, 1896-04-25
1 e l. Il G Il A VI S.
ST. GROIN STATION.

Bill in the House Of Commons OH Monday
proposing that the Government instead or
assessing the whole ratable value of land
assess half the ratable value, buildings to be
assessed at their full value as at present.
The adoption Of this will cause IL deficiency
of Ell 800, 900 sterling; this, however, would
be balanced BY half yearly payments from
tile Treasury to tue counties to which the
1915, 900 had been further allotted toc the
reduction Of the agricultural rating. he
stated that the Tenants would chiefly proht
by this relief. During the discussion which
followed Sir Henry H. Fowler said the Bill
would he opposed uncompromlslngty as being
grossly unjust and inexpedient. Sir Charles
Dixie, Mr.. HaIdane, Sir William Harcourt
and Mr.. Dillon expressed similar views. The
Bill, however, was subsequently read a LIST
time.
The Times publishes a telegram from
Pretoria stating that President hrnger's re
ply to MI. Chamberlain is IL friendly one
but not final, it repeats that he cannot ask
the Volksraad to sanction his visit to london
until the basis of the discussion IS settled.
The TransvaaI, it says, insists upon her 1nde-
pendence according to the convention OF 1854
and cannot permit any foreign power to
interfere III the internal affairs OF the Coun-
try.
A des patch from Cape Town reports that
a supply train from Mafekin5 has reached
Bulnwayo and that the troops were advancing;
the ONLY fear now 70 the safety Of the latter
place being treachery.
Other advices state that fifteen hundred
Beers have massed about twenty tive miles
from Matching with machine guns,ostensisly
to guard cattle, but more probably to observe
the movements of the British troops. Com
l..oh 4 Aona;o, &C faol;Ar AYlEfG both I'm
South Africa aud England.
London news in reference to Mr.. Chamber
lain's statement regarding increasing the
garrison at the Cape says a much greater
movement of troops has been decided upon
than was indicated by Mr.. Chamberlain.
At a conference on Friday last between
Lord Lansdowne. Mr.. Chamberlain, Lord
Wolseley, and General Sir Redvers Butler 1t
was, it is said, arranged to pour troops into
Cape Colony and Natal, although, as already
reported in direct opposition to the advice or
Sir Hercules Robinson.
The DAILY Chronicle in an editorial, ex-
presses the opinion that if the Government
deliberately intends to subjugate the Dutch
in revenge for DR.. Jameson's defeat, English
men should be up and doing.
The "Daily News reports that there are
signs of active revolt against the policy OF
the Secretary or state Ior Ine Oolouios u"
Sir Hercules Robinson.
The Globe and other organs both Union
ist and Liberal protest against the Govern
ment showing timidity before the Beers or
submitting while the Transvaal is armlng
itself; the Globe even suggesting the dis
missal Of Sir Hercules Robinson as beng too
subservient to the Transvaal Government.
1t is reported that President Kruger pur-
poses sending an official to England on a
mission connected with charges that the
Tran<vaal has violated the convention OF
1884 forbldding the Transvaal TO grant pre-
ferential rates to any power against BRUSH
imports, it being asserted that Presldent
Kruger allows a large rebate and reduction
in railway rates to German imports with q
disastrous result to British trade.
The Central News states that all Military
officers away on leave have been ordered to-
hold themselves in readiness te return to
South Africa Immediately.
1t is reported that the reforms to be grant
ed Cuba will exceed the proposals made IN
1895. but will not include autonomy or tarl1
reform.
New York agents allege that previous
deception and the present hopeful outlook OF
the campaign are good reasons for continuing
the war, and accepting nothing but indepen-
dence. They are willing, however, to pur-