Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-26
THE TALK OF LONDON.
Detection Among Government Supporters
on the Land-9ax Bill.
ANOTHER IRISH FACTION NOW.
This Makes Mach Smoother Sailing
tho work of the British Ministry
with Reference 90 Erin-sonth
Afrfca-Egypt.
Especial cabl$letter.,


the ranks OF it's followers arises from the
agricultural rates bill introduced a Few
days ago In the House OF Commons wnieh
measure provides for q radical change IN
the taxation on land. Besides numDer
OF Liberal Unionists, who have announced
that they will not support the DILL seVe-
raj Conservative members who represent
urban constituencies are likely to vote
with the opposition. The Ministerlahs's
saw that the secessions will not exceeo
a dozen. but the Liberals expect that on
this bill the normal government majority.
VIII reduced by fully fifty votes. The
Irish Nationalist will vote solidly against
the measure.
All this. however will not prevent the
government from securing "a majority
when the bill comes up on its second
reading Monday, but the opposition TO the
proposals will compel the government 10
accept amendments when the bill reaches
the committee. This will prove dsap-
pointing 10 the Tories. who hoped to have
the bill pushed through In the form in
which II was originally introduced.
Sir Henry Hartley Fowler UioeraD
some time president OF the local Govern
ment Board, and also Secretary for India,
Will lead the opposition by offering an
amendment which will be tantamount to
rejection OF the bill.
MIR. Whitley Conservative gives notice
of an amendment that he Will oper 10
the land bill. Mr.. Whitely's amendment
will declare that II is desirable, before
giving permanent relief 10 one class OF
property, 10 refer the whole question Of
rating to n royal commission.
The Right Hon. Henry Chaplin, presi-
dent of the local Government Board, who
introduced the measure, Will try TO coun-
ter act this amendment by the trans
pnrently insincere promise that the ques-
ton Of urban rating might be considered
in the future.
Advices from Cape Colony are to the
effect that IL is the intention of Mr. Hof-
meyer. the Afrikander leader, to make
motion in the Legislature OF Cape
Colony approving an offensive and de-
fenslve alliance between the orange Free
State and the Transvaal. He will fur
Their demand the withdrawal OF the char
ter OF the British South Africa Company.
The prospects OF the British regime in
South Africa are not of the brightest.
~ VENEZUELA.
Though Mr.. George n. Curzon. parlla-
montary secretary Of the Foreign Office,
declared in the House Of Commons on
Thursday that the negotiations concern
ing Venezuela were still proceeding. it
Is fact that a delay occurred The
cable dispatches to the Times. alleging
that they had been stopped altogether,
went too far. The Foreign Office denies
that IL proposed cessation of the nego-
tiations, and attributes the delay TO un-
avoidable causes, among which Is Lord
Salisbury's weakening health, combined
with a great pressure of work.
The secession of the Healyites from
m A NJ Do hua MOI hannfFaa
finite. The party whips have informed
Mr.. Healy and his friends that they can
no longer attend the meetings Of the
followers of Mr.. Dillon, and that they
are at liberty to take Independent action
in every way. There will now be three
Irish factions, each of which will move
separate amendments to all Irish ques-
tons. There will be no reliable co-opera-
ton among themselves or with their Ii
beral allies. The discord will assist the
government In placing the Irish land
bill among the last of the important mea-
sures OF the session, the result Of which
VIII be the postponement of consideration
OF the bill until 1897.
Another important matter has sud-
denly come TO the front The proposal TO
abolish the Irish vice-royalty in Ireland
finds the Irish at loggerheads on the
question. The movement is approved by
a number of the English members Of the
House OF Commons.
SOUTH AFRICA
Sir Graham John Bower the Imperial
Secretary at Cape Town. will sail to-
day on his return to South Africa. He
takes with him peaceful assurance from
Mr.. Chamberlain TO the local govern
ment. The agitation for the dismissal
OF Sir Hercules Robinson. the Governor
of Cape Colony. and British High Com
missioner to South Africa, has not the
support of Mr.. Chamberlain.
Sir Graham IL instructed to announce
that the Imperial Government intends
10 increase the defensive force and add
10 the garrison at Cape Town. Major
General Sir Frederick Darlington. who
was recently appointed TO the command
OF the campaign against the Matabeles,
accompanied Sir Graham Bower on the
voyage TO the Cape
II IL understood that the pleas Of guilty
entered Thursday by the leaders OF the
johannesburg Reform Committee, who
were indicted at Pretoria for high trea-
son and lese majestic resulted from
a secret arrangement by which light
sentences will be imposed upon them.
President Kruger obtains a double ad-
vantage from the admission that has
been made by Colonel Rhodes. one Of
the prisoners. who duplicates his brother,
Cecil Rhodes, In the conspiracy. and by
HiS Opportune display or clemency. IL
Is reported here that the Beers are GER
tain TO reap money advantage through
the plea Of the prisoners.
soUDAN EXPEDITION.
Lord Cromer. the British diplomatic
agent In Egypt. has been summoned TO
London In order TO confer with Lord
Salisbury. the Secretary OF War, the COM
rnander-in-chief Of the British army. and
General Sir Redvers Butler, who viii
command the operations in the Soudan.
Until the conferences determine the ex-
net proportions OF the military operations
In the autumn. neither the Foreign Office
nor the War Office VIII take any further
measures for an advance in the Soudan.
The crisis In France gives the British
Foreign once pause in the struggle
with French and Russian diplomacy. The
expedition remains stationary at Akasheh
The plant for the construction OF
railway from Abu-Fameh. Il2 miles south
ward 20 AKasheh, forty miles from Don
COLA. will be sent out from London
There Is certain TO be some fighting be-
fore the line is laid. The dervishes at
Abu-Fameh have been reinforced. and
are now estimated 10 number 800. or
these, only $500 are armed with rifles
They are commanded nv the chlaf ev,t~