The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-09-06 00:00:00

FRANCE AND CHINA.

The Diritto remarks, says a telegram from Rome
September 2, that France owes a debt of gratitude to
Germany for having detained the three Chinese
corvettes constructed at Kiel. Had it not been for
the Government delayinn. their departure the Foo-
chow engagement might have assumed a different
turn.
A telegram from Hong Kong, received in St. Peters-
burg on the 2nd inst., says: "lam enabled to confirm the
news sent a few days ago that the greatest confusion
prevails at Pekin. There have been demonstrations
in favour of war with France, and troops had to pro-
tect the foreign Legations. It is expected that the
French fleet will proceed at once to destroy the forti-
fications in the north of the Island of Formosa. The
French, it appears, have instructions to take possession
of Shanghai in the event of the Chinese attacking
Tonquin.
The following telegram has been received in Paris
from Shanghai, dated 9.45. Sept. 2: "According to
letters from Tient sin, Li Hung Chang has been de-
graded and deprived of his titles of Chief Minister
and Viceroy. This news, however, requires confirma-
tion. Admiral Courbet's movements are still unknown.
The present condition of affairs is most trying, and a
declared state of war would be preferable. The French
here are expecting that an order will be issued expel-
lingthem from Shanghai. The Chinese authorities
i are n a most excited state."
General Minot will embark at Saigon on the 22nd
inst. on his return to France. The appointment of
his successor will be made at a council to be held on
the return of M. Ferry to Paris. The Temps considers
that in view of its importance the post should be
entrusted to an officer who has been used to the com-
mand of large bodies of troops, and holding some im-
portant position in the country.
The Paris gives a contradiction to a report current
that General Campenon was about to tender his
resignation as Minister of War. The same journal
states that all the necessary preparations have been
completed for the despatch of a French division to
China if required. The force would comprise 2500
marines and 6000 troops of the line.
President Grevy has received a letter, signed by
the members of the Extreme Left, pointing out
that France is in a state of war without a vote
having been taken in Parliament on the question,
and that credits are being expended before they
have been voted by the Chambers. "The national
defences," proceeds the letter, "are weakened by
the disperson of the forces of the country. Personal
power is being affirmed under the Republic with a
persistence and audacity unworthy of a Republican
regime. The Constitution remains a dead letter.
The Government acts without informing or consult-
ing the representatives of the people." The document
concludes by demanding the convocation of the
Chambers, at the same time appealing to the "high
political probity" of M. Grevy. The Paris believes
that the President will simply acknowledge receipt of
the letter.

BOATING DISASTER and LOSS of LIFE.
A terrible disaster occurred on Monday night four
miles from Galley Head, off Cork Harbour, whereby
six men, in a boat belonging to Queenstown, perished.
Seven men were in the boat, and so high were the seas
that they were several times washed out. Five men
were drowned, and of the remaining two one died
from the effects of exposure. The men were em-
ployed by a clothier named Lucy, and they left Queens-
town in an open boat on Saturday, proceeding to sea
for the purpose of intercepting homeward bound ships
with a view to supplying• the crews with clothes.
Haynes, the sole survivor, states that about eight
o'clock on Monday night they were off Galley Head,
and had just lowered the sail when a heavy sea struck
the boat and capsized her. The men succeeded in
righting her and getting into her, but in a few
minutes they were washed out. Jill of them scrambled
back again with the exception of one man named
, Dunn, who was drowned. Four times after this the
boat was capsized, but none other -of her occumnts
were lost until the seventh wave struck her, and then
four men, named Leary, Murray, Scully, and Roche,
were swept away and drowned. Haynes and another
'man named Jones ' succeeded ;_in regaining the boat,
but at. 2 a.m. Jones died from exposure. At seven
o'clock on Tuesday morning a passing hooker rescued
, Haynes, who was in a very exhausted condition.
Four of the men who were drowned leave large
families.

AN IDEAL MATCll.—lMagitlatioll running riot.—
Moonshine.
THEIR LITTLE GAMES.—Deaf People Double
Dumb-y. Stokers—Poker. Classical Art Students
—Elgin Marbles. City Financialists—Flying Kites.
Dyspeptic People—Black Draghts. Watchmen—Nap,
Whist Players—Follow your Leader.—Fun.

t

tn. AtTEBIPTED ASSASSINATION AT
• • ODESSA.
, .
• kat:Lim:liars of the recent attempted assassination at
Odeha state that at noon on the 20th inst. a young
girl, about 18 Or 19 years old, named Maria Xaljushnia,
presented herself at the quarters of Colonel Katansky,
Chief of the Odessa Gendarmerie, and asked to speak
with him. She was shown bato the colonel's private
room, and had been with him about twenty minutes
when a loud detonation was heard arOceeding from
tbe room. A gendarme named tssatoff had the
colonel's manservant immediately rushed in and
found the colonel standing with a still smoking revolver
in his band, which he had just snatched from the
girl. It then transpired that Maria Kaljushnia, while
sitting in the room. pulled the revolver sr;ddenly out
of her pocket with tier handkerchief, and fired point-
blank at the Colonel's face. The bullet, however,
only slightly grazed his ear and buried itself in the
ceiling. The girl was immediately arrested and con-
ducted to the barracks. Immediately after the
attempt General Tshelishtcheff, Commandant of
Odessa, Town Caftain Kossagowsky, and the police
inspector with his assistant arrived on the scene.
Kaljushnia's house was at once searched, and papers
were found proving her to be a member of the
revolutionary party.
Numerous arrests have been in Odessa.

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