The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-19
THE VERDICT IN ENGLAND.
Nobody Perfectly Satisfied With the
Result Of the Cronin Case.

LONDON, December 1.-THE verdict in the
case of the Cronin murderers is prolific
source of newspaper comment throughout
the kingdom, and is productive of perfect
satisfaction to nobody. To the few journals
openly or covertly sympathizing with the
prisoners on various grounds, the finding of
the jury seems vindictive and totally at vari-
ance with the evidence as they profess to in
terpret it. These papers are, of course, dis
satisfied. and are early in the field with pre-
dictions that the convicted men will be ac-
quilted If they are granted new trial, but
happily journals of this character are few,
and wholly without influence or standing.
On the other hand the great majority Of
the papers, Liberal and Conservative, regard
the penalties fixed by the jury as ridiculous
ly inadequate to the enormity of the crime
the prisoners were plainly convicted of, and
consequently inclined to express their great
disappointment that the wretches are not to
be hanged forthwith. Nevertheless they
agree that there Is much reason for congrat-
ulation that they are TO suffer life imprison-
ment, and predict that no pardoning power
will ever be found having the hardihood to
defy universal public opinion by mitigating
the severity of the judgment pronounced
upon them. Turning their attention to the
moral influence Of the case, the Tory papers
are peSSimistic to the last degree In estimat-
ing its effect upon the Irish-Americans, sew
eral Of the leading journals declaring that 1t
is too much to hope that even the exposure
Of the aims and methods of Irish societies,
laid bare at the trial, will prevent Ameri-
cans from subscribing money In large sums
for the support Of these murderous organi-
cations,
The West End Scandal.
LONDON. December 18.-As the result OF
the secret examination in connection with
the West End scandal, in the Bow street po-
lice court Monday, summonses were issued
to arrest a solicitor named Arthur Newton,
interpreter named Degola, for conspiring to
defeat justice. 1t is understood that New
tor obtained funds for Hammond, the pro-
prietor of the Cleveland street house, in
which the scandal occurred, and for whose
arrest warrant was issued, and assisted
him in reaching America.
Serpa Pinto's Campaign.
LONDON, December 1S.-The Marquis of
Salisbury has received from Col. Evan Smith
report giving the details of the Serpa Pinto
incident and showing that it occurred in
November. As reported by Pinto 1t was
much modified. The Lisbon papers publish
letters from Mr. Johnston, the British consul
at Mozambique, written in July last, in
Whlch ne asks for passport or safe conduct
for journey to the interior of the country.
The safe conduct was given and the Portu-
guese allegation is that while bearing it,
Johnston excited the Makalolo to revolt
All the Passengers Saved.
LONDON, December 1S.-Steamers Leer-
dam. bound from Amsterdam to Buenos
Ayres, with 400 passengers, ,and Gawauansia,
bound from Calcutta to Hamburg, collided
in the North Sea today and both sank. All
on board the two vessels were saved and
taken to Cuxhaven by the French steamer
Emma.
Foreign Notes.
The influenza epidemic is spreading in GEN.
trail and southern Germany
France, acting in accordance with England,
is about to recognize Hippolyte as president
of Hayti.
A large number of the striking employees of
the South Metropolitan Gas Company have
applied to be taken back. Their places have
been filled by competent men.