written by Charles Stephenson. "My dear Father and Mother,-By the time this reaches you I shall be no more to you in this world. It grieves me to inflict on you such pain; but the ways of God are not those of man. I have been a victim to misfortune through no direct fault of my own, but rhe true secret of the misfortune mast ever remain unknown to anyone in this world. To-night I have told Annie all; and, like the good, true girl she has always been, she is ready to share my fate. Life to her without me would be a burden, impossible to bear; so we shall end our lives together now that it is impossible to live in happiness. Forgive us and forget us or think of us kindly, as it has always been our fortune to know such was the case, and paru jn us for inflicting on you such pain in your old age." The letter concludes with bidding farewell to all, and a request that they should be juried together.

TRAGEDY IN AN EDINBURGH HOTEL. A shocking tragedy was brought to light in one of the fashionable hotels in Princes-street, Edinburgh, in which a pair, presumably lovers, put an end to themselves. It appears that a well-dressed man arrived at the hotel on Wed- nsday morning, and engaged a room for two, stating that his wife was arriving later in the day. He called several times at the hotel during the day to inquire for telegrams, and in the evening a lady arrived with a large quantity of luggage. The two occupied the same room that night, and breakfasted together on Thursday, afterwards going out to visit several places, in the afternoon they returned and proceeded to their room, and, as no appearance was made by them in the evening, suspicions were aroused. No response being made to repeated calls, the floor was tried, but found to be locked. En- trance, however, was effected, and the two were found in bed with their clothes on, quite dead. The lady was wearing a pair of gloves. A razor lay beside the gentleman, and. it is sup- posed, that he first killed his companion, and then committed suicide. In the gentleman's pocket-book was a letter which contained a request that his parents should be communi- cated with, and also his sweetheart's brother, and asking that the matter should be kept as quiet as possible, so as to avoid newspaper pub- lication. Both resided at Peterhead, and it is surmised that they were on the eve of marriage. Their names are Stevenson and Annie Florence. It seems that Stevenson was 31, and was a traveller to a firm of Jewellers in London. He was a native of Peterhead, and visited the town a fortnight ago, but his reason for doing so was inexplicable. It has been sus- pected that he was suffering from mental aberration. Miss Florence also belonged to P--terhead, and was with Stevenson when he visited the town. She was 27. They appeared to be on very affectionate terms, and were seen in Peterhead together on Tuesday. The couple, who were greatly respected in the town, had been engaged for some time, and were to have been married in the course of the summer. The brother of Miss Florence arrived in Edinburgh on Friday night, and identified the bodies. He stated that his sister and Stevenson had been engaged for the past twenty months, and were to be married at Easter. Last Wednesday Miss Florence received a letter from Mr. Stevenson stating that he was in Edinburgh making arrangements for acquir- ing a business, and asking her to come to Edin- burgh so that they might be married before the business was started. Her brother advised her to go, and she telegraphed from Edin- burgh on Wednesday night stating she had arrived safely. The next they heard was of her tragic death. Captain Robinson, of the ship Sweet Home, says he understood the parties were to have been married immediately in Edinburgh. He himself was to be the best man.

A77DREE EXPEDITIONS. A Central News telegram from Krasnojarsk on Monday says: —The reports from the two search parties have been received. The officer in charge of the search along the Pit River, in the Northern Yenesei district, states that nothing was found confirming the rumours current in the Tungus tribes. A second search party is returning with no news of the Andree expedition. The authorities have no intention of prosecuting inquiries when the Pit River party, concludes its search.

EARL'S BROTHER AND HIS ACTRESS WIFE, A PITIFUL CONFESSION. In the Divorce Division on Tuesday afternoon (before Mr. Justice Barnes) the case of Lamb- ton v. Lambton, Pedro Berridge, and Biondi came on for hearing. This was a suit of the Hon. D'Arcy Lambton, a brother of the Earl of Durham, for a dissolution of marriage on the ground of the adultery of his wife, whose maiden name was Florence Ethel Sproule, and was formerly an actress in Australia, with the cc-respandents. Mr. Inderwick, Q.C.. in opening the case, said that the petitioner joined the Royal Navy in 1879, and in 1838, he then being a sub-lieutenant, was with his ship in New South Wales. He there made the acquaintance of the respondent, Florence Ethel Sproule, as she then was, who was engaged at a theatre. He seemed to have become very much attached to her, and in the result, on the 14th of June, 1888, they were married at an English church in Sydney. After- wards they came to this country, and lived together until 1898. At the time they were married she represented that she was a person of good family, that she had some small means of her own, and that she was expecting a considerable accession of property at some future time. They came to England in the early part of 1890. She made various represen- tations as to her family, and that she had come into £ 400 or £ 500 a year, and on the faith of that he introduced her to h:s banker, and opened a private account for her. opened a private account tor her. She afterwards went away to see her mother, who she said was ill, and Mr. Lambton gave her money for that purpose. He himself never had any suspicion of her conduct. She appeared ti have been kind, and to have been attached to him, and he was attached to her. It now appeared that during the whole of the time nearly that she was in England she had been carrying on an adulterous intercourse with one of the co-respondents, Mr. Berridge, whose acquaintance Mr. Lambton had made in Paris in 1892. She had been away, and he had. a letter from her, saying that she had been taken extremely ill, and was in a hotel at Paris. He immediately left England and went to Paris and found his wife staying at the Hotel Continental. She had tried to take poison, and was in a melancholy position. He there made the acquaintance of Mr. Berridge, who said that he was coming from Monte Carlo by the same train with her and others, and that she had been taken ill, and that he had telegraphed for the petitioner and stayed there until he had come. Mr. Berridge had afterwards visited him in England. In the course of the spring of last year it came to Lord Durham's ears that this lady was conducting herself in such a way as to be notorious, and ho thought it his duty to speak to Mr. Lambton, his brother, about it. He (Lord Durham) had the greatest difficulty in persuading Mr. Lambton that anything could be said against his wife. However, he even- tually put himself in his brother's hands, and inquiries were made, and it was found that adultery had been committed with Mr. Berridge. He had, it appeared, taken a house, and used to meet her there. Mr. Lambton then spoke to his wife, and asked her whether it was true or not. She said it was not entirely true, but that some of the information he had about her was true. The next day she left the house. Then she wrote a letter to him, in which she said:—" I have been away all night thinking so uch about this awful business-so much so at I think I shall go mad unless I tell you everything. When you know the full history of a miserable life you will say that I have been punished enough, and, for the sake of Eilien (their child), you will do nothing. The things I will tell you can be proved. I think ten years of misery quite enough punishment. You might despise me, you might pity me, but nothing can matter. But when you read my confession and the truth you will not wonder why I have so often tried to put an end to my life. There is no one to blame but myself, so why should anyone suffer. But I am so sorry for you. daddy. en years ago I began with a lie, but I have suffered for it. I have not very long to live, so don't be harder than you can help. I should like to see the kid again if only for five minutes. If you only knew how much I have been punished. You will pity me when you know all if it is any satisfaction for anyone to know we are really starving." Then came a confession which ran:—"My confession of my guilt is about the greatest punishment of my life. I began by telling you a lie. I told you lies about my birth, because when I married you I was poor, and when I found out that you were better than myself I made things worse by making out that I was much better born than I was. I told yont had money. That was a lie, and I was expecting more when I came of age. Why I should have gone on telling such lies I cannot imagine. I ought to have told you the truth from the first, and, like a coward and a liar, I was vile enough to lie about my own mother. I told lies about Nellie (her sister) because I was jealous of her ,and was afraid of the only man I ever really loved caring for her. There is no excuse for me. I am guilty of nearly all the vile things they say about me. I would, if it were possible, begin a new life somewhere where I was not known. The fraud of my life has made me take to drink. My father was a drunkard. After telling you such lies about money, I had to try and get it somehow. You will understand now why I could never feel at home with your people. I knew what a living lie I was. What with drink and extravagance I have fallen very low. I have not teen true to Berridge, even though it hurt, you very much to say it. I have always respected you, and, perhaps, might have loved yeu. but I knew you would despise my low birth if you knew. If I could only have a chance of being good again I would jump at it. I would give the world to undo what I have done. I am guilty, and there is no more to be said, but do have mercy on me. and let me go away anywhere. I shall go mad if I stay here any longer. I will never tell anybody that I have been your wife." Mr. Inderwick said that Mr. Berridge was a gentleman of means, and had a place in Ireland. In reply to the Judge, he said he proposed only to prove the case against Mr. Berridge, a.nd he did not think it would be necessary to go into the other cases. Mr. Priestley, who appeared for Mr. Berridge, intimated that he would not. contest the suit. The Hon. D'Arcy Lambton then gave evidence in support of counsel's statement. He said that his brother, the Earl of Durham, made a communication to him in reference to the respondent, and that led him to make inquiries and to bring the present suit. Annie Blackman, who had been a servant at a house in Chelsea, said that she had seen Mr. Berridge visit Mrs. Lambton there. He was alone with her in her room. That took place on a number of occasions. His Lordship on this granted the petitioner a decree nii for the dissolution of the mar- riage on the ground of the respondent's adul- tery with Mr. Berridge, with costs, and ordered that the petitioner should have custody of the child of the marriage.

MISSING POLICEMAN FRIOI DOWLAIS. IN A WRECK OFF WATERFORD. The missing policeman from Dowlais has been found, and if his disappearance was mysterious, his discovery is still more strange. For while his friends were scouring the country for him, Police-constable Philip Evans was on sea, but the ship was wrecked on Saturday, and had to put in to Waterford on Monday. Evans is a man of forty-eight, and his strange behaviour is accounted for by the statement that his mind is apparently unhinged. His discovery was made known on Monday morning by the following telegram from Waterford to Police-inspector Cooke, Dowlais:—"Philip Evans here; apparently un- hinged in mind; bottle of poison sold by Rees, chemist, in his possession. States he belongs to police Treharris. Arrived by steamship Pem- broke, wrecked yesterday. Is anything known of him? Will friends come to look after him?- Nicholls, G.W.R., Waterford." The Pembroke is one of the Great Western Railway Company's mail steamers from Milford to Waterford, and ran ashore on Saturday morning on Patrick's Bridge, a ridge of rocks between the North Saltee Island and the mainland. The passen- gers, amongst whom was Evans, and the mails were landed at Kilmore, County Waterford, by the steamer's boats and the Kihnore life- boat. A brother of Evans, living at Porth, has gone to Ireland to fetch him back. The com- rades of the constable at Dowlais had not. it appears, noticed anything strange in his demeanour.

The Midland Railway Company have inti- mated that facilities will be afforded, free of charge, to employes desirous of making invest- ment in the company's stocks of sums of not less than £ 10.

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RITUALISM IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, ADDRESS BY A CARMARTHEN BAPTIST MINISTER. Sunday being the seventh anniversary of the Rev. A. Fuller Mills's pastorate at the English Baptist Chapel, Carmarthen, the rev. gentleman took advantage of the presence of an unusually large congregation in the evening to deliver an address on Ritualism instead of the usual sermon. "In reality," he said, "the question was not one of ecclesiastical millinery and mummery, but it was that which lay behind and underneath. It was this: The impudent assumption that there is an order of men in the world to whom had descended from Christ, the God-man, supernatural powers not possessed outside the line of descent. It was a question of a human priesthood and sacraments which took the place, as they affirmed, of Christ and His authority. This undermined Christianity- it undermined Protestantism. They were the scouts of Romanism. He condemned them becauso they were not honest, and because they were law-breakers. They ought, no less than any other civil servant, to be punished, not for their opinions, but for breaking the law, and the best punishment that could be meted out to them would be for the nation to demand that they should relinquish their charges and emoluments, and establish them- selves, or permit the Holy Father to establish them, and pay for theit millinery and incense. MR. FILLINGHAM CREATES A SCENE AT ST. P ÜÚiS. There was a scene at St. Paul's on Tuesday morning, when the Rev. Robert Fillingham pro- tested against Father Dolling's preaching in the cathedral. Mr. Fillingham. at the commence- ment of the service, rose and read the following protest:—"I. Robert Charles Fillingham, a con- firmed clergyman of the Church of England, do solemnly protest against the presence of the Rev. R. R. Dolling in the pulpit of this Protes- tant Cathedral on the ground that he is a noto- rious depraver of the Book of Common Prayer, having celebrated and justified the celebration of masses for the dead, contrary to the 31st Article." There was some scene at the close, Mr. Fillingham being conducted to the door by the vergers, a number of his adherents leaving the cathedral with him. There were renewed anti-Ritualistic demon- strations at Peterborough on Sunday night. The leaders of the movement, however, failed to appear, and the crowd amused itself by hustling well-known cathedral sidesmen.

ROYALTY AT OMDURMAN. ARRIVAL OF THE DUKE OF CON} NAUGHT. A Renter's telegram from Omdurman on Monday says:—The Duke and Duchess of Con- naught arrived here at seven o'clock yesterday evening, and landed this morning. The natives were enthusiastic in their.welcome to the Royal visitors, and the city was profusely decorated in their honour. Their Royal Highnesses first reviewed the troops, who were drawn up 9,000 strong of all ranks, under the command of the Sirdar. The review over, their Royal High- nesses went to breakfast at the Sirdar's house, and afterwards held a Levee of officers of the garrison and notables of the city. Several addresses of welcome were presented to the Duke, who replied, expressing his gratification at the way in which he had been received and the pleasure he felt at being amongst them. After the Levee the Duke and Duchess rode round the city, and inspected the market, the Mahdi's tomb, and the Khalifa's house. Before returning his Royal Highnees visited the hos- pital. In the afternoon the Royal party pro- ceeded to Khartoum, where they were received by a gtLtLrd I 6f" hdnottrl of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. After visiting Gordon's Palace and other points of interest, they went for a short distance up the White Nile. returning to dine at Omdurman with the Sirdar. In the evening there was a display of fireworks for the troops and inhabitants. The Duke of Connaught directed the Sirdar to communicate to the troops his appreciation of their appearance on parade after the arduous work they had gone through during the recent campaign against the Dervishes. The visit of their Royal High- nesses has been a great success, and politically of great advantage.

MILL1VALL DOCK COMPANY SENSATIONAL DISAPPEARANCE OF THE CHAIRMAN. The Press Association states that two officials of the Millwall Dock Company have been sus- pended pending an investigation of the affairs of the company. The report of the directors, to be submitted to the sixty-ninth half-yearly meeting of shareholders to be held on February 27. states that the chairman of the company, Mr. Birt.who had held that position for the last .five years and a half, and had previously been the general manager for about a quarter of a century, had been chiefly instrumental in the building up of the business on the docks, and possessed the fullest confidence, not only of his colleagues, but also of the shareholders at uarge, had disappeared on the eve of the issue of the half-yearly report and accounts, having falsified, as now appears, for a num- ber of years the company's talauce-theets export rates and rates on goods and in their most important item, "import and export rates and rates on goods and ada shipping due to the company. This itm, it is added, bad been constantly on the increase, and last June stood at zEI32,100 When the accounts for the last half-year were presented to the board on February 6 Mr. Birt was < absent through illness, and the board, in view of a further increase in the item of outstand. ing rents and rates, decided that a thorough investigation of it was desirable. This vai communicated to Mr. Birt on the 8th inst., and on the following morning be left b's home and has not been heard of since. The direc- tors propose to go to Parliament for powers to charge the ascertained deficiency of about L220,000 to the capital account. By this plan the payment of dividends might, it is hoped, be resumed at an early date.

THE OUTRAGE AT BLAKENEY PRISONER BEFORE THUS MAGISTRATES. Moses Virgo, collier, of Blakeney Hill, was brought up in custody at Littledean Police- court on Friday charged with damaging the dwelling-house occupied by Henry Davies ("Taffy"), fisherman, by exploding dynamite. —Mr. Frank Treasure, of Gloucester, who prosecuted, stated that since he had arrived at Littledean he had spoken to Davies. who gave information to the police, and in the light of a statement received from the superintendent, who had made inquiries at Mitcheldean, which was that prisoner had slept at the White Horse Hotel there all night, he asked the justices' permission not to offer any evidence. —This the justices agreed to.—Virgo and his father somewhat excitedly asked the court to grant their witnesses' expenses. It was stated that when prisoner was arrested the police were told that they were at Mitcheldean on the night in question.—The justices, however, refused to allow the fees.

GREEK ELECTIONS. 0\. Central News telegram from Athens on Monday morning says:-The eiections have resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Tricoupists, under M. Theotoki, who secured over a hundred seats out of the 237 contested. M. Delyannis returns to Parliament with the num- ber of his followers reduced by nine-tenths. Delyannis returns to Parliament with the num- ber of his followers reduced by nine-tenths. Every Delyannist candidate was rejected in Athens. All the Ministers have been elected. A Reuter's telegram from Athens on Monday says:-M. Ralli has been returned for Athens, while M. Skouzes, ex-Minister for Foreign Affairs, who stood as a Delyannist, has been defeatofc