The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-12-23
Late Foreign News.

come Chancellor of the EXchequer, and Dl-
like. Under Foreign Secretary. will enter
the Cabinet. The Times says these changes
may be precursors to even more important
ones, possibly before the end of the next
session o. Parliament. Gladstone may con-
slider himself entitled to retire, and In case
of this contingency there is little doubt
harrington will become Prime Minister.
The Freenaan's Journal says: Davitt
intends to subpoena Gladstone and Trevelyan,
Chief Secretary CT ireland, on the passage
of the Land bill.
The Nicaragua Canal. Why Ex-Seeretary
Blaine Opposes the Scheme.
Washington, Dec. 4.-The Post this
morning publishes an interview with James
q. Blaine in relation to the proposition for
the construction of an interoceanic canal in
Nicaragua, as embodied in the kasson bill
and report. Blaine said 81 never heard a
more extraordinary proposition than for the
United States to expend 10000 600 in a
country where we have no control, and
when we have a treaty with another country
binding us not to assume any control. We
have, no treaty with Nicaragua giving US
control of the canal, after we shall have con-
structed it, while we have a treaty with that
country forbidding our control. | mean,
illANhC1g liAob III llC ia " o0l
wer treaty We engaged with Great Britain
not to fortify the canal when built, in any
manner whatever. These ,wo treaties be-
ing in force it would be reckless folly for US
to expend a large sum of money on the pro-
posed canal. We cannot afford to have any
interoceanic canal in Central America, no
matter who builds it, unless we can control
it. With the control of the canal in our
hands, a vessel-of-war lying in the Gulf of
Mexico is Just as available for the defense of
San Francisco as for the defense of New
York; with the control Of the canal IN Brit
ish hands, an English man-of-war in the
Gulf is just as available for attacking San
Francisco as for attacking New York. The
British Government understands the differ
ence If we do not. If we should pass a
S75, 00.000 appropriation at this time, |
suggest the following title: "A bill to en-
hance the power and prestige of the British
navy and humiliate the Government and
people of the United States"
ExiIed TO CeyIop.
Cairo. Dec. sth.-Ceylon is the place Sc
lected for the rebel prisoners.
Berlin, December Sth.-Great disappoint-
ment was expressed in the Reichstag yes
terday at the absence of Bismarck, who was
OAPONhCo " mum III ddNlICoo
Severe neuralgia pains prevented his at
tendance.
The London fire Dec. 9TH, was the great
est that has occurred in London since the
celebrated Tooley street fire. The loss
is estimated at upwards of E 3, 100000. The
whole block between London Wall, Philip
lane Addle street and Wood Street, except
the warehouses on the corner of London
Wall houa haon 1aSfrouo1 The fro ie not
vet fully subdued, and the remainder of the
block is still in danger. 1t is believed eight
persons are injured, some seriously. Foster,
Porter & Co. had a stock of silk goods which
alone is estimated to have been worth Eco
900. The Salvage Corps has succeeded in
saving a large amount of goods. The walls
of the warehouses burned on Wood street
and Phillip lane fell into the roadway with
a crash like that of thunder. filling the
street with burning debris. At l am. the
the engines were still pouring immense
volumes of water on the ruins. and the fire
was under control. The burnt area is over
two acres. One fireman was killed by the
falling walls.
Total loss by the fire is now estimated at
three million pounds. Eight hundred per-
sons are thrown out of employment.
New York, December Sth.-The Graphic
prints the following from Washington; The
friends of the Nicaragua Canal bill have
begun to press their measure before Con-
gress. Captain Merry of San Francisco, who
represents the Pacific Coast interests in the
matter, is here, and feels confident the bill
will pass. He says Blaine's declaration of
| opposition to it will not hurt the measure in
any way. because there is an animus in
what he says which is apparent. 1t is un-
derstood the State Department regards it as
a wise policy to have such a bill as that
now pending pass Congress is not asked
for money or the guarantee of bonds, but the
bill provides that this Government shall in
sure a profit of 3 per cent upon the capita
stock, not to exceed S75, 900, 900. In return
for which the Canal Company binds itself
to allow the flee passage of American war
vessels and mails for two hundred years.
They concede also a limit of charges upon
shipping which shall pass through the canal
Outside circles most directly interested in
the canal project have little confidence in
the passage of the bill at this session.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee
agreed to report favorably a bill guarantee
ing SIS. 900 900 in three per cent bonds to
aid in the construction of the Nicaragua
Canal.
Iugnr Men do not Want the Duty Reduced
Washington, Dec. S.-The sugar import.
ers and %refners Of the country are bitterly
opposed to the recommendation of the
Tariff Commission with regard TO the duty
on sugar, and they are assembling here fol
the purpose of persuading Congress not to
adopt that recommendation. They saythat
while a nominal reduction of from 10 to IL
per cent is recommended, no actual rcduc-
ton is in fact propcsed, and to adopt the rec
o~mmendation of the commission would
make the law even more complicated and
oppressive than now in its relation to the SUI
gar interest.
Reciprocity with Mexico.
Washington, Dec. s.-A prominent per-
son lntely connected with the diplomatic SER
vice asserts that the hostility of the press
and manufacturers in Mexico to the appoint
ment of commissioners to negotiate a reel
procity treaty will prove fatal to the project,
On the other hand, Senator Maxey is firm