Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-01-01

CuSiheilt vi tLc
Germany was very active in Africa, and
extended a protectorate over the Gamer
oons district. An International Council
was proposed and agreed TO by all leading
nations to settle the African west
shore question. Germany, Russia
and Austria conferred with Portugal
and decided that England snail
only place the south coast of New Guinea
and adjacent islands under British protec-
ton. A conference of the Powers and of
America was agreed 10 on the Congo ques-
ton to regulate the commerce of the ma
tons with the Congo country. France in
sisted that the trade of the Niger river
should also be considered. The Hanoverian
struggle continued as TO the Brunswick sue
ceSsion. The Duke of Cumberland received
no support from Germany in his claim to
the throne. He announced that he had
assumed the Government of the Duchy of
Brunswick, but soon after news came of
his intention to retire to England, Austria
having sigEitied its objection TO his residing
there
In England Parliament reconvened. The
Queens speech was brief and without at-
firmatiye force The franchise bill was
Immediately pushed through first read
ing. Efforts were made, with fair promise
of . success, for q compromise between
Gladstone and the Earl of Salisbury TO Sc
cure the passage of the franchise bill, but
the scheme suddenly collapsed Later 1t
was renewed.
In Africa English determination to stand
to the London Convention resulted in the
-Transvaal Government Withdrawing the
proclamation anneXing Montsoyias Terri
tory.
In France the Government voted $4,000
francs TO the relief of the unemployed work
men of Lyons. English mediation In the
China difficulty was declined.
In the Dominion the dynamite scare was
revived by an explosion at Quebec IN
which an attempt was made TO blow up a
church.
Russia executed several officers for polit-
zeal ofienses.
In Belgium, in the elections, the Clericals
gained eleven cities, and the Liberals
eighteen. Rioting followed
Greece concluded a commercial treaty
with Germany.
In Panama a revolution was in progress
at the close OF the month.
NOVEMBER.
In this month the news was received that
a treaty Of commerce relative to trade with
the West Indies had been concluded be
students were in revolt because of the CEN
surfing of one of the University Faculty for
advocating freer education.
In Egypt the Soudan campaign showed
few changes The Mahdi was defeated by
Gordon in a sharp engagement The tinan-
cial situation grow worse. England re-
iected N0rthbrook's propositions but sub
sequently proposed scheme to scale the
interest on shares of the Suez canal held by
English bondholders, and the reduction of
the Debt Publique. The situation created
great excitement in England Europe pro-
testing against the suspension of the sink
ing fund, the floating Gebt unable to be
liduidated, taxation at its EXTREMIST limit,
the treasury empty, 1t appeared as II Eng
land must support the garrisons and posi-
bly, supply the deficiency in the public
funds, even if occupation of the country
became necessary.
In England, outside of the Egyptian
problem, the chief interest centered about
the franchise bill. 1t passed to its second
reading in the Lords on a compromise that
that it should pass if the Government
would pledge itself to introduce 4 Tedis-
tributiOn bill satisfactory TO the several
parties Gladstone declined TO state, how
ever, the character of any measure the
Government would proffer until the Lords
passed the franchise bill. Lord Randolph
Churchill endeavored to secure the censure
of Mr. Chamberlain on charges of melting
disorder at the Birmingham demonstra-
ton, but Chamberlain crushed him
by proofs that the Tories eX-
cited the disturbance, and that
Liberals suffered personal violence.
The Government was constantly hindered
in its effort to push the business of Parlia-
70, |
Fawcett was deplored as public calamity.
Agricultural depression broughta lowering
of rents. The Government announced that
it would abandon none of its South African
possessions, nor seek jurisdiction beyond
their present limits. England claimed
control of the Niger, but proposed to clear
it and open it to the world. She declined
a second conference of the Powers in the
Egyptian question. The Anglo-Portuguese
treaty relative to the Congo, owing to Ger
many's objection, it was announced by
Earl Granville would be abandoned Out
of this grew the Congo Conference else
where referred to.
The Congo Conference met at Berlin, Bis
marck presiding. and the United States
represented. The Chair stated the purposes
to be to solve the questions of free naviga-
ton, with freedom of trade on the Congo
;
formalities of valid annexation of territory
to be observed in future on the continent of
Africa. This constituted the positive aim
of the conference. Negatively the confer
ence would not concern itself with the
present questions of sovereignty. The
United States delegates supported the
claims of the African International Asso-
citation The sessions Of the conference
were secret. 1t was rumorcd that Stanley s
plans would, substantially, be accepted by
the conference.
In France the Chambers voted 100000
francs credit for the Tonquin campaign,
and gave the Government Il vote of conf
dence.
III Germany the elections for the Reichs-
tag resulted as follows: Conservatives, 50 ;
Center % Imperials, 81 Nationals, So
German Liberals, 81 Poles, 16; Nolkspar-
tel, . Alsatians, IA; Guelphs, 5; Socialists,
10 The Socialists adopted a bitterly hos
tile programme against the Government,
and to secure repeal of the Socialist laws.
Bismarck fought valiantly proposition to
salary the members of the Reichstag, but
the scheme was widely popular. The
Budget showed a serious decline in rev.
enues, and that taxation must be increased
seemed inevitable. A bill for loan of
10055 600 marks was passed TO meet army,
navy and railroad expenses.
In the Chinese Franco difficulty, England
was asked to mediate. China refused the
indemnity demands, and declared the affair
at Lang Son was the sole fault of the
French. France gave notice that she was
negotiating direct with China for settle
ment France having moved actively on
Formosa, China ordered her fleet to depart
for that quarter, and emphatically denied
the stories of French victories in Formosa.
Two French gunboats being shelled on the
Claire river, the French in repriSal ordered
an assault upon Black Flags and Chinese
regulars near Tu Yen Quon.
Russia and the Vatican settled toward
each other on friendly relations.
In Ireland a dynamite attempt to blow
up Edinburn House was made the owner
being large land agent. Great excitement
prevailed in Cork
The cholera abated in Italy and the south
of Trance, but suddenly appeared in Paris,
and & panic ensued.
DECEMBER.
The Congo Conference at Berlin on the
last day of November received the report of
its committee in, favor Of the freedom of
trade within the limits of the newly-defined
Congo basin. As TO the extent OF the free
trade and the limit OF its operation there
was variance of opinion, and long debates
ensued A committee of the Conference
on the Sth accepted Englands proposal re-
garding the freedom of the Niger to COM
merce, subject to the sanction of the Con-
fareDca 4 subcommittee rejected Cen