, 1908-03-14

MhhluS 1 q AAAoOCAAONAOo@ w HIOAAOOO OAo
cord or spread false statements regarding
high officials.
The House of Lords, by a vote of 1853
against 33, refused to give a second reading
to the Governments Scottish small holdings
bill. During the recess Scotch opinion has
not manifested much interestin the measure,
moreover the recent bye elections have been
unfavourable to the Government, hence the
ministerial silence is the basis for q belief
that the Government is not prepared to act
lively resume the campaignag&inst the Lords.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannnerman occasion
ally sees Mr. Asquith, but no others he is
practically isolated, and gives but little at
tention to politics, therefore it would not
be surprising if the Kings return were fol-
lowed by a change in the premiership.
At the court hearing yesterday another
scheme regarding the ownership of the
Times was advanced, which is likely to pro-
tract the litigation for some months.
A Berlin newspaper which Prince Bulow
sometimes inspires, c~riticises the Times for.
misrepresenting the Kaiser's letter the
question at issue, it says, is not the Kalser's
alleged impulsiveness or indiscretion, but
the maintenance of confidence IN cores
pondence. tet
Sir Frank Lascelles, the British Ambassa-
dor to Germany, upon his retirement IN the
Autumn will be succeeded by Sir Gerald
Lowther, the present minister to Morocco.
1t is officially announced that President
Fallieres and NJ. Pichon, French Minister Of
Foreign Affairs, will visit London during
the second week in May,
China is succeeding in separating POrtu-
gals side of the Tatsu Maru case from
Japan's, and has also established that the
seizure occurred in Chinese waters and the
cargo is subject to contiscation. China adj
mits her error i'll o Werlng the Japanese flag
Negotiations are now proceeding upon the
basis OF a compromise in consideration OF
Japan's undertaking to regulate the arms
traffic.
A Rome despatch states that Signor Tit
toni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, answering
q question in the chamber of Deputies re-
garding the situation of the Balkans, said
there was no discord among the members
of the Triple Alliance. Italy's policy was
in accordance with Russia's. Austria's pc.
sition was justified by the treaty of Berlin
as acknowledged by England and Germany,
and as q corollary other powers should be
allowed to d~evelope railways as part OF the
Macedonian reforms.
A Brussels telegram says the Radicals and
Socialists will oppose the Congo Treaty, the
Premier's amendments being unsatisfactory,
for example the native labour tax IS not
abolished.
A despatch from Barcelona reports that a
bomb exploded under the quay where King
Alfonso was to embark, but no damage was
lone His Majesty returned to Madrid
grati6ed at the ovation accorded him at Bar
celona.
st. Petersburg advices state that the Dou-
ma has debated a Government bill for rals-
ing the Legation at Toxic to an Embassy
with a salary of six thousand sterling, which
was passed unanimously with the exception
that the salary be five thousand. This IS
notable as being the first public discussion
of Russia's foreign policy. About a hundred
ministerialists were absent, and some d1plo-
mats were criticized by name. M. lswolsky'
Minister of foreign affairs, defended the
treaty of Portsmouth, which, he SAID,
does not prevent a complete accord
between Russia and Japan. Russia's ALLAN
ces with France and England had the
same objects as the policies Of Germany and
the United States, viz. the maintenance OF
peace in the Pacific Ocean.
Ottawa, March 12th.-The Mayor OF Van
couver has telegraphedto Mr.. Mac Pherson,M NJ.
P. for Vancouver City, asking the Govern
ment to invite the United States fleet to VS.