The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-12-28

| NEW YORK, Dec. GA cable special says
there is great commotion in the English war
Office in consequence of a rumor that Dub
lin mail bag has been intercepted by Fenians
on its way to London and rifled of its contents.
LONDON, Dec. GA despatch from Dublin
to the Times says:-It is generally said that so
dull and sad a Christmas was never expert.
enced here. Sullen depression marks the
spirit of the people, and the traders, who have
for some time been feeling very acutely the
effects of the disturbed state of the country,
are beginning to exhibit signs of great embar-
rassment The agitation which is paralyzing
trade, putting capital to flight and poisoning
commercial life, still extends its deadly infu-
helpless dismay. The efforts of the Land
League are now chiefly directed toward the
North of Ireland, where it is persistently try
ing to overcome the repugnance to its prac-
tees. There can be little doubt it has succeed
ed considerably. where most all the districts
are honeycombed with its organization. The
exertions of the agitators are also directed to-
ward county Dublin ard the borders of Dublin
itself. Malahide, near Dublin, was the scene
of second demonstration on Sunday, but
there was no reason to boast of its success.
DUBLIN, Dec. 27.-Many of the jurors in the
State trials are securely Boycotted and will be
unable to answer to their names when called
Mrs. Dunlap and daughter were fred at in
Manastroboce, county Leuth, but neither was
hurt. al'f
tive nuuQf6Q troops nave DoeQ SoQG TO Q1ffer-
ent parts of Ireland since Friday.
Home Ruler members of Parliament held a
meeting to-day. Parnell was elected chairman
and Justice Mccarthy vice chairman. A res
olution was carried binding the members to sit
in opposition to every government that refused
the just demands of the Irish people, especial
ly that for legislative independence. When
Parnell left the meeting the crowd detached
the horses from the carriage and drew the
vehicle through the streets.
The Durham Disaster Exaggerated.
DURHAM, Dec. 27.-The disaster to the 9th
were killed and wounded. The rest were dis
armed and allowed to proceed to Pretoria. A
steamer with 40 soldiers has arrived at Dur
ban. s@f iHh h9 '8f
Witnesses for Alleged Murderers Killed.
LONDON, Ont, Dec. 27.-The five persons
killed Saturday, while crossing the railroad
track, were all witnesses in the Great Rid
dulph murder trial. The prisoners, six in
number, are still in Jail and were greatly ex.
cited when they heard of the accident as the
parties were witnesses in their behalf.
The Greek Question.
LONDON, Dec. 27.--An Athens despair to the
Times says:-The Government, without abso-
lutely refusing European arbitration of the
Greek question, seems DESTROYS of knowing
whether Europe desires to recede from its for
mer decision, and whether it will charge itself
with the execution of its Interior decisions.
The position OF the Government is very diff
cult, as public opinion against arbitration is
strong. The kings language on the scheme is
very decidedly negative, even more so than
that of the ministers, so its acceptance appears
impossible.
m Disastrous Floods in Spain.
MADRID, Dec. H.-Great destruction of prop
erty has been caused in Corunna by floods
Eleven Miners Killed by a Fire Damp
Explosion.
PARIS, Dec. 27.-An explosion of fire damp
occurred to-day in the coal pit at St. Etienne,
while the miners were at work. Eleven bodies
have been recovered up to the present time.