The Portland daily press., 1888-03-30
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS.
How the British Papers Commented
on John Bright's Speech.

LONDON, March 29.-The Daily News con-
siders Mr. Bright's utterances last night
more characteristic than judicious. 1t
doubts the prudence of a man in his position
letting the Canadians see that he does not
care how soon they set up for themselves.
When he calls federation dream, says the
News, he uses precisely the same phraseolo-
gy that was applied generation ago to the
the project OF German unity by boasted
practical men.
The Morning Post says: There is nc
need of insisting upon Mr.. Bright's idiosyn.
cracies. He appeared as a representative
Englishman, and II his good will was moi
quite tempered by discretion, his words will
be judiciously Interpreted in America"
The Daily Telegraph does not think that
Mr.. Bright exhibited his powers Of optimis-
tic foresight to great advantage.
The Times says it ventures to think that II
federation is to be argued down It will re,
quire arguments less ignoble than these used
by Mr.. Bright. However, it says, this part
Of his speech need not be dwelt upon to the
exclusion Of the rest OF it, the strength OF
which lays, in brief, in the argument that
sympathy and free intercourse are the real
civiling forces of the world.
Insane John Ruskln.
1t is now stated on trustworthy informa-
ton in London that John Ruskin has devel-
oped unmistakable symptoms of mental alb
erration. While staying at hotel at Sand
gate quite recently he became strange in his
manner, bought number of bells and
amused himself by ringing them all day,
much to the annoyance of the other guests.
He wrote an incoherent letter to a firm OF
bell manufacturers in London. When they
replied that they could not understand It, he
sent wild abusive letter, addressing them
Bell Be pullers and Beliringers. A crescendo
Of notes of exclamation then followed the
address in London, accompanied with initial
letters at all points of the compass with q
note of interrogation after each. A friend
who paid him visit found him on all fours
saying he was an elephant. One day he be-
came so violent and used such profane Ian
guage that the landlord had to lay violent
hands upon him. He promised to be quiet i
the innkeeper released him, but as soon a:
he get free, struck him in the face, saying
and he had to be removed and placed in I
private asylum.
Two Millions Destitute.
The latest adyices from China say that tn,
crisis in Ho Nan is past, but that the dis
tress Of the people is APPALLING, two million
persons being utterly destitute. The near
est towns are invaded by naked and starving
refugees from the flooded districts.
BaIfour's Safety.
DUBLIN, March 29.-The Dublin Mai
says that the London police have taker
special precautions in consequence of theil
having learned OF projected plot to murder
Secretary Balfour.
Afraid of the Missionaries.
crr pxr-,s.rpc MaroI, 90 Tho Russiar
government has prohibited operations by th'
American Bible society in the Baltic prov
inces 1t is probable that the government
will ultimately expel all representatives oi
British and American Bible societies.
The News In France.
PARIS, March GA storm Of unprece-
dented violence is raging at Brest and much
damage has been DONE Vessels are moi
able to make the passage into or out Of the
harbor.
The subcommittee Of the committee con
sidering the recent election of NJ. Flourens
minister Of foreign affairs. as deputy for th,
department of Hautes Alpes, has made a re
port recommending that the election be an
nulled on the ground that 1t was secured By
| the use Of undue official influence.
Americas Sympathy.
BERLIN, March 29.-Minister Pendleton
| in behalf of the American students in Ger
many. has sent to Count Herbert Bismarcl
letter expressing deep sorrow for tn
death of the Emperor William, and profoun
respect for Emperor Frederick He add
| that these sentiments reflect the feeling o
| the United States government and the Who'll
| American nation.
Or. Mackenzle's Reward.
The Emperor will present to Dr. Macken
zie an autograph letter, with the imperia
decoration, which he intends to bestow upol
him. The formal declaration Of amnesty
delayed, but the persons who are to be paI
doned are being liberated, in order to b
with their families at Easter. The addres
| of the women Of Berlin to Empress Victori
| is being so numerously signed that 1t afford
| convincing proof that the majority oppos,
the unworthy gossip that has been .clrculat
| ed concerning her.
| Foreign Notes.
| A fierce storm with high tides and tida
/ wave has caused great damage in the Nortl
| and South Islands of New Zealand. Tele
| graph wires are prostrated and railroad traf
| fic abandoned.
ALetter from Senator ingalls,.
TOPEKA, Kan, March 29.-ln a letter Il