The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-19
England Sends 10 Batteries Of
Horse and Field Artillery.
A CONSPIRACY FEARED
BRITISH GOVERNMENT SCEPTIC-
AL OF AMEERS FIDELITY.
RUsslA-AFGHANIsTAN INTRIGUE HINTeD.

Distress in Ireland variousIy Commented Upon
Spain Warned to Make Peace With
Cuba Before Congress Meets--To
Protect lnsectiverous Birds.
copyrighted 1897 by Associated Press)
London, Sept. 1S.-The fact that no
less than ten batteries Of horse and field
artillery have been ordered to embark
for India during the months of Septem-
Der and October, is much commented up
on in military circles. Under ordinary
circumstances the four batteries have
been ordered to remain in India, and
therefore, there will shortly be on the
frontier fourteen batteries of artillery,
full complement for an army corps. AS
the British force now assembled on the
frontier is Of ample strength to wipe
out all visible resistance, the only con-
clusion that can be reached in relation
to the despatch of reinfOrcements of ar
tillery ds that the authorities are pos
sessed Of information of a serious char
acter. The intimation conveyed by the
war office on Monday last, to the London
commercial agent Of the Ameer of AT
ghanistan, that no war material or ma
chinery for the manufacture thereof,
will be allowed to cross the frontier dur
ing the present crisis indicates that the
British government has by no means
entire confidence in the Ameer's fidelity.
and it is hinted the government has learn
ed that while processing friendliness
to Great Britain the Ameer has been
secretly preparing for war. Wen In
formed circles are also discussing the
story of secret correspondence between
Russia and Afghanistan, which Is said
to have fallen into the hands Of the Bri-
tish officials and it is further intimated
that a widespread plot, embracing the
Beluchis, and others, has been discov-
cred.
The truth, or otherwise, of these sto-
ries will develop hereafter: but, the fact
remains that the large increase in the
strength of the British artillery in India
cannot be intended for use against the
Afridis.
The extent of the distress threatening
Ireland seems to depend largely as to
through which party's eyes it is viewed.
The council of the national federation
has decided that the country is on the
brink of widespread calamity, and calls
upon Messrs. Dillon and Harrin gton to
conyoke a meeting of the Irish members
of Parliament for the purpose of requi-
sitioning Mr.. BalfoHr, the government
leader in the commons, to call an autumn
session of Parliament, to devise relief
measures and to pass bill reducing
rents in Ireland in proportion to the loss
incurred by the tenants owing to the
wholesale destruction of their crops. On
the other hand the Dublin Express says
the cry of famine is only a continuation
o1, &
cry year the Unionists are in office and
adds: Judging from the past we may
hope that much of the crops doomed to
destruction by the prophets OF evil, will!
be rescued and that the general yield will
be much larger than expected"
The Daily Independent regards the
suggestion that the Duchess of York
viii shortly appeal for funds in behalf
Of the Irish, who are threatened with
famine as being an insult, and says:
.If the country was ten times as badly
off as it is likely to be it would resent
any charitable appeal to the English"
Figures furnished in the report OF the
inspector in inebriates' retreats, show
that the effect OF the legislative inter-
vention to reform drunkards is still ex-
perimental and wholly inadequate.
The report says: ''Immoderate drink
ing, though frightfully common among
the industrial classes, is still more pre-
vaIent among the upper ten. 1t is also
certain that among women OF all classes,
drunkenness is increasing rapidly"
Lord Rosebury, the former Liberal
Premier, is preparing to re-enter pubic
life
The Ligue Ornithophile Franchise, is
organizing an international congress for
&J,o ,1,ncnryo ton re ipco6tivnr0uc birds
The congress will open its session in AK,
on November 8. 1t is proposed to de-
monstrate that international agriculture
would be wise to secure the absolute
prohibition by law Of the destruction Of
these birds, and that severe penalties
should be imposed upon those who kill
or capture birds alighting in the course
of their migrations.
The Speaker says it regards the cap
ture Of Victoria De Las Tunas, by the
Cuban insurgents rs being salutary
lesson, taking the ground that it gives
Spain a shock (which it is hoped will
check her in her drift towards bank
ruptcy and civil war;"
While not expressing sympathy with
the motives, the Speaker adds: "The
United States can find excellent reasons
to intervene whenever she likes"
The Speaker advises Spain to recall
Captain General Weyler and to arrange
terms with the Cubans, through the in
termedary Of the United States, ex-
pressing the opinion that otherwise,
Spain may have greater dangers to face
after the United States Congress meets.
Madrid, Sept 1S.-A company of in
fantry has been sent to Morella, pro-
vince of Castellon De La Plana, as it