The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-10-11
NEWS FROM ABROAD.
Leading Events in the Old World
Flashed Under the Ocean.
Many Persons Killed and Wounded by q
Cyclone in Sicily-French Victories In
China The Egyptian Question
Spain Sugar Decree.
OTHER FOREIGN MATTERS.

ceived of a cyclone at Catania, on the Island
Of Sicily. Trees were uprootcd and houses
destroyed and twenty persons killed and
fifty injured. Owing to the severity of the
cyclone, it was impossible to render assist
ance to the sufferers during its prevalence.
PARIS, Oct. 9.-An official dispatch from
| Hanoi yesterday states that Colonel Dennier,
with two battalions of foreign legion,
two companies of infantry and a section
of mountain artillery had an engage
ment with Chinese troops in the valley
of the Loo Chuan River, which lasted six
hours. The Chinese made a stubborn re-
sstance. but were finally completely routed.
Four gunbOats assisted the French forces.
-Four of the French, including Captain,
were killed and twenty were wounded The
forces under Colonel Dennier are continuing
! to advance.
PARIS Oct. Gle Temps publishes a
| letter from Brussels which states that dele
| gates representing the Government of En-
gland America, Portugal, Spain, Holland
and Belgium will attend an International
conference in Berlin, probably the latter
part of November, at which the West
African question will be considered The
letter states that France and Germany have
agreed to submit proposals to the confer
ence securing the freedom of commerce to
all nations in the Congo country and upon
the River Niger. The necessity of deter
minimizing the right of any power to occupy
any of the unanneXed territory in Africa, Ii
is expected, will result in the creation by
the conference Of an international commits
sion of the Congo, similar to the Canadian
commission.
PARIS Oct 9.-The report Of the Budget
Committee Deputies states that the decrease
of the National receipts has been aggravated
by the reduction of the receipts from rail-
ways caused by the cessation of travel con-
SeQuent upon the prevalence Of the cholera
epidemic. The Minister of Commerce will
ask the Chambers for an appropriation OF
| So 500, 900 to enable him to complete the
payments of the guaranteed interest prom
iSed by the State to the railways
PARIS, Oct 6.-General Dedisle sends
dispatch stating that upon hearing that Chi
nese troops between Bacle and Langson
were moving forward, he took measures
necessary to drive them back to their gun
boats. A brilliant engagement ensued, four
thousand Chinese troops being pitted
against him. Commander Chalie, of the
Maseue, was killed in the fight. When the
dispatch was sent, the Chinese were steadi-
ly being driven back, having lost heavily.
PARIS, October 6.-Admiral Cour-
bet commenced operations against ke-
Lung on Wednesday, and Admiral
Lespes attacked Tamsui on Thursday.
Ferry has informed his colleagues
that further achievements are required for
Tonquin, in consequence of the increased
preparations for war being made by China.
CRlrbet teegraphs: 1--WE have completed
the occupation of Ke-Lung without re-
sistance The batteries at Tamsui were
dsmantled. 1t will be necessary before
proceeding to the coal mines to fortfy the
principal POSITIONS so as to enable small
force TO hold them. Sunken junkS and
torpedoes in the river are being removed"
SuAKIM, Oct. 6-Major Brewster has
started from Bahr-Kuta with 400 friendly
Arabs to cut off 200 rebels of the Asaorta
tribe, who intend to plumber the Amhard
tribe. and compel them to join the rebels.
CAIRO, Oct. 6.-Gencral Gordon has had
medals struck off to commemorate the siege
of Khartoum. They have been bestowed
upon the troops and also upon the women
and children who shared in the hardShipS
of the siege-upon the latter because mer-
tied by their sutieringS
LONDON, Oct. G.-The German and Aus
trian newspapers speak with enthusiasm of
GordOns recapture of Berber. The Vienna
Tdgblottt says: "The story of the defense
of Khartoum will live in history. 1t proves
tina, British energy and genius are not
dead"
LONDON, Oct. 6.-General Baker has been
ordered to hold himself in readiness to join
the Gordan Relief Expedition.
MADRID, Oct 6.-king Alfonso has
signed decree abolishing the duties levied
by Spain upon Cuban sugars; creating diff
ferentia flag duties upon Spanish West In
dia sugars imported into Spain in foreign
vessels; increasing duties on all foreign
sugars; discriminating In favor Of sugar
from nations having treNies, and against
nations without like England and America.
LONDON, Oct THE Cabinet yesterday
considered Lord Northbrooks first state
ment relative TO the condition of Egypt
His reports are very unfavorable. The Cab
met also considered dispatches from Sir
Hercules Robinson, Governor of the Cape
of Good Hope, urging that reinforcements
be sent against the Beers. Upon the adj
journment of the council dispatches vera
forwarded to General Wolseley, which are
supposed to refer to the acceleratiOn Of the
expedition up the Nile, and TO limit the
cost thereof which latter item is reported to
alarm the ministry. Earl Spencer sent the
Government gloomy reports relative to the
prospect for the coming winter in Ireland.
Although the harvest is reported good, low
prices prevent the farmers from paying
their rents. Should the landlords insist
upon their full legal rights, evictions will
ensue and crime will revive At the open
ing of Parliament the Government will ask
for further credit but the amount is at
present unknown. The Nile expedition is
estimated TO cost sl50,000 q day. The
Cabinet will meet again on Wednesday.
LONDON, Oct. THE war office is I'M
certain as to the fate of Colonel Stewart and
the forty men en- route to Dongola. The
steamer struck some rocks and could not be
foated. A bargain was made with some
Arabs TO provide camels and conduct the
party through the desert to Merawi. The
Arabs proved treacherous, massacred the
first party which landed, and then boarded
the vessel and killed the remainder, with
the exception Of four men whose names are
unknown. 1t is feared that Colonel Stew
art is among the killed. II is unknown
whether Mr.. Power the correspondent of
the Times, had returned TO khartOum or
yra with Colonial St.u-pte