The Portland daily press., 1884-10-13

articles OF the last convention. 1t is reported that
the British War Office is already preparing an ex-
pedition OF 5000 men to proceed to South Africa,
India army. The withdrawal Of the proclamation
annexing the Monte Ceras territory is not expected
to alter the position of affairs as the Beers continue
10 hold their grip upon lands.
France and China.
PARIS, Oct. 11.-Admiral Courbet telepraphs
from Kelung as follows: ST am erecting defences
for the troops to occupy at this post, and mines,
which it will take several days to complete. The
landing parties from Admiral Lespes' squadron AZ
Tamsui reconnoitred the posts from which Chinese
torpedoes were fired. They found that these pests
were defended by a large number of infantry, who
were ambushed in dense thlckets An engagement
took place and six members of the reconnoiteriDg
parties we're killed, including naval lieutenant.
The harbor is defended by line OF torpedoes only,
but the shallowness of the water prevents the ap-
proach of large vessels. The torpedoes close to
the shore. and this renders dragging for them dan
gerous. am making an effective Blockade at Tam
sni SUI ! ! am also 6Iockading Fai Wan Foo and ia
Kan Kan, on the West coast of Formosa,-the only
points available on the island for the landing of
inforcements'
LONDON. Oct. 12.-The Paris correspondent of
the Daily Telegraph believes tina. China a week ago
made the following offers to Premier Ferry through
the American government: The Chinese forces TO
withdraw from Tonquin,, Kelnng to be temporarily
occupied by the krench at the conclusion of a six
months armistice the dispute being in the mean
while settled by the arbitration Of America. The
correspondent says tna6 NJ. Fofry objected to the
last suggestion, asking why China could not make
overtures directly with him.
The Shanghai correspondent OF the Times reports
that riot occurred at Oenchow on October g. when
the mob burned missionaries houses and the Gus
tom house with its records. No lives were lost.
French Editors Duel.
The expected duel between NJ. Lower. editor of
the National Belge of Brussels. and NJ Gautier, of
the Rationale of Paris, was fought to-day, the
weapons being rapiers. Lower received a serious
wound in the breast. Lower challenged Gautier
for making unfayorable comments in his paper
upon Belgian Liberals.
Killed by Eating Mushrooms.
Eleven pupils of the School Of Agriculture at
Bordeaux have died from the effects of eating
mushrooms gathered In the woods near the school.
The Cholera.
ROME, Oct. 12.-It is reported to-day that in the
cholera infected districts OF Italy there were 239
fresh cases and 1877 deaths, including 10 fresh
cases and 81 deaths at Naples.
Riots i'm Brandenburg.
BERLIN, Oct. 12.-There have been Socialist riots
at Brandenburg. mob there tore up the street
pavement and attacked the police with stones. The
military was called out and several persons were
wounded on both Sides Numerous arrests were
made.
Widespread Devastation i'm Sicily.
ROME, Oct. 11.-Advices received to-day from
Catania show that the cyclone there was far
more destructive than at first announced. The
entire country about Catania is devastated. Vine
yards and olive gardens have vanished It has now
been ascertained that fully 5000 dwellings were
destroyed.
ROME, Oct. 12.-Catania has been visited by
another cyclone. Thirty persons were killed.