National Republican., 1883-06-29


taking possession of New Guinea. The sub
ject has been very popular one with the
Australasian colonists for many years. In
1875 Sir Hercules Robinson, who was then
governor Of New South Wales, pressed tho
annexation very strongly on tho imperial
government, and the Earl of Carnarvon, tho
secretary of state for the colonies, in replying
to that gentleman stated clearly enough
that the British crown was not adverse TO
tho annexation. He was of tho opinion,
however, that the cost Of tho enterprise
should bo borne by tho colonies themselves.
Mr.. Archer, the agent general Of Queensland
at London. some months ago addressed an
official communication to tho imperial gov
ernment asking tho sanction of the crown TO
annexation, and at the same stating emphatl-
cally that tho government of Queensland was
not only willing but fully prepared to incur
the necessary expenditure Of governing the
island. Tho imperial government has not
yet officially sanctioned tho annexation, but
that II will do so there is little doubt"
sSs
"Since Australia has been classed by geo.
graphers as continent" continued the dip
lomat, New Guinea is unquestionably the
largest island in the world IL is $50 miles
larger than the great island of Borneo, and is
more than six times as large as the state of
Now York. 1t lies VIII oily south of the equa-
tor, between the parallels % go and 10o 42'
south latitude, and between the meridians Of
1902 so and 1902 50 cast longitude It's cx-
treme length is 1880 miles, and its breadth
varies from 80 to 410 miles. 1t is sep
arated on the south from Australia
by tho Straits of Endeavor and Torres,
and on the east from New Britain by Dam
pier strait. Its northern shores are
washed by the Pacific ocean, and on the west
lie Ceram and other islands of the Molucoa
sea. The island of New Guinea is SO vast,
and the difficulty of communicating between
the various settlements is so great, that it
would be matter rather of surprise than
otherwise if the native inhabitants did not
appear to present several distinct types OF
| race. The color Of their complexion varies
from a deep sooty brown or black to shade
not much darker than that of tho Malay.
THE villages are thinly populated, and
seldom contain more than ten or twelve
houses, and generally less than that. The
total aboriginal population of the island is
variously estimated from 100000 to 100000.
VERY little is known about the interior OF
the island, and with the exception of the
voyage made UP the Maikasa and Fly rivers
1t may we'll be doubted whether any of the
travellers have penetrated more than twenty
OF thirty miles within land. The geological
structure and the fauna and fora Of New
Guinea bear a strong resemblance to those of
Australia, and this resemblance has led to the
belief in the existence of gold in the island
and j have in my possession some specimens
! of quartz obtained from tho mountainous re.
gions, these having the appearance of gold
bearing veins. The indications certainly
point to the existence of precious metals In
New Guinea. 1t will be seen by what l have
said that the British government has obtained
possession Of vast territory that may prove
to be as valuable an acquisition as Australia
| @"s
An ex-member Of congress from northern
| Alabama who has just arrived in the city
says that a sad and entirely unwarranted out.
rage was perpetrated upon Ave innocent col
ored men in Limestone county last week. III
| appears" he said, "that q stranger had ar.
rived in the county from Nashville, Tenn.
for the purpose of buying grain. He stopped
at certain house for tho night In company
with man named Neal, who arose very early
to leave, but before doing SO called tc
the stranger to get up and fasten
the door, which instead of doing went tc
sleep. Some person or persons entered the
room and murdered him by splitting open his
head with an AK. A colored man was ar.
rested, examined, and discharged, and two
others arrested and, after being examined
were also released. Finally, the three men
referred TO, with two others, were rearrested
and all hanged by q mob without judge oil
jury. Limestone county is in tho eighth
congressional district, represented by Hon
Luke Pryor.
ga
Representative Joe Blackburn arrived in
the city last night, and for the next few day
he win devote his time to the task of secur
ing reconsideration of one phase of tn,
revenue consolidation scheme so far as relates
to two Kentucky districts. Under the plar
adopted by President Arthur and Secretary
Folger the Covington and Lexington dis
tricts are consolidated and the CovingtoI
collectorship abolished but the Lexington
collector is ordered to establish himself il
Covington. Covington and Lexington arc IL
arms about II, and Blackburn is here to urg
the retention Of tho oollectorship II
Lexington. Mr. Carlisle, who is from
Covington, is expected in day or two Il
represent the interests Of his constituents
and when the two candidates for speako
come together in preliminary skirmish owe
O little loaf and fish, rising in the tempera
ture may be looked for in this Vicinity, Tn
possibility Of another Virginia duel looms Vi
rs remote possibility.
s#4
at is a mistake to suppose that nationa
banks are decreasing in number" said
treasury official. "New banks have bee
organized for the past ak months at the rat
Of one day. A great majority of them ar
in western states, and as q rule they begi
life with capital stock of $4,000
and the smallest circulation permits
sible, to secure which they are re
auired to deposit $12,5oO with tn
treasurer. Many of the larger banks are re
duoing their circulations, and quito numbc
of the heavier institutions in New York hav
retired their circulation altogether, or nearl
So. National bank circulation is Of worry littl