Birmingham state herald., 1897-07-30
AND MAINTAIN HER RIGHTS
Sensational Trial nf the Murderer, Butler, at
 Sidnel Slew South Wales.
DESPERATE STTEMpT AT SUICIDE
Asks the M ssy of God on the Trial Judge Whens ztenced to Death Capt. Gib- bonf --Death Avenged = Another
 sssacre in New Guinea.

San Francisco July 29.-Thia steamer Alameda arrived from Australian ports this afternoon via Samoa and Honolulu. No.hing of importance has occurred at Hawaii since the departure of the pre- vious steamer. On July P Foreign Min lster Cooper made public the Hawaiian side of the recent diplomatic corresponds ence Wlh Japan. The Hawaiian govern- m mt in this crisis maintains its right to regulate Japanese immigration, and final ly offers 10 leave the SC clement of the difficulties to arbitration. T. F. Lansing has been appoini.ed minister of finance To succeed 5. M. Damon, who is nov in the United States MT. Lansing will proba bly retire upon Mr. Damon's re- turn.
 SENSAT1ONAL MURDER TRIAL.
 The Alamada brings from Sydney pa- pers detailing the trial and convJ ion of Butler the murderer who was captured in san Francisco and returned to Aus tralia and who has since been hanged. The trial last5d four days, and in some respects w1s nsational. On the las. day of the trial Butler a. tempted to cut his 6hroat with a metal tag taken from a plug of tobacco The attempt was dis covered. however, before he had done any 5 5,rious damage. On the same day, while beirg led into court, Butler became un- controllab ble and had a fierce struggle with his guards. He was finally dragged into the coun. room, handcuffed and forced to keep still. When the prosecu- tion finished its lease. Butler was asked if he had anything to say. The murderer was in state of collapse, apparently and the court adjourned un il the after noon to give him time to recover He then in a low tone made a rambling stattmel that he started for the mines with Weller at Weler's solicitation. On the way Well Ter acted queerly, and when he displayed pistol Butler thoughl9 Ghat Weller was going to shoot him. Instead, however, Weller placed the pistol to his own head and when Butler grabbed 1. in an endeav- or to take It away the weapon was dis charged and Weller was shot through the head. Butler said he had used Weller's papers to enable him to ship as a sailor, as he had no papers of his own.
 The case c-sspa4~tlaen- g4s en to the jury. which deliberated for an hour and twsnty minutes before bringing in verdict of guilty. The judge then pronounced !. sensenea and when he concluded with tta words And may God have mercy on your soul" Butler quickly retorted, And may He have mercy on yours, too"
 GIBBONS AVENGED.
 News has been received of H. M. s. Rapid, which has been cruising among the Solomon Islands ard punishing the natives for the murder of Capt Gibbons. six months ago. Six villages were burned and hostages receive d.
 OLD ISLANDER DEAD.
 John Adams a grandson of the bounty mutineer, and one of the oldest of the Pitcairn islanders, disd last month at Norfolk Island. Adams took leading part in the islands affairs.
 ANOTHER MASSACRE.
 Another massacre is reported in the in- terior of New Guinea It is reported that a party of men making their way through the Sewampt track, camped near a village They were all killed, it Is sup posed, by mountain tribes. A party of police were sent to the scene. but have done nothing yet