Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-06

1t Is doubtful If such a crisis in the re-
cent history OF Great Britain was ever
reached, even in the most troublesome Of
times and, therefore, it is beginning to
dawn upon people here that they have q
small army, compared with those of the
continental powers or with the forces the
United States could easily place under
arms, and that the British fleet powerful
as it is, could not begin to successfully
meet the combined fleets of Russia. France
and Germany even if the United States
were only threatening trouble But, if IL
war with the United States was thrown
in, it is believed that the British empire
would Soon Crumble into Dust.
Queen Victoria has been kept fully in
formed concerning the most Important
questions agitating the foreign colonial
offices, and the number of despatch boxes
sent to her has been doubled. These boxes
are sent by the various departments of the
government to Buckingham palace, the
London residence of the queen. and from
there they are forwarded by special mos
sengers to Osborne house, Isle of Wight,
where her majesty has been spending the
Christmas and New Year holidays
The Prince of Waes is to visit Lowther
castle. where Lord Lonsdale has made
magnificent preparations to receive him,
and lively house party has been invited
to meet the prince. The prince will &C
cupy the same rooms which Emperor
William occupied during his recent visit
to the castle, and the party will go out
shooting daily. Wonderful bags of game
are expected to be the result rs the covers
have long been untouched. Every detail
of the battues has been carefully arranged
and in some instances rchear;ed
The new year honor list contained two
surprises, Sir Frederick Leighton. Bart
president of the Royal academy. being
elevated to the peeragc, and Alfred Austin
being made poet laureate of England
But both were we'll received The eleya-
ton of Henry HucSs- Gibbs, director of tho
Bank of England and president of tho
British Bmetallic association, to the peer
age, had long been expected He was for
many years proprietor of the St. James
Gazette, two of his sons arc members of
parliament, and one Of them married u
niece of the Marquis of Salisbury
Among the baroncts created in honor of
the new year are two distillers, two col
lery owners and one cotton spinner.
Science is recognized by the lnighthood
of Professor Joseph Prestwich, the celc-
brated Oxford geolgogst.
A Negro Knighted.
The list is also remarkable as for the
first time pure blooded negro has been
knighted. He is Sir s. Lewis was born
in Sierra Leone, was admitted to the bar
here in 1871 and became chief Justice OF
Sierra Leone in 1892.
The new act for the protection of mar
ried women went into effect on Wednes-
day last, and on the Thursday following
there We're six applications under its pro-
visions. The justice to whom the applica-
tions were made explained that wives
could leave their husbands and claim
maintenance; but, he added the act
afforded no remedy for women living with
/ their husbands. Among the applicants
was q married man seeking relief from
dissipated wife. The magistrate explained
that the act was not passed for the purpose
of relieving husbands.
There was the usual crowd of people at
Wednesdays Covent Garden ball and two
girls, dressed as COLUMBIA and Britannia,
hearing the respective flags of the United
States and Great Britain, attracted much
attention. The Americans dress was
adorned with a fac smile of the Prince of
Wales cable message to Joseph Pulitzer,
proprietor of the New York World, ex-
pressing the hope for peace and the En-
Rlish girls dress was adorned with an ex-
tract of President Cleveland's message to
congress.
Great Britain's only comfort lately has
been the treasury report which estimates
that the surplus at the end of the financial |
year, in March, will exceed f5. 900. 900 |
(S25Oo0,0ec). Claims for a reduction of /
taxes have been pouring in from all quar-
tiers. But 1t is learned upon very good /
authority that the first purpose to which |
the overlooking revenue will be devoted
will be great increase of strength in the
British navy As one ReWsparsr puts it; I
$50 ~ Bss