The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-06-13
THE OLD WORLD.
Gladstone's Resignation Accepted
by the Queen.
The Earl of Salisbury Summoned to
Form New Ministry.
Fire in the South Kensington Ex-
position Building.
The Indian Museum and Contents Ruined


LONDON, June 12.-Fire broke out this after
noon in the Indian Museum "Annex" to the
great building in which is being held the inter-
national exhibition of inventions. This de-
partment is situated just north OF the main en-
trance to the exhibition, and between the east
ern wall of the exhibition building proper, and
the exhibition road. The museum was filed
with evidences of the handicraft of India, in
carved woodwork mainly, and other like in
hammable articles. The flames spread
with alarming rapidity, and the whole inn
mense structure was regarded as doomed to de-
struction. The visitors in the exhibition and
the attendants, as soon as they heard the first
Cry OF fire, fed from the building, and all es-
capped without accident. The fire department
quickly responded to the alarm, and soon fully
fifty engines were sending heavy streams of
water into the burning museum and upon the
adjacent property. The iremen finally OBJ
tanned the mastery over the flames, but not
until many articles in the India Museum had
been almost entirely destroyed, and the Muse
um building itself very seriously damaged.
The flames did not extend to the immense
structure in which the exhibition proper is be-
ing held, and thus the actual calamity dreaded
was prevented. The damage to the main exhi-
bition is, however, considerable.
LATER.
GOO p. m.)-The Indian museum building
was damaged beyond repair, while its contents
may be said to be completely destroyed. The
Indian department of the exhibition is ia fact
blotted out. There were 1000 visitors in the
exhibition grounds at the time the fire broke
out, and as soon as these and many of the at
tendants recovered from the excitement they
all engaged in the work of removing tho books
of record of the exhibition and in saving the
more valuable exhibits. The main exhibi-
tion building was not materially damaged.
The Cholera in Spain.
MADRID, June 12.-Eleven cases of disease
resembling cholera are reported in this city,
and tons 1an kt.cN -
the malsdy reported. Sanitary officials con-
tinue the work of disinfecting the streets and
keeping large bonfres burning at all available
points. Into these bonfires quantities of sui
phur are cast frequently. Seven new cases of
cholera and three deaths occurred today in the
city of Murcia, and three new cases and ten
deaths ia the province OF Murcia, outside the
city. A number of new cases of cholera and
deaths therefrom are reported from other dis
tricts in Spain.
The Crisis in England.
LONDON, June 12.-The following bulletin
was posted this afternoon:
The Queen has accepted the resignation of
the Gladstone ministry, and has summoned
the Earl of Salisbury to form new cabinet.
Gladstone announced in the House of Com
mons this afternoon that he had resigned his
office, and that the Queen had accepted his
ed him that she had summoned the Marquis of
Salisbury, leader of the opposition in the
House of Lords, to Balmoral for the purpose of
entrusting him with the formation of new
ministry.
1t was reported today in certain circles that
the Marquis of Salisbury, after consultation
with the Conservative leaders, had decided to
advise that efforts be made to induce Mr. Glad
stone to reconsider his resolve to resign, and
should these efforts fail, then to suggest that
Sir Stafford Northcote be called upon to form
a cabinet.
The House nf Comn1nns thia aftarnoon n ID
journed until Monday, after having reached
an agreement that legislation on the redistri-
bution OF seats be resumed on that date.
The Marquis of Salisbury has consented to
form ministry, with Sir Stafford Northcote
as Chancellor of the Excheguer.