, 1896-02-26

The news of the week from America has
been more favourable to peace. and it seems
to be understood that the Cover meut OF
Washington will induce the Government OF
Venezuela to open negotiations with Great
Britain direct, on he basis If an arbitration
which shall cover ali districts in dispute not
actually occupied Ivy British or Venezuelan
settlers. 1t was expected that the Scuate
would pass a resolution declaring any ceSsion
of territory to aEuropeanPouer by any State
in America an offence to tn, United States,
but both the President and MIR. Olney OPP
posed this, the proposer found that the
resolution would disturb business, and the
project was DELAYED. Mr.. Walcot, a ~enqtor.
has made a vigorous speech in defence of
Great Britain; every body Of weight seems
to think it possible to push the Monroe doc
trIne too far, though. of course, it is as "sa-
cred' as the doctrine blessed are the meek
and there is altogether evidence If a cooler
tone. The determined rcSistanco'offored to the
German Emperor has contributed to this, the
Americans perceiviug at once he difference
between the British reception Of the En-
peror's menace and of their own. Even the
Venezuelau8 appear to be growing doubtful
whether there will be war. and are relieving
LDGlt ltGililGS Nv i'l AililS lLiN o'tIloDNlI III
efigv. That is not very digniied or very
Spanish, but il it amlses the NenezuelanS,
there does not appear 10 be any objection.
The Ashan,er Expedition is returning
The King and his principal officers met
Governor Ma well in The Great square Of
Coo1nossie on the 20th inst. and made an ID
iect submission. the king groyeling With
his head in the dust In The true savage fash
ion. They were all, however, astounded when
told that they were prisoners, and would be
conveyed to Cape Coast Castle TO he retained
until he indemnity of fifty thousand ounces
of gold was paid over They made no resist
ance. however, and the coGntry will he ruled
by the Resident. projected Iy Il native guard,
until Mr.. Chamberlain las decided on the
permanent scheme of administration to be
adopted. The idea originally entertained Of
intrusting the Country to the Chartered Com
pany is now diScredited. and it is probable
hat the far simpler plan of a military Gov
ernor with one or two advisers to control
taxation and the police, will be adopted. The
natives will pay a land-tax, and it is bclicv-
ed that with the venting OF Mining rights, aud
the sale of rightg to cut timber, sufficient re-
venue will be forthcoming to pay for a good
police. There should also he a light-railroad
to Coomassie, and to some station where
there is q chance that ruling men and traders
may escape the malaria.
The satisfaction of the country at the sue
cess of the bloodless Ashantee Campaign has
been clouded by the death of Prince Henry
of Battenberg, the husband of our own Prin-
cess Beatrice. The Prince, who though I'M
known to the public, was a great favourite
with the Royal family, and had the making
of a soldier in him, wearied of his life of in
action, and joined the expedition to Ashantee
as a volunteer. He had better have gone to
Chitral. Though in brilliant health, the ma
larial fever Of the African Coast struck him
within thirty miles of Coomassie as it often
strikes the strong, burning the vital power