New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-29
TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA
DANGER OF THE FEDERAL UNION BE-
ING DISRUPTED

QUEENSLAND THREATENS sECEssIoN-THF
LAND WAR IN IRELAND-oIL FUEL
Especial The New-York Tribune by French Cable)
Copyright; 1902; By The Tribune Association)
London, Sept. % I a n.-The Australian
Commonwealth is in danger of breaking up
Ominous reports have for some time past been
received from Queensland, and Premier Robert
Philip now openly advocates the secession OF
that State from the Federal Union. Queensland
has been hard hit by federal legislation on the
colored labor question. which will practically
annihilate the sugar industry, in which hundreds
Of thousands of pounds of British capital has
been invested. At the next federal elections
Mr.. Philip does not believe 20 per cent OF the
people will vote for the continued inclusion OF
Queensland in the commonwealth Many per
sons in the other Australian States have changed
their minds this matter since the referendum
was taken, but the constitution cannot be I'M
made with the ease that the Premier of Queens
land irnagines. The Commonwealth Constitu-
ton act does not make provision for secession,
and apparently there means of obtaining
separation short of an act of repeal civil
Mr.. Philip seems to anticipate that he will
receive the support of the people of New South
Wales End West Australia, who are also dis
satisfied with present conditions, but the ex
trene measure is not likely to be taken. Still,
this unrest is having a very preJudicial effect
on business in the commonwealth and nearly
every Australian government loan has suffered
in value during the last fortnight.
Ireland is distracted by It's land war The
Duke of Abercorn, Lord Barrymore and Colo
mel Saunderson three wealthy Irish land own
ers, have refused to discuss the situation with
their tenants representatives. but moderate
Unionist opinion is in favor of some kind of
conference The present position is perhaps the
most curious that has been known in Ireland
for many years. The Chief Secretary sympa-
thizes in a great measure with the tenants, but
his hand is forced by the landlords. and he is
applying the Crimes act with astonishing vigor.
Lord Dudley. the viceroy. afford to
look on with indifference. Mr.. Balfour excluded
him from the Cabinet, and he is consequently
not responsible for the orders which are car
ried out in his name, and the value of Irish
land does not appeal to man who derives his
wealth mainly from collieries his English
estates.
Terrible accounts of the havoc wrought on the
east coast of Sicily by the recent cyclone
coming to hand. About o'clock Friday
morning huge torrent of water burst through
the town of Niodica, flooding all the houses in
the lowIying parts and wrecking many COM
pleteIv The inhabitants aroused by the ter
ribIe roar of the storm, attempted to escape
from their houses, but the main street had be-
come a boiling river, and it was impossible TO
flee or to go to the assistance of the victims.
whose despairing shrieks could be heard above
the bowIine of the wind. Between and d
O'clock some of the authorities, with the cara
b;niars fought their way through for rescue
work and as the waters began to subside all
ioined in searching among Ae ruins of fallen
houses for those who might nave escaped oe-
s+ruo+;or Some villains were found rfing
cornsas and the cara binieri had the greatest
dificu1tv in saving them from being torn 10
pieces by the people.
Daily Express" dispatch states that' OWING
10 tho actions of the American manager OF
the Geneva tramway the strike there mas oeeh
renewed.
The amalgamation of the two TOBACCO trusts
:, +his country is looked upon by wholesale and
retail dealers with feelings of alarm. An I'M
mediate advance in prices is consioeieu 'ei 'ai
IF is understood in Berlin that iiIos' u 'l
novers have agreed in principe 10 the 'ei
nronosaI for holding a congress TOT tie me-
,a.;o,al regulation of wireless telegrapiis
e,reat future is predicted for Oil tue'' me
,,+,as+ secrecv is officially observed as 10 'iie
lite If the oil fuel experiments carrieo OUT
-, ,.asse1s in the British navy. put me- -. =.
annarently some reason 1or oeli .ura
have been Of highly satsid0'oi'