The record-union., 1896-11-15
No Serious or Widespread Famine An1cl-
pated in Ireland.
Those Suffering From Crop Failures
Promptly Assisted.
Not Believed in Official Circles That
the Promised Reforms in Turkey
Will Prove Effective-The EduCa-
tion Bill the First Measure TO
be Considered When Parliament
Meets.

be CONSIDERED WHICH FdEiidiASHI
Meets.
LONDON, Nov. 14.-Endeavoring to
obtain from official sources further in
formation regarding the impending
famine in Ireland, representative of
the United-Associated Presses learned
that although the local Irish authori-
ties reported on the failure of the crops
in many districts, the official view was
that no serious or widespread famine
was anticipated.
There can now be no really extensive
famine in Ireland, the arrangements
for relief having been so perfected that
the central authorities in Dublin can
assist the local authorities at almost a
moments notice.
Into the question of suspension of
rent payments by the farmers the Off
cials interviewed declined to go. From
other sources it can be affirmed that
the Dublin Castle authorities have been
warned of the wholesale refusal of the
smaller farmers to pay their rents on
the simple ground of inability. There
has been up till now remarkable alb
sence of agrarian crime in Ireland.
REFORMS IN TURKEY.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
Sultan has promised to execute sweep
ing reforms throughout his dominions
his promises are still looked at askance
by those who have experience in deal
ing with his artfulness. In spite of the
fact that orders have already been CIV
en- for the putting into effect of some Of
ha &c holt
that they will prove effective.
The jubilation among the newspapers
over the restoration of the concert Of
the powers, which, it is claimed here,
is responsible for the pressure brought
10 bear upon the Sultan, which COM
PEELED him to grant the reforms, may be
shortlived. Cynical observers Of the
situation do not place much faith in the
claims that Great Britain had a promi-
nent part in the concert. They main
tain that Russia, acting through
France. is the country that deserves the
credit for forcing the Sultan to under
stand that he must mend his ways and
do something besides making promises
that he never intends to fulfill.
If this is really the case there is little
room 10 doubt that there will be radi-
cal change in the Turkish policy for
Russia is really the only power Of
which the Sultan stands in fear. Great
Britain may blow and buster, but the
ruler Of Turkey well knows that she is
utterly impotent to do anything more
than to make threats, and she is not
threa tening now as much as she did
a year ago.
With Russia it is a different matter.
Of course it hurts British pride to know
that Russia, acting through France,
has been able to accomplish more with
the Sultan than has she, Turkeys self
constituted protector, and it may be
that it Is this feeling of injury that
leads official circles here to believe that
what England could not accomplish
would also be impossible for France.
But the fact remains that 1t was to Nj.
Hauotaux the French Foreign Minis
ter, that the Sultan first promised the
granting of reforms more sweeping in
their nature than those promised 10
Great Britain months ago. not one of
which was ever put into effect, and that
already some of these last-promised re-
forms are now being carried out
BRITISH POLITICS.
Government legislation for the coming
session, have decided upon opening
business with the education bill, fol-
lowed by a military works bill and an
elaborate measure dealing with the
appointment of masters and work
mems Cancellation board. The mill
tary works measure was prepared for
last year. but was postponed owing to
the exigencies of the parliamentary
situation The great military harbors
in Britain are to have their armaments
increased and the forts at Malta, Glib
raltar Hongkong, Singapore and other
stations are to be enlarged and
strengthened Conjoined with this
military works bill is scheme for aid
ing the Colonial Government In the
protection of their harbors.
BANQUET TO CHAMBERLAIN.
The Devonshire Club gives an honor
arv banquet to Chamberlain about the
middle of December. The Devonshire
Club. since the split between the Home
Rulers and Unionists in the National
Liberal Club has been the rallying
place of the Liberal Unionists. Under
the fostering care of Chamberlain. the
Liberal Unionists dominate the man
agement Of the club. and Austen Cham
berlain is an active member OF the COM
mittee. The club has solid basis, but
cannot be said TO prosper The Lioeral
clubs are waning in membership. While
Conservative clubs boom.
A BIG CLUBHOUSE.
The Conservative managers of the
Constitutional Club have ventured
upon a scheme grander than anything
in clubs the world has yet seen They
are inviting. by private circular, sub
scriptions for the erection OF building
which Is to be adapted to the uses OF
15OOo members. This club is to be the
focus of all Conservative movements.
and is TO have ballroom admitting OF
the largest gatherings of the party.
theater for lectures or dramatic per-
formances, cheap membership admis-
sion and a cheap cuisine. The Carlton,
Junior Carlton, Conservative, Junior
Conservative and kindred groups will
subscribe and patronize. but personally
their members will hold aloof.
WATER FOR LONDON.
The supplying of water for London
from Wales is an old scheme. 1t is
calculated that between the amount re-