South Wales Daily News

RELIGIOUS RIOTS IN INDIA. CALCUTTA, Tuesday. -Letters received here state that the cow killing riots at Azimgurh are serious, and that the disturbances are not yet at an end. The dead and wounded are being brought to almost every police-station 111 the district, and a detachment of native troops has been despatched to the scene of disorders. The Commissioner is striving to allay the ill-feeling between the hostile parties.—Renter.

PARLIAMENTARY WHIPS IN I A DILEMMA. The Press Association says that at the close of the division on Capt. Naylor Leyland's amend- ment in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening, which was rejected by 48, the whips on each side were observed beyond the bar appa-f rently engaged in controversy. It afterwards transpired that although the division bells began to ring at 10 minutes before 10, several members who had been paired down to 10 o'clock recorded their votes. Mr Gladstone, who had paired until 10 o'clock, refrained from voting, and so did Sir William Marriott, but it is stated that the member with whom the latter paired did vote, and so did at least two other Liberals. It is rumoured that several Conservatives who had been paired also voted, but many certainly abstained in accordance with the advice of their whips, as also did a number of Gladstomans.

OPENING OF THE GERMAN REICHSTAG. THE KAISER ON THE ARMY BILL. BERLIN, Tuesday Afternoon.—The first Session of the newly-elected Reichstag was opened to-day in person by the Emperor William, who, in his speechfrom the throne, expressed r,gret at the action of the late Reichstag in rejecting the Army Bill. It was impossible for the empire to abandon the work of developing its military resources, and, therefore, it became imperatively ne- cessary to dissolve the Reichstag. The political situation in Europe had not changed. The situation of Germany with other States were absolutely friendly and free from any clouds, but the proportion of Germany's military forces had grown steadily more unfavourable compared with those of her neighbours. Bearing in mind the steady progress made in such matters by other countries the development of Germany's army was absolutely necessary. As German Emperor it was his duty to do all in his power to defend the Fatherland, and, therefore, he hoped that the new Reichstag would pass the Army Bill with the utmost celerity in order that the recruits required might be drafted to the colours during the present year. In conclusion, his Majesty made an eloquent appeal to the patriotism of all members of the House to main- tain that which had been won for the inde- pendence of Germany. They could only fulfil that duty by making the country strong enough to remain as at present, the guarantor of the peace of Europe. To-morrow it is expected the Reich- stag will re-elect Ferr Von Levetzow as President, with Baron Buol-Berenberg, a Centrist from Baden, as first Vice-President, and Herr Mar- quardsen. National Liberal, as second Vice- President.-Centml News.

HOME RULE BILL. ANOTHER STORMY SITTING. A SUCCESSION OF EXCITING SCENES MR DILLON MAKES A PERSONAL EXPLANATION. COWARDLY ATTACK ON THE IRISH MEMBERS. SPIRITED REPLY BY MR SEXTON. BASE CHARGES WARMLY REPELLED INDIGNANT PROTEST BY MR GLADSTONE. A CASTIGATION FOR MR ARNOLD FORSTER. On Tuesday evening in the House of Commons, Mr JOHN DILLON asked the indulgence of the House that he might say a few words in explana- tion of what occurred in committee on the pre- vious night. In the first place he owed an apology to the House for the error into which he feU. (Hear, hear, and cries of "order.") When the right hon. gentleman (Mr Chamberlain) gave the reference to the old speech from which he quoted, he (Mr Dillon) read the report of the speech, and noted the passage which modified tile effect of the extract read. The impression convoyed to his mind was that in that speech he alluded to the incident related yesterday. He could offer no explanation of bow that impres- sion arose in his mind, except that it might be from the fact that in the subsequent autumn and after the Mitchelstown incident he made another speech of the same character, and somehow the two speeches delivered six years ago became mixed in his recollection. (Hear.) Then he threw aside the newspaper; and, well accustomed as he long had been to these personal attacks, he thought the matter of not sufficient importance to justify him in wasting the time of the House with an explanation, and the whole matter passed out of his mind until on the previous night the right hon. gentleman renewed his challenge, and then it was that; he (Mr Dillon), without investi- gation and speaking from memory, was betrayed into a gross mistake, but every member must adm;t on reflection that it was in good faith he tell into the mistake. (Ministerial cheers.) It was perfectly obvious that it would be impossible for him, in the face of the House, to successfully palm off such a story, carrying on the face of it its own refutation. How could he be guilty of wilfully making such a mis-statement, laying himteelf open to refutation on the spot? (Hear, hear.) He had neglected to re- fresh his memory, and the only defence for that carelessness was that his memory was, as a rule, extremely faithful, but on this occasion it had failed him. He earnestly assured the House that he had spoken in perfect good faith and without the slightest inteution to mis- lead hon. members, and he hoped that every member on either side would accept that assurance. (Hear, hear.) Other extracts had been read trom old speeches, and probably others would be read. He might be allowed to take that opportunity of disposing of the matter in a few sentences. During the course of those ten years he had delivered 500 or 600 under cir- cumstances of great excitement, and when members of the Nationalist party, in the dis- charge of what they considered to be their duty, were subjected to acts of extraordinary and un- constitutional violence. Mr T. W. RUSSELL rose to order amid cries of "Order" from the Irish members, and asked was not the hon. member now departing from that personal explanation he was entitled to make? (Hear.) Mr SEXTON, on the point of order, reminded the Speaker that more than one extract had been read and made the basis of a general charge which his hon. friend desirFd to disprove. The SPEAKER directed Mr Dillon to pursue his personal explanation, avoiding any recrimination or revival of the scene in committee. (Hear.) Mr DILLON, proceedimr, said that during his temporary absence yesterday other passages were read from his old speeches, and of such he had only to say that, witnessing and hearing of many acts of violence committed against their people, the leaders of the National party would have been more or less than human if, in their lan- guage, they had always been so moderate as to escape the condemnation of hon. members near him but he denied that he then or now enter- tained purposes of revenge against those who had opposed, (Hear, hear, and "Oh. ) He denied it. and ho fair man who made due allowance for all the circumstances would find in old speeches justification for such a charge. la some 600 speeches there would be found passages marked by signs of the jjolitical heat and pasion of the time but his record in that resp<=ct would bear not unfavourable comparison with that of any man who had gone through the stress of similar political excitement. (Hear, hear.) Mr HARRINGTON then rose and desired to make a personal explanation. He was met with mingled cheers and cries of impatience as he pro- ceeded to substantiate his statement of the pre- vious night, which Mr Chamberlain had con- tradicted. Mr T. W, ROSSELL Have you given him notice 1 (Hear, hear.) Mr HARRINGTON had not, and was about to read the letter from which he had previously quoted, when Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL rose to order, and asked, Should the hon. member proceed in the absence of the right hon. gentleman (Mr Cham- berlain) ? The SPEAKER confessed he did not know what the hon. member waji alluding to. He had. how- ever, spoken of a personal explanation, and that he vvas entitled to make. (Hear, hear.) Mr HARRINGTON explained that the accuracy of his references to Mr Chamberlain's letter to Mr Dignan having been questioned, he wished to read extracts from the letter. Mr A. J. BALFOUR rose to order. (Hear, hear.) This was a qllestlOn of accuracy of statement, and surely the accuracy of the right lion gentleman should not be attacked in his absence. (Hear, hear.) Other members rose to order, but the SPEAKER said there was no point of order to raise. But there must be norecriminationin the explanation. Mr HARRINGTON then proceeded to read from Mr Chamberlain's letter, in which the right hon. gentleman expressed himself favourable to "a far-reaching system of Irish local government," and declared his opinion that many matters, in- cluding education and the land, could not be satisfacoorily dealt wIth oy an Imperial Parha- ment. (H(jar, and cheers.) Mr COURTNKY then rose, considering it his duty to put the Hou:8 in pussbssion of tile real facts. Ho was met with many interruptions and calls of Order." The SPEAKER, interposing, said he was quite ignorant of the circumstances,and Wished to know how the veracity ot the hon. member was Im- pugned and how it was connected with the letter he had just read. Mr HARRINGTON explained that when he quoted the letter from memory he was con- tradicted, and therefore he gave the actual words of the letter. Mr COURTNEY then proceeded to recall the incidents of the discussion in committee in de- fence of his absent friend (Mr Chamberlain), but met with so much interruption that the Speaker again intervened and said that as the right hon. gentleman was absent the House possibly would not think it improper to hear the explanation of a colleague. (Cheers.) Mr COURTNEY then quoted a newspaper report of the proceedings in committee, during which Mr Austen Chamberlain whispered a few words and handed a telegram. The SPEAKER said he really did not think it was necessary to pursue the matter. It would be impossible to go over the whole debate in com- mittee. (Cheers.) Mr COURTNEY said he only desired to read a short telegram. At that moment Mr Chamberlain entered. He Was received with cheers, and at once Mr Courtney gave way to him. Mr CHAMBERLAIN I have not been in the House long enough to hear what has taken place, but a. telegram has been put into my hand addressed to myself in these words:—" I have read your statement in the Daily Post. It Is true. and singularly accurate. — Dignan." (Loud cheers.) With this the incident closed. THE COMMITTED STAGE. The House then again went into committee on the Government of Ireland Bill, resuming the discussion on the 5th clause. Mr ARNOLD FORSTER continued the observa- tions he was making at the close of the previous evening's proceedings in support of his motion to insert in the clause a proviso, that the preroga- tive of mercy shall not be exercised by the Lord-Lieutenant on behalf of her Majesty except upon the advice of her Majesty's principal Secretary of State.' It was most unlikely that an Irish Viceroy, act- ing upon the advice of Irish Ministers, would exercise the prerogative of mercy in a manner which we should consider just or reasonable. Even the member for North Kerry (Mr Sexton) had been a member of a body some of whose members had left the country to escape the criminal law, one of them having had a true bill for wilful murder returned against him. Mr SEXTON hereupon rose and challenged the hon. member to prove that he had ever had any guilty knowledge of crime. (Nationalist cheers.) Mr FORSTKR, resuming, said the facts were these, and the committee might form its own judgment upon them. Week after week the executive committee of this body met. Hon. f members opposite were members of this confi- dential committee, and in the intervals of their meetings Boyton,Brennan,and Sheridan went out organising, and wherever these gentlemen went they left a track of blood. (Nationalist murmur- wars.) The confidential transactions of this com- nlittee had never seen the light, because for a whole day the officials of the committee were occupied in destroying such documents as they could not take out of the kingdom. (Renewed Nationalist murmurs.) The CHAIRMAN I think the hon. gentleman is going too far in making these general statements. I hope he will confine himself to the amendment. (Ministerial and Nationalist cheers.) Mr SEXTON complained that the hon. member had accused him of a gutlty knowledge. (Nationalist cheers.) Mr FORSTER said he had endeavoured not to travel beyond his amendment. He wanted to show the relations between hon. members oppo- site and persons who had fled the country. The Special Commission that sat on the subject found that they incited intimidation, and the conse- quence was The CHAIRMAN The hon. member must con- fine himself to the amendment, and I hope he will attend to my ruling. (Nationalist cheers.) V A SEXTON I was examined on oath before the Special Commission by the present Attorney- treneral (Sir C. Russell), and it was never suggested that I had any guilty knowledge of crime. The whole thing (said the hon. member with warmth) from beginning to end is. absolutely false. (Loud Nationalist cheers.) The CHAIRMAN reminded the hon. member (Mr Sexton) that it was not in order for him to discuss what he had ruled to b° out of order. Mr FORSTKR contended that the exercise of the prerogative of mercy could not safely be left to the Irish party. Mr SEXTON (again rising) This is not the first time the hon. member opposite (Opposi- tion c-les of Order and Chair.") Mr A. JOHNSTON I rise to order, sir. I wish to know whether the hon. member can go into a question which the hon. member for West Belfast (Mr Arnold Forster) has been prevented from entering into? The CHAIRMAN said it was not in order to dis- cuss matters which he had ruled out of order, but he did not wish to stop Mr Sexton if he had any- thing to add. Mr CHAMBERLAIN I rise to order. I ask as a member of order whether if the hon. member makes a statement impugning the veracity of my hon. friend you will give him permission to reply ? (Opposition cheers.^ The CHAIRMAN I have already indicated the course I think the hon. member for West Belfast (Mr Forster) ought to take. He has taken that course, and I think the incident ought now to terminate. (Nationalist cries of "Oil.") Mr SEXTON pointed out the hon. member had made assertions- (Opposition cries of Order and Chair.") Was a man who was attacked not to be allowed to reply ? I intend to defend myself," added Mr Sexton, fiercely. Mr GOSCHRN I can quite understand the hon. member wishes to reply, but let us understand how far he is to go. If the hon. member insists on replying, notwithstanding your ruling, sir, then I trust it will be in order for my hon. friend (Mr Forster) to reply. The CHAIRMAN I understand that the hon. member for Kerry denies the imputation made upon him. I have stopped the hon. member for West Belfast from going into these matters at all, and I think it would hardly be in order for any further discussion on them to take place. Mr SKXTON The hon. member opposite has i presented us with a picture. He has spoken of me as the confidant of persons who have fled from justice. (Opposition cheers and cries of "Order.") I am submitting a point of order to the chairman. I am not going to.1e gagged even by the gentle- men of England who will not hear a reply to their charges. (Irish cheers.) Am I to be allowed only a single negative in denial of the charge of the hon. member, and not allowed to proceed further ? (Order, order.) It is quite in keeping with the chivalry of Orangemen and the craft of the right hon. mem- ber for West Birmingham to prevent my giving a brief reply. (Irish cheers.) Mr CHAMBERLAIN I rise to order, Mr Mellor. (Loud cries of "Order," and interruption.) I once more put it to you that the hon. member having made his repiy whether you have not ruled that he is out of order in making any further repiy, and whether, if you allow the hon. member for North Keiry to reply, you will give the same right of reply to my hon. friend. (Op- position cheers.) The CHAIRMAN* I stopped the hon. member for West Belfast (Mr Arnold Forster) when he was continuing to make those charges when the hon. member for North Kerry had denied them. 1 stopped him because it would be out ot order to discuss them. I have ruled that I cannot allow discussion to take place beyond the answer given to the statement, and, therefore, I think that this matter ought now to terminate. (Cheers.) Mr SEXTON I must appeal to you, sir. (Irish cheers.) I have been charged with being the confidant of persons who have escaped from justice. (Order, order.) I am appealing to the chair. (Renewed cries of Order, order.") Mr BALFOUR Hear, hear, hear, hear. The CHAIRMAN I hope the hon. member will confine himself to the point of order. Mr SFXTON: The hon. member opposite said that if he had been allowed to read a certain document he would have made good his words, and he said this with a malignity which is peculiar to himself. (Cries of "Order," and Irish cheers.) Mr T. W. RUSSELL: I rise to order, sir. (Con- fusion and general cries of "Older.) The CHAIRMAN The hon. member for North K"rry has been flowed to give his explanation. Mt SEXTON I have not been allowed to do so. (Opposition cries of Divide.") the CHAIRMAN There is no advantage to be gained by carrying it further. I have stopped the discussion, and the incident must now terminate. (Hear, hear.) Mr SKXTON There are two things which I want to say. (Order, order.) One is that while I was a member of the Land League I had never at any time been in the confidence of men whose actions in any way involved them in the law of the land. And the second is that all the transactions of those 12 years past were made the subject of a Special Commission, and I denied all such things on oath, and I was cross examined by counsel, who never, from beginning to end, suggested that I ever had any guilty knowledge, or that I was open to the imputations which the hon. member for West Belfast has made against me under the cover of debate in this House. (Irish cheers.) On my judgment it is infamous and base. (Loud Nationalist cheering, and loud cries of "Order" from the Opposition Benches.) Mr Gladstone and Mr Arnold Forster stood up together, but the Prime Ministergave way. Mr ARNOLD FORSTER I have not spoken carelessly oil this matter, and I only spoke on behalf of those who had suffered from the Land League. (Opposition cheers.) I can assure the House that I have not made these grave charges idly. I feel very deeply indeed about the whole matter, and I have spoken what I boiieve to be true. (Hear, hear.) What I said was that the hon. member for North Kerry was in confidential relations for two years with persons who left the country. I have to prove-- The CHAIRMAN The hon. member is again travelling outside the amendment. (Hear, hear.) Mr GLADSTONE I wish to say Mr CHAMBERLAIN (amidst lond cries of Order ) said I rise to order, sir. I beg to ask you, Mr Mellor, whether it is in order tor one hon. member to impute to another that a state- ment made by him is infamous and base ? (Loud Opposition cheers.) The CHAIRMAN Of course, all such remarks are out of order, but I beg to point out that the hon. member for North Kerry used those words in defending himself. (Ministerial cheers.) Mr GLADSTONE I do not wish to intrude upon forbidden ground, but I have never in all my experience in this House heard a more wanton introduction of a charge. (Loud Ministerial cheers, and cries of Order" from the Opposition Benches.) Mr I rise to order, sir. I wish to know whether the Prime Minister is to be allowed to make such a charge against an h6n. member. (Opposition cheers and laughter from tne Irish benches.) The CHAIRMAN I cannot say that the right hon. gentleman is out of order in describing the portion of a speech as a wanton introduction." (Laughter.) Mr GLADSTONE I hope the hon. member for South Belfat (Mr Johnston) will takealesson, and not be so hasty in his appeals to the chair. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) As I have said before, I have never known a more wanton introduction of a charge (Irish cheers)—or one made in a more venomous manner in the debates in this House- (Opposition cries of "Order")—and a sense of duty, policy, and decency—(Oh, oh)—ought to have restrained the hon. member from making such a charge. (M'nisterial cheers.) Anything more extraneous to the delicate subject under debate I have never heard in this House, for it was a subject which we should discuss with the smallest possible heat. I do not think that I ought to have allowed this incident to pass without expressing my view of it. (Cheers.) The right hon. gentleman then proceeded to discuss the amendment. In cases where the crime was one of an Imperial character he pointed out that the Lord-Lieutenant would not, of course, allow himself to be influenced by the advice of his Irish Ministers in the exercIsa of his prerogative. But in cases of crime, whether of murder or of a Isss serious character, which were entirely of Irish concern, he thought it. would be absurd if they should be brought over to England and referred to the Home Secretary, who would know nothing about the facts and circumstances connected with them. Sir Henry James, Mr Dunbar, and Mr Balfour supported the am>-ndmsnt. Mr T. W. RUSSELL objected to the prerogative of mercy being in the hands of Nationalists who were pledged to the chin to release men who had been found guilty of murder. Mr HFALY said that it was perfectly absurd to argue the question of the exercise of the pre- rogative of mercy upon the events of the last ten or twelve years. Lord R. CHURCHILL said that the, exercise of the prerogative of mercy by the Lo.d-Licutentnt in an important case might be commented on in that House. Who would defend the Lord- Lieutenant in that case if this Bill passed ? He would propose to amend the amendment, so as to make it run Provided that the prerogative of mercy shall be exercised by the Lord- Lieut,enant as the representative of her Mnjesty." The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that the new amendment was simply the old one in a new form. The Lord-Lieutenant must either act on the advice of his Irish advisers or under the directions of the Secretary of State. As the Bill stood the Imperial Ministry would be able to prescribe the manner in which the Lord-Lieuten- ant should exercise the prerogative of mercy, when he should act on the advice of his Irish advisers, when on his own judgment, or when lie should refer to the Imperial Government. The effect of the amendment would be to restrict the power, not of the Irish, but of the Imperial Ministry. — The amendment of Mr Arnold Forster was then amended in accordance with the proposal of Lord R. Churchill. The committee then divided upon the amend- ment as thus amended. There were- r or the amendment 256 Against. 293 Maioritv 37 The amendment was therefore negatived. » Mr T. HARRINGTON, in the midst of much inter- ruption, pointed out that there were still 74 amendments to clause 5 on the paper. He would appeal to hon. members to curtail the discussion. The CHAIRMAN That is not a point of order. There is no question before the Committee. Mr J. REDMOND I move that this clause be now put. (Oh, and laughter.) The CHAIRMAN I cannot entertain that motion. There are several amendments of sub- stance on the clause which still remain for consideration. Mr FISHER then moved the insertion of a sub- section providing that the chief executive officer, or officers, who shall for the time being act in the place of the Lord-Lieutenant, shall be appointed by her Majesty the Queen in Council. Mr GLADSTONE said that the Government were unable to accept the amendment. Mr T. HEALY said that as the discussion on the clauses up to 9 was to close on Thursday evening, he would appeal to the Chairman as to whether the minority should be allowed to occupy the whole tune on discussion of Clause 5. The majority desired to discuss some of the other clauses. The CHAIRMAN I hope that members who have unimportant amendments on this clause will withdraw them so as to enable us to go on to the other clauses. I The committee divided, when there were For the amendment 243 Against 283 0 '.LNfajority 35 The amendment was negatived. The Chairman having ruled the next four amendments out of order. Sit H. JAMES then proposed to insert before the word there at the commencement of the next subsection the words "after 3ix year from the appointed day," the effect being to postpone for the time named the appointment of an executive committee of the Privy Council or Cabinet in Ireland. Mr CHAMBERLAIN could not imagine that the Irish people would feel insulted at being offered Grattan s Parliament, winch was without an Irish Executive. O'Cjnnell never asked for an Irish Executive, and he was a patriotic Irishman. The committee divided, and the numbers we, P- I For the amendment 142 Against 187 Majority 45 The announcement was loudly cheered by the majority. Captain NAYLOR LEYLAND then proposed to omit the word executive in order to insert the word consultative," with a view to con- fining the action of the committee of the Irish Privy Council or Ministry to consultative instead of executive functions. After prolonged discussion the committee divided, when the- numbers were :— Jb or the amendment 167 Against 215 Majority 43 The amenument was, therefore, negatived. Sir H. JAMES moved an amendment to omit that part of the section which requires that the members of the executive committee "shall be persons holding such nffics as her Majesty may think, or as may be directed by Irish Act," with a view to the insertion of a provision "that the committee shall consist of such persons as her Mnjesty may from time to time think fit to direct." The SOLICITOR-GENERAL contended that there could be no doubt as to the construction of the clause. Mr MATTHEWS argued on the contrary that the construction of the clause was ambiguous, and that it could not carry out the professed inten- tions of the Government. Mr COURTNEY said that the clause left it doubt- ful whether the appointment of the members of the Irish Executive Committee was to be deter- mined by the Crown or by an Act of the Irish Parliament. Sir R. WEBSTER said that as the clause stood he believed the courts would give the Irish Legislature and the Crown equal power, not only in fixing the numbers and qualification of the members for the Irish Executive Committee, but in designating the persons to be appointed. Any ambiguity on this point should be removed. Mr GLADSTOXE said that the object of the J clause was to provide for the construction of the Executive Committee in Ireland, not in any way to designate the persons who should be appointed to fill the offices, the holders of which were to constitute the committee. The power to deal with the matter in the first instance was necessarily vested in the Crown, because no II ish Legislature was now in existence but when that body came into existence it would have a right to legislate on the subject. Mr CHAMBJERLAIN said it appeared to him that the Crown would have the power to constitute the Irish Es^cutive Council in one way while the Irish Legislature might pass an Act constituting it in a different way. Which was to prevail? Surely the Government ought to make their in- tention clej.r. Mr GLADSTONE said that no conflict of authori- ties could possibly occur, because the Crown must be a party to any Irish Act. After some further conversation, the com- mittee divided, when there were:— For the amendment 229 I Against 262 Majority 33 The amendment was therefore negatived. Mr GERALD BALFOUR then moved to insert the words "under the Crown" after the word offices." The amendment was agreed to. The Marquis or CARMARTHEN then proposed to omit the words "or as may be directed by Irish Act." He did not think the Irish Legislature should have the power to determine the constitu- tion of thn Irish executive committee. Mr SEXTON opposed the amendment. Mr D. LUNKKT rose to continue the discussion, and was speakii g when midnight arrived, and progress was reported. The House adjourned at 10 minutes past 12 o'clock.

THE WEDDING PRESENTS. THE DCKE OF YORK'S GIFTS. The presents which the Duke of York and tin Princess May have received number up to the present over 1,200. The gifts are about equally divided between the bride and bridegroom. The bulk of them were removed to-day to the Imperial Institute, where from Friday next they will be )IWn to the iuzl)eetloll of visitors- win

LONDON LETTER. lFROM OUR LONDON COKRESPONDENT. J lSPECIALLY WIRED.] LONDON, Tuesday Night. MR DILLON'S EXPLANATION. i a ere was a crowded hour of glorious life ".1 the House this afternoon, between ques- ':>11 time and 20 ruinutes to five, when l|ie Committee on the Home Rule Bill was itfsumed. Yesterday's recriminations could "ot be left where they were, and hence it "ls not surprising that Mr Dillon should present himself with offer of personal -xplanation, but nobody expected that dllS Was only the precursor of a series of "cenes which kept the House rivetted, now •^reatl'less with attention, and now resonant with heated cries. Mr Dillon's statement Was temperate and in the best raSle. it amounted to this — that had contented himself with ascertaining e accuracy of Mr Chamberlain's quotation *out sufficient inquiry,-but relying cm a memory, he made the gross mistake acting on the strong impression, and the ïech was made with the events of 1 ltcheLstown burning in his brain. He was now convinced that he must have mixed up y1^ memory two different speeches T?ly, no extraordinary thing when he had ce"^ered from five to six hundred. His nndence that every member would admit to have spoken with perfect good faith fd without the least intention of misleading e House on a point that placed him open th lr>stnnt refutation was justified by general cheers which accepted :8 assurance. It was characteristic fi 11 ^Usse^'s manners that he unsuccess- y attempted to stop Mr Dillon's further ^eni°nstration, and the Nationalists would if V-C eit^ier more or less than human view of tlie many acts of violence and I u*]ty perpetrated on the people of Ire- nty their language had been open to ■ 0nciernnati0n by their opponents. "I eny," said Mr Dillon, "that I entertain, r ever entertaiued, any purpose of revenge ^•gainst those opposed to the people of i .tid in the recent agitation," and he enied that any fair-minded man could find Justification for such a charge in his speeches, nakihg due allowance for the circumstances 111 Which they were made. Mr Dillon re- Hied his seat amid the sympathetic and ,n.Sratulatory applause of an assembly Uch recognised that he had acquitted ttrisglf well in a trying task. JOSEPH CONFOUNDED. ?\h Chamberlain was not in his place, and SO when Mr Harrington professed to make |5!0(1 his quotations from the letter to Mr p'o^'in, objection was taken by Lord II. "UichiH and Mr Balfour on this ground, hut the Speaker overruled it, and, amid exclamations of delight from the Ifio ra^s' Harrington showed how in oo5 ]VIr Chamberlain, under his own pen, eckred that Ireland had a right to local Sovermnent more complete, more popu- ar, more perfectly representative, and niore far-reaching than anything up to then f^Sges-ted, and he should not hesitate to aUcl over to the Irish, Education, the land Question, taxation, and so forth. As each of .-tese stones rattled through the panes of Mr chamberlain's glass house, the cheers of the Liberals waxed louder, and the faces of the unionists looked increasingly glum. Mr ~J°Urtney made a gallant attempt to show •■"at what Mr Chamberlain had contradicted not the extracts from the letter, but le assertion that it was written to an charged to make an alliance with the Irish members. Mr Chamberlain, e»- e.riflg at this moment, contented himself WIth reading a telegram from Mr Dignan confirming his version as "true and singu- larly accurate." During all this time the interest of the House was intense, but the Neatest sensation had yet to come. THE SPEAKER AND MR CONY BEARE. Before the Clerk could obey the Speaker's SUrnmons to read thb Orders of the day, a tall figure on the Tory benches was heard to be drawing attention to a letter in the Batty Chronicle strongly impugning the Speaker's partiality in connection with the proceedings in the early hours of last Friday morning. This was Mr Tritton, who was oppressively shocked at the audacity of contrasting the Speaker's treatment of the Liberal majority now with his attitude to the Tory majority of June, 1887. Mr Tritton seemed to think it little less than impious to describe Mr Speaker's manner as curt severity." The reading of this profane document at the table revealed the fact that Mr Conybeare was the writer. The Speaker, while discourag- ing taking severe action in the matter, gradually increased in seriousness and severity as he pointed out the enormity of impugning his conduct in the Press rather than in the House. As he proceeded to justify his conduct on the occasion referred to, to vindicate his uniform impartiality, the Speaker's voice rose to accents seldom heard from his calm lips and vibrated with intensity of feeling. He scarified Mr Conybeare by expressing with great emphasis the belief that there is not another man in the House who could so have acted. Whatever my failings and shortcomings may have been during the period of ten years, no ime can accuse me of having been partial to one side or another." A GOOD ENDING. This gave opportunity for Mr Gladstone to make one of his most judicious speeches, in which, with skilful hand, he apportioned to the Speaker tribute of lofty praise for his discharge of duties incressing in diffi- culty from Speaker to Speaker, and from year to year, and to Mr Conybeare s most grave and serious error" strong censure; and, beating the box with great emphasis at each of his periods, he insisted as the first duty of every member of Parliament the most sacred obligation resting upon him is to support the chair. Mr Balfour further improved the occasion with due solemnity, with tears in his voice if not in his eyes,"but joined the Premier in concur- rence in the Speaker's wish to let the matter drop, and as Mr Tritton assented to this course and Mr Conybeare was not present although, as Mr Balfour took care to state, notification had been given to 111m, of what was coming—the Speaker surrendered fur- ther conduct of the proceedings to Mr Mellor. ]\ir Conybeare was seen in the Lobby afterwards and subsequently in the House looking not one penny the worse. WIPING OFF AMENDMENTS. The committee has seventeen pages of amendments to work through before the guillotine descends at 10 o'clock on Thurs- day night. At the present rate of progress it looks as if clause 5, to which 76 amend- ments stood on the paper this afternoon, will still be unfinished at that time, and that clauses 6, 7, and 8 will be untouched. It may be presumed that this is precisely what is wanted by the Opposition as helping to justify the future action of the House of Lords. The ante-dinner proceedings have been accentuated by a hot scene between 1\1:1' Sexton and Mr Arnold Forster, and by two divisions showing majorities of 37 and 35. THE ARMENIAN PRISONERS. Lord Rosebery was able to make in the House of Lords this afternoon the gratifying statement that the two professors of the American College at ■"larsovan, condemned to death with other Armenian prisoners, have been pardoned, but this is accompanied with condition that they leave the country, -pie Foreign Minister added an official con- firmation of the prevalent opinion that the trial has not been a fair one. MR CHAMBERLAIN'S ABSENCE. The prevailing opinion among members i'night is that, considering his unfortunate of yesterday, Mr Dillon's statement his afternoon has materially helped matters, at was, of course, unfortunate that Mr ■Janiberlain was not in his place hen Mr Dillon rose, and there has in con- ^Vence been a good deal of speculation as to nether his absence was accidental or inten- nal. Everybody knows the member for e^t Birmingham to be a very astute th- iamentary lland, but it is hardly likely fto^- 'le wou'd deliberately avoid the Ss.ibility of an encounter with the tio l°na^'s':s- The more reasonable explana- jg °f the right hon. gentleman's absence had he was detained much longer than he of at the Poor Law Commission, hich he is a member. THE BREAK-UP. to the daily scenes of which we are j inter^ abundance at present, the most toP'c among members is the date of the break up of deb session. Allowing for a full week's ate on the report stage of the Home j Rule Bill-,iii(I three weeks ought to be sufficiently long time for the estimates—we ought to be able to get away about the end of August. There are, of course, very many things that may happen to interfere with this calculation, but the best-informed on both sides of the House seem to think that under no circum- stances will the House sit into September. AFTER HOME RULE. I hear that the measures proposed to be passed during the Autumn Session are the Parish Councils Bill, the Registration Bill, and the Welsh Suspensory Bill.

DISESTABLISHMENT. WELSH M.P.'S AND THE GOVERNMENT. THE LETTER TO MR GLADSTONE. The Press Association understands that the letter signed by all the Liberal members for Wales, with the exception of Mr Bryn Roberts, has been handed to the chairman, Mr Stusrt Rendel, for delivery to Mr Gladstone, asking for some definite assurance from the right honourable gentleman as to the position of the Welshi Disestablishment question in the Ministerial programme for next session. Mr Bryn Roberts is understood to have withheld his signature, not because he is less favourable to Disestablishment, but because he thinks the moment inopportune to press for the definite reply.

WELSH M.P.'S AND THE HOME RULE BILL. The Manchester -Guardian saysMr S. T. Evans's absence unpaired from the critical divisions of Thursday last was purely accidental. No one was more surprised than the hon. member himself when he discovered his name published amongst the unpaired absentees. He had written to the proper quarters for a pair, but owing to the tremendous efforts made by the Unionist party to bring up every available member it was found impossible to accommodate Mr E vans at such short notice. Sir Edward Reed's absence from the divisions is not capable of the samt; explanation. It was calculated, and part of the erratic tactics pursued by him since the formation of the present Ministry modified his views on the Home Rule question.

PLACES OF WORSHIP SITES BILL. The House of Lords Standing Committee dealt on Tuesday with the Places of Worship (Sites) Bill. There was a large attendance cf peers, including Lord Salisbury and the Lord Chancellor, but no prelates were present except the Archbishop of Canterbury, who, however, came in late, and did not vote in the divisions. Amendments were carried to include Noncon- formist ministers' residences in the compulsory acquisition powers wherever they were connected with the places of worship, and also to give com- pensation to landowners whose property might be depreciated in value by the operations of the Act.

SERIOUS STABBING AFFRAY AT CARDIFF. A MALTESE SAILOR BADLY INJURED. Early on Tuesday morning a rather serious caaa of Stabbing occurred in Dudley-street, near the Docks, Cardiff. Police-constable E. Davies was on duty in James-street shortly after mid- night, when a Maltese sailor named Grezio Salida, who was bleeding copiously from wounds on the face, went up to him and informed him that he had been stabbed by an old shipmate iiamed Lawrence Gouche. The constable saw that the man had been badly used, and at once took him to Dr. Scott's surgery close by. The doctor, on making an examination of Salida's body, considered the injuries of so severe a character as to justify the man's removal to the Hamadryad Hospital Ship. This was done at once, and at that institution Salida's wounds were drcassed by Dr. Hughes and Dr. Scott. The doctors found that Salida's assailant had inflicted upon him four cuts on the left side of the face and one, 3% inches long, on the left hip. There were also marks on the lower part of the body as if the knife which had been used had just been prevented by the clothes worn by Salida from entering that vital part, and, from the way in which the wearing apparel was cut the doctors believed that thrusts had been made with the knife sufficient to have killed the poor fellow on the spot had not the clothes been of thickness and texture capable of partially resist- ing the progress of the blade. It appears, from inquiries we have made, that Gouche had at one time lodged with Salida at the boarding-house where the occurrence took place—15, Dudley- street—that some dispute had sprung up between them, and that shonly after midnight the former sought out his old friend, and, whilst talking to liim in the lobby, set upon him in murderous fashion with a knife. Another side of the story is that the two men had been fighting, that each had used a knife in the com oat, and that Salida got the wortt of it. At any rate, when Gouche saw what he had done he bolted. by way of Clarence Bridge in the direction of Grangetown. The police were soon on his trackj and, besides spending several hours in looking for him at the usual local haunts of the foreign sailor, had a description of him circulated. They learned that he was acquainted with a Barry Dock lodging-house- keeper, and as he had at first made a move in that direction they suspected he would seek the protection of this friend. Accordingly, Constables 40 (Davies) and 8 (Davies), were despatched to B ury Dock about seven o'clock in the morning, and there, sure enough, they found o elr«niaT' .,ley at ollce brought liiui to Oardiit. liater in the day ho was brought before the stipendiary magistrate (Mr T. W. Lewis) on a charge of cutting and wounding Salida with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Evidence sufficient, to justify a remand was taken, and Gouche was remanded till to-day. Although Sahda attended the court his injuries were so severe that it was deeirusJ advisable to send him again to the Hamadryad, where he is now under the care of Dr. Hughes.

A SENSATIONAL SUICIDE. BERLIN, Tuesday.—Some sensation has been caused here this morning by the suicide of Mdlle. Lucie Lyon, a talented and well-known young artist. She threw herself from the third-floor window of the house wherein she lived, her injuries being of such a character that she died instantly. Some domes tic troubles, it is believed had unhinged her mind. -Central News.

THE NOVEL SLANDER SUIT. The hearing of Mr Rassam'saction for libel and slander against Mr Budge,of the British Museum, was concluded in London on Monday. The jury found for the plaintiff, and assessed the damages at BSO.

THE RIOTS IN PARIS. SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS. TRAMCARS OVERTURNED AND BARRICADES ERECTED. PARIS, Tuesday.—The disturbances continued until two this morning, when a number of people who were marching to the Ministry of Interior, in the Place Beauvan, were stopped in the Faubourg St. Honore by the police, and driven back to the boulevards after a severe struggle, in the course of which several persons were seriously hurt. The number of the injured last night was estimated at upwards of 100, some of whom are reported to have sustained grievous wounds. The list of sufferers include two journalists, who were taking notes of the disturbances. About thirty arrests were made m the course of the night. The students strongly protest against- the acts of brutality which they declare to have been wilfully perpetrated by ruffians eager to ferment a riot, and they expressly disavow all responsi- bility for the disturbances following their recent demonstration. -Reuter. PARIS, Tuesday Midnight.—The gravity of the situation here has been developing during the last few hours, until at present the prospect of a general revolutionary outbreak is being seriously discussed. More than one quarter of the city may be said to be in the absolute possession of the rioters, the students being hourly reinforced by the roughest elements of the population, with the result that immense damage has been wrought to property, and personal liberty is at a high premium. Among the more central prominent thoroughfares held by the mobs are the Boulevard St. Germain, the Quai Voltaire, and the Rue St. Pere, where, immediately after darkness set in, tramcars and 'busses were fiercely attacked and ruthlessly overturned, the object of the rioters not becoming apparent until large numbers of men set to work to construct bar- ricades of the partially wrecked vehicles. The police anc1 cavalry were thus largely rendered powerless, and charge after charge was made without producing any serious effect on the now rackleas street fighters. In the Rue St. Michel the soldiers and students came to close quarters, and many on each side were seriously wounded, the cavalry making free use of their sabres so far as regards cutting, but avoiding thrusting, while the rioters hurled missiles of every possible description, and even resorted to revolvers. Meanwhile the Charity Hospital was made an object of special attention by both authorities and students, but the presence of a full regi- ment of Cuirassiers, who formed a complete cordon round the building held the mob in awe. The greatest anxiety is fait for the large number of patients, as it is evident that the students are becoming desperate in their determination to avenge the death of Antoine Nuger, whose body, it is rumoured, will be removed during the night and sent on to Lyons by train for.interinerit. 1 A.M.—Absolute rioting now prevails through- out the Latin quarter,from the Rue St. Pere to La Place Sarbonne. Cavalry, infantry, and police are placed in almost every thoroughfare, but this has not prevented the rioters from setting fire to the overturned tramcars and 'buses, while revolver shots are heard at short intervals, and reports of men being wounded are being received from all directions. One of the most serious developments in the whole business is, that while the mob was being charged just after midnight, lu front of the Chanty Hospital, the soldiers still left on guard were pelted by the hospital students, who swarmed the windows of the institution, with crockery and bails of cotton-wool saturated with carbolic acid. Some 3,000 working men took possession of the Labour Exchange, and wound up a boisterous meeting with a resolution to re- main in the hall throughout the night in order to prevent the authorities from giving effect to their announced determination to close the building. From another point news comes of some 1,500 working men, mostly armed, marching eight abreast to the disturbed district to help the students. Altogether the situation is one of the most grave character, and the entire Paris garri- son has been ordered to prepare to march.— Central News. PARIS, Tuesday Midnight.—The Quartier Latin has now quieted down, and the military and police have returned to their barracks. In order to meet all evontualities, the Government has ordered all the cavalry stationed round Paris to come to the Metropolis, and the Ministers will discuss the situation at a Cabinet Council, to be held to-morrow morning. At an extraordinary sitting to-night the Municipal Council decided that the funeral of Nuger should be held at the expense of the city, and issued an order enjoining upon the people to-keep the peace.-Reuter.

DISASTER AT SEA. 25 PERSONS KILLED. BERLIN, Tuesday.—A despatch received this morning announces a terrible disaster from Romanow, on the Russian coast, off which the steamship Alfons caught fire and was totally destroyed. The boilers of the doomed ship ex- ploded, and 25 of those on board were killed, including General Petruschewski.—Central Neios,

TO-DAY'S WEATHER 4.30 A.M. TO DAY'S FORECAST FOli JiiiGLAND, S. W.. AND OU1'H WALES. Northerly or north-easterly winds, light or moderate; dull; some rain, perhaps thunder. GENERAL.—Cloudy unsettled weather, with rain, thunder and light iing will probably set in in nearly all parts of the kingdom.

GENERAL FORECASTS. The foUowmg forecasts were prepared last night it the Meteorological Office at eight o'clock :— DISTHTCTS- I a J vr Easterly winds, light or 1." Scotland,' E.' } ?.fair t0 tiull>and J perhaps rain. I Easterly and north-easterly 2. England,N.E. j- winds, cloudy or dull; J thunder and rain locally. A* TV/TV^N^' I-^M Variable or easterly winds J' pintles I d „ thunder 5. Eng S. (Lon f „ and Cnannel'. J J ft, Scotland W. North-easterly winds, light or 7. Engl., N. VV., J- moderate; cloudy or dull, & NorthWales. J with some rain. 9. Ireland, N. ^Northerly winds ;fairtodull; 10. Ireland. S. J perhaps ram.

NEW SHORT STORY EVERY WErTC.-Oll Satur day next will be published in the Cardiff' Times and' NEW SHORT STORY EVERY WEEK.—On Satur day next will be published in the Cardiff' Times and' South Wales Weekly News a new short story (complete) by Coulsou Kernahan, entitled^ A Man's Sin and Its Atonement.

TERRIBLE COLLIERY DISASTER. -H- A YORKSHIRE MINE ON FIRE. 150 MEN ENTOMBED. ALL REPORTED LOST. RECOVERY OF BODIES. The Press Association's Dewsbury corres- pondent telegraphs :-On Tuesday evening a colliery disaster occurred near Dewsbury, by which it is feared that great loss of hfe has been sustained. The scene of the disaster is Combs' Pit, at ThornhH:, a suburb of Dewsbury. That lives have been lost there is absolutely no doubt, but to what extent the miners have suffered is, of course, at present indefinite, but four bodies have already been recovered, and the gravest fears are entertained as to the survival of the other poor fellows. The first indication that an accident had happened was an explosion in the pit, and when Mr Scott, the manager of the mine, perceived dense volumes of smoke issuing from the main shaft, little room was left to doubt the possible awful consequences. With two other men Mr Scott made a gallant effort to descend the shaft, but the heat and fumes were too much for their, and they were overpowered. Nevertheless, it has since been discovered that an explosion occurred in what is known as the Wheatley Bed, in which about 74 men nnd 40 hurriers were working at the time. What may be the fate of these poor fellows is still uncertain. Four bodies have been recovered, and the manager of the mine fears a terrible loss of life. It is apparently not without every evidence that the manager thus speaks, for the only shaft by which the unfortunate miners ceuld pos- sibly escape is at what is known as the Ings Pit, which cannot at present be worked owing to the afterdamp. A later telegram from the Press Association's Leeds correspondent does not, unfortunately, minimise the seriousness of the accident. This correspondent states that the pit is the property of Messrs E. T. Ingham, and is on Sre. One hundred and 30 men are entombed in the work- ings, and only four bodies have been recovered up to the present. The fear is repeated by this correspondent that the loss of life will be very great, as the only outlet is stopped by the flames. Telegraphing later, the same correspondent says -The explosion has involved the loss ot more than 100 lives. There being no telegraph office in the village of Thornhill, where the colliery is situated, the news was some time before it became known in Dewsbury. Great excitement was caused. Conveyances of every description were run to the place, and it was found that the explosion had taken effect through the winding-up shaft, and at a time when most of the men and boys were at work. Crowds ot sorrowing people came, and many distressing scenes were witnessed. In a few hours the bodies of four pour fellows were recovered and brought to the bank. They proved to be those of R. B. Garthwaite, Walter Field, and Samuel Croft, single men, and James Scargill. The latter was 46 years of age, and was married. JNO effort was spared to get out the other men in the pit, but nothing practical could be done as the ventilation could not be restored and the workings were filled with deadly gases. Altogether there were 66 miners entombed and 45 boys. Up to eight o'clock no further bodies have beet: recovered. LIST OF SUPPOSED VICTIMS. The following are the names of the men who, in addition to the 45 boys, were in the mine- at the time of the disaster. They resided in Thornhill and the neighbourhood of Elifirth George Fisher, John Croft, Henry Hinchcliffe, Lewis Lee, Wm. Wood, John Tindall, Walter Htrdcmtlp, Richard Wood, John Smith, A. Stranger, Joshua Ashton, Isaac Lightowler, George Seargill, John Gar- thwaite, James Mallinson, J. Heywood, Edward Hinchcliffe, Hy. Sumirerscaies, Jos Little, Wm. Goldthorp?, Aquilas Brooke, Benjamin Seeker, Benjamin Rowsden, Thomas Ellis, George Fenton, Herbert Smith, Win. Hampshire, sen., Win. Henry Swallow, Edward Mort, Samuel Crossley, sen., Matthew Jessop, James Hill Friend, sen., John Ellis, Thcmas Dyson, Benjamin Milne, Amos Hawkswcrth (undor- manager), Matthew Ramsden, George Willcock, Edward Fernley, Josiah Roberts, John Ashton, David Ramsden, Mark Butcher, Charles Booth, Robert Thomas Haigh, Edward Butcher, John Hardcastle, Geoige Wood, Stephen Drake, Henry Halstead, Henry Wil. cock, Charles Fisher, Thomas Parker, Lot Senior, Samuel Wood, John Henry Longbottom, William Ellis, sen., Charles Bro,)k, sen., James NobleMiddleston, Mirk Smith, RichardPickard, Henry Haistead, jun., Henry Wrathmell, Harry Lightowler, Joseph Coates, William Jackson, Jonathan Hinchcliffe, George Crossby, Squire Shires, Abraham Ramsden, James Stead- man, Charles Brook, juu., Ezra Field, and Geo. Milner.. IT HE SEARCH PARTY DRIVEN BACK. At half-past nine the search party had to abandon operations. The body of Amos Hawks- worth, underground manager, had been recovered, but will not be brought to bank until the morning. The search party have seen three bodies in the Wheatley seam, and state that they are fearfully burnt. Mr M. Oldroyd, M.P., and Mr Hutton, M.P., have been telegraphed for to attend the rehef party to-day (Wednesday). The following were in the pit at the time of the explosion, and all are sup- posed to be dead :-73 getters, 40 hurriers, 24 rope-end lads, 3 pit cotton men, 4 officials, and 1 blacksmith total, 145.

PANIC IN A CATHEDRAL. VIENNA, Tuesday:—The Cathedral of St. Stephen waa the scene of a terrible panic this afternoon. The church was filled in every part, the congregation compris- ing a great number of pilgrims, mostly women, who had to-day returned to Vienna from a pilgrimage to Mariazell, in Styria. A short service was being held, during which some withered flowers attached to a staff carried by one of the pilgrims accidentally became ignited. A cry of "Fire" was immediately raised by some of the women, and a terrible panic ensued. Wild shrieks resounded through the buildinc, and a general rush was made for the doors, numbers of persons, including several children, being knocked down and trampled under foot. The flames were, however, speedily extinguished, and ultimately the cathedral was cleared by the men of the fire brigade, who had hurried to the building when the alarm was raied.-Reutcr.

ANARCHIST OUTRAGES IN SPAIN. SEVILLE, Tuesday.—This city remains in a state of constant alarm, in consequence of the petard explosions which are continually occurring. To-day a bottle petard exploded with a terrific report, the door of the house in which it was placed being smashed. Senor Lozano, President of the Provincial Council, who was passing at the time, had a narrow escape. Other cases are reported. The police have just arrested a man carrying an mfernal machine close to the bouse of Senor Canovas, the ex-Preat ier. -Reuter.

INDEPENDENCE DAY IN AMERICA. NEW YORK, Tuesday.—Independence Day was celebrated throughout the Unittd States with characteristic enthusiasm. Favourable weather is reported from all parts, but more especially from Chicago, where nearly half a million people are stated to have attended the celebrition at the World's Fair. At Omaha a parachutist named Eister fell several hundred feet, and was shockingly mang-Jed. Reuter.

THE AUSTRALIAN GOLD RUSH. MELBOURNE, Tuesday.—The recent discovery of rich auriferous quartz reefs near Coolgardie, Western Australia, from which 9,000 ounces of gold had been obtamed from Al/2 tons of stone, has caused a rush to the new gold fields not only from local centres, but from neighbouring Colonies. Rutcr.

THE ROTHbJRHlTHE MURDER. Paolo Cammarota and Andrea Carlo, both of whom declared their innocence, were formally remanded at Greenwich Police-court on Tuesday charged on suspicion with causing the death of the woman Jane Thompson, who was found with her throat cut at Rotherhithe. Carlo was arrested on Sunday at Sunderland.

KILLED BY LIGHTNING. Thomas Hemingway, a farmer, was killed by lightning on Monday night at Kelhngley, near

THE VICTORIA DISASTER. The Press Association understands that the court-martial on the Victoria disaster will be constituted by Admiral Sir Culme Seymour, who will have as officers with him Admiral Tracy, in charge at Malta, and three captains from the station, who were not witnesses or in any way implicated in the disaster. Captain Bourke will, of course, be the first defendant, and it is believed that after the first inquiry the court wili order Admiral Markham and the captain of the Cam- perdown, as well as the leadingsurvviingofScers of both ships, to be put on their trial. Among the subscriptions to the Mansion House fund received on Tuesday were £1,000 from Mr F. C. T. Gascoigne, 100 guineas eael) I from Messrs T. Firth and Son, Sheffield, and Messrs Combe and Co., and JM7 5 from the Central Telegraph Dopartment, General Post- office, per Mr H. C. Fischer, controller. MALTA, Tuesday.—A requiem mass was cele- brated in the cathedral here this morning for the officers and men who perished in the Victoria.- Reuter.

NARRATIVE BY AN EYE-WITNESS. An engineeer named Connor, on board the Inflexible, who witnessed the collision, in a letter to his friends at Crewe, gives the following account from a survivor: When the Camper- down struck us the ship's company were piped to collision stations. Every man, I believe, went to his post, which is proved by seeing that so many stokers and engineer officers were lost. About two minutes before she went over they piped 'Hands fall in,' and every man fell in as if he was going through the ordinary routine. There was no struggle. It was done in a quiet and orderly manner. About a minute before she sank someone on the bridge shouted Jump overboard Eviry man try to save himself But she went over so quickly that the whole of us were thrown off our feet and the majority were thrown in the star- board waterways, and as she turned ov. r on that side they were carried down with her. I managed to reach her port side, and jump off her keel. I was taken down some dis- tance with her, but when I rose to the surface I saw the sea around literally covered with men. Boats were there ready to pick us up. There were many pieces of limbs and truised bodies-a scene that will never be effaced from my memory. People in England will wonder why so many were drowned with so many ship< close at hand, but it was not thought that the damage was so gr» at. Then a gieat many men on the Victoria were at their post of duty below, and the watch of otokers remained at their post. Many of you no doubt will judge our admiral harshly; but remember when you speak or talk of him. that the brave man, when he saw the grave error that had been committed, stuck to his ship and perished with her."

A MAN SCALDED TO DEATH. George Henry Jordan, of 66, Bemerton-street, Islington, met with a frightful death on Monday evening. He was working on a hydraulic engine at the Great Northern Railway Comoauy's station in Caledonian-road, when the boiler burst, and he was scalded in a most shocking manner by the steam and water. He died shortly after he reached the hospital.

NEW BARONETS ""Tuesday night's London Gazette announc.s that the Queen lias granted the dignity c: Baronet to I-mac of Oak wort 11 House Kvighley, Yorkshire j 'o .Tames Joicey, of Lang hurst, Ulglial" JN7,^ thumberland and to Joseph Pulley, of Lo\vtr j' .tton, Herefordshire.

THE MOST DANGEROUS P ARTO A HOUSE is the scullery ink. A packet -of liiui son's Extract of Soap or Hudson's Dry Soap in a bucket of hot water, poured down the sink every week, removes all olan- serous. decgiuoosinr matter. 1¡9

PRINCESS MAY'S DEPARTURE FROM RICHMOND. THE JOURNEY TO THE METRO- POLIS. ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATIONS. THE DUKE OF YORK VISITS THE QUEEN. A BRILLIANT DAY IN LONDON. ARRIVAL OF ADDITIONAL ROYAL GUESTS. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] LONDON, Tuesday. Princess May to-day left White Lodge, Rich- mond, for Buckingham Palace, where she will remain until Thursday in readiness for the cele- bration of her nuptials with the Duke of York. She was accompanied by her father and mother, the Duke and Duchess of Teck, and in tho course of the five miles drive into town she met with an enthusiastic reception from admiring crowds that congregated at various points along the route, which lay through Mort- lake, Barnes, Hammersmith, Kensington, and Constitution Hill. Charmingly attired in a cream silk dress, with bows of light blue ribbon, and wearing a bonnet ornamented with ears of barley and blue cornflowers, she took her seat in an open c&rriage beside her mother and opposite her father, the Duke of Teck. The departure from the paternal home was wit- nessed by several thousands of people, including many of the neighbouring residents, to whom the Princess has been endeared from her early years, and though evidently gratified by the demonstrations of enthusiasm with which they greeted her, she was visibly affected by what was practically a leave-taking. In response to the cheering of the crowd and waving of handker. chiefs on the part of the numerous ladies present, the Princess frequently bowed as the carriage was driven off. All along the route there were demonstrations of welcome, and most of the thoroughfares were decorated in honour of the occasion. At Barnes there were hundreds of spectators; at Hammersmith they might be numbered by thousands; and from Kensington onwards the streets were filled with people, while around the '•'alace there was an enormous congregation of people, who cheered in the most hearty manner. The guard on duty at the Palace saluted; and her Majesty's servants, in scarlet livery, were drawn up at the entrance, as on State occasions. The Princess and her parents were received, on alighting, about five o'clock, by Sir John Cowell, Master of the Queen's Household, who conducted them to the State apartments set aside for their use by her Majesty's orders during their stay. These con- sist of a suite of some eight chambers over the Equerries entrance on the right of the front of the palace and overlooking St. James's Ptrk. The Princess' boudour is luxuriously furnished, and there she found on her arrival a bouquet from the Duke of York, who visited her and the Duke and Duchess of Teck soonjafterwaras. Many people lingered outside the Palace for a considerable time afterwards in hopes of again seeing the P.incess. In this expectation they were not disappointed, for about seven o'clock she drove to Marlborough House with the Duke and Duchess of Teck to join the dinner party, at which all the members of the Royal family in London were present. During the greater part of the day a number of people lingered around the entrance to Marlborough House with the object of watching the movements of tl.e Royal visitors. The Duke of York left there about noon for Windsor on a visit to the Queen, during which, it is believed, he received some honour at the hands ot her Majesty. He returned at four o'clock. The King of Denmark went out visiting, an3 the Prince and Princess of Wales and their daughters went out several times with the Czarewitch. Amongst those at the dinner party in the evening were the King and Queen of Denmark, the Duke of York and Princess May, the Princess of Wales and the Duke of Fife, the Grand Duke of Hesse, Prince Walde- mar, Prince and Princess Christian, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of M-eklen- burg-Strelitz, the Duke and Duchess of Teck, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. After dinner the party paid a State visit to Co vent Garden Opera House, Various Royal gut-sts arrived during the day in order to attend the weddiuer. The Grand Duke of Hesse and suite arrived at Victoria early in the morning. He was met at Victoria. by the Duke of Connaught, and in the course of the day paid a visit to the Queen at Windsor. The Crown Prince of Belgium arrived later on, and was met by the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip of Coburg and a special representative of the King of Wiirtemburg also arrived. The Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia are expected to- morrow. Count Deym will represent the Emperor of Austria. The preparations of the Lord Chamberlain for Thursday's ceremony are now completed, and are practically in accordance with the details already given. The grand stands for the accom- modation of spectators and the street decorations in the various thoroughfares along which the procession will pass on Thursday are receiving their finishing touches. The Opera House, Covent Garden, presented a gorgeous appearance on Tuesday night on the occasion of the performance which took place by Royal command, in honour of the engagement of the Duke of York and Princess May. The boxes were a mass of crimson, while from floor to ceiling the house was festooned with white and pink roses. The Royal box was converted into a beautiful bower, with a background of white and cream satin, whilst strings of roses were inter. twined in every available space. The house was full some time before the arrival of Royalty, and there has seldom before been seen such a display of jewels in any Metropolitan theatre. A guard of honour of the Grenadier Guards kept the way outside the Opera House and within the vestibule, and here the Lord Chamberlain and ali the great officers of State were assembled to receive the Royalties. On the Royal party entering the theatre the audience rose, and the British National Anthem was played. It was noticed that the Royai Family had now been joined by th-1 Princess May and the Duke of York. The Princess wore tho rose diamond brooch given to her by the Duke ot York. Both she and the Duke received a specia! cheer. The performance of the opera Romeo et Juliette was at once commenced. The State drawing-room of Buckingham Palace will to-morrow (Wednesday) present a magnificent appearance on the occasion of the banquet given by the Queen in honour of the Royal marriage. The floral decorations, not oniy in this room m which the banquet will be served, but all through the corridors and reception-rooms ar6 profuse and exquisite, thousands of roses being banked up in every corner, the old Provence rose—which the Duke of York haft adopted as his badge—predominating. Tree palms, choice exotics, and variegated foliage add relief to the mass of glowing colours, and combined with the floral splendour of the gold plate, produces p. gorgeous effect. The wedding breakfast on Thursday will be served in the state dining-room on a series of round tables arranged in the centre of the room, with buffets on each side, on which the historical gold plate will be displayed. Among these magnificent gold and jewelled articles are some old Spanish flagons, taken fiom the flagship of the Admiral who com- manded the Spanish Armada, and also other trophies of great antiquity. Six hundred guests will be accommodated in the spacious ball-room, which runs into the State dining-room. The seamen of the inledwity Steam Reserve at Chatham which are to form the Naval Guard of Honour on the occasion of the wedding were selected to-day. They are a smart body of men. and the majority of them wear medals and decorations. The Guard of Honour of the Chatham division of Royal Marines were paraded to-day, and they are also a fine body of men. This morning fl. detachment of the lst Life Guards left Croydon tor London to take part in the procession on Thursday. The London Sucialists have for some weeks been contemplating a procession of unemployed through the principal streets on the day Of the wedding. It is stated that the police authorities have intimated that such a demonstration will not be allowed, and that any procession will be broken up. Notwithstanding this, the Socialist leaders have definitely decided to have a pro- cession.