The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-02-18
BRIEF NEWS.

Frank May, formerly Cashier of the Bank of
England, died in London last week.
The plague is reported to be increasing at
Bombay, Karschi aud Poona.
Michael Munkacsy, the famous painter, is
| said to be hopelessly insane.
The New York World last week published q
dispatch from Stockholm, Sweden, in which in
an interview King Oscar H., while expressing
desire not to discuss lpolitics, reiterates his
willingness to act as arbitrator in the English
American tribunal.
famine is said to exist in the Provinces of
Cherson, Bezsarabok, Pskov, Orel. Astrak han
and other sections of southern Russia.
The Royal Niger Company's expedition sent
against the Emr of Nupe and commanded by
Sir George Goldie has captured Rda The
Niger Company forces were attacked by 10000
Africans Jan. &C. The charges were repulsed
by hollow square. protected by Maxim guns
The capture of Bda. which is the capital OF the
Fnlah ruler, will likely add the territory to
Great Britain's African possessions. The dis
pute between the Emr of Nupe and the Niger
Company is one of long standing. and, among
other things, grew out of the Emirs practice of
executing slaves by the wholesale, after raiding
territory belonging to the company in order to
obtain victims. Sir George Goldie, founder aud
Deputy Governor of the Royal Niger Company,
has repeatedly warned the Emir during the
past years, and in 1892, accompanied by Lord
Scarborough. he visited Bida and warned the
Fulah ruler that if the massacres Of slaves were
not stopped the Emir and his followers would
have to reckon with the Niger Company.
Gen. Weyler is reported to be advancing east
ward through the Province of Santa Clara. The
Spanish columns are destroying everything
along the route.
The English steel trade has again received a
shock through the announcement that an Amer
lean firm has, in open competition, secured a
contract to deliver 1900 tons Of steel rails to
the japanese Government. The American
firms underbid the lowest English six pence
pei ton. and is already shipping the rails to the
great alarm of the British steel-makers.
Information has been received from Venez-
uela to the effect that the arbitration treaty
signed at Washington by Sir Julian Paunce-
fote and Senior Andrade has safely reached
Caracas. and will be laid before the Vcnezue-
Ian Congress as soon as it convenes. The rati-
fication of the treaty is practically assured.
Col. Federico Perez Carlo. late Dispatch
Chief of Maceo, now at Jacksonville, Fla,
Monday received letter from Gen. Lucas
Rivera, commanding the insurgents forces in
will not como out of their intrenched camps to
fight and the insurgents have full control of
the open country. His army consists of over
5000 mon, all we'll armed, aud the health of the
troops is generally good. Several important
engagements have taken place, and in every
one the Cubans have been victorious. While
the men regretted the death of Maceo, yet
they were full of patriotic fire. and the fight
was being continued on the plans outlined by
that great General.
Joseph A. Iasigi, the Turkish Consul General
at Boston, was arrested in New York City
Saturday night, charged with embezzlement
The prisoner was taken before the Police
Magistrate who refused to exempt him from
arrest and imprisonment on the ground that
he was foreign Consul. Monday the case was
called, and Iasigi was parolcd in the custody
of the attorneys. Mustapha Bey. the Turkish
Minister at Washington, has lodged with tie
State Department protest. and the Depart
ment is now engaged in looking up presidents.