, 1908-04-15

fer with his colleagues before making any
Ministerialist announcements, perhaps on
Monday. but more probably Thursday next.
1t is again rumoured that Mr.. Churchill will
succeed Mr.. Lloyd George as President of
the Board of Trade, the latter being ap.
pointed Chancellor of the Excheqner.
Ten lives have been lost by an explosion
in the Norton Hill Colliery, Somersetshire,
Several men who went to their rescue were
almost suffocated and were saved with the
utmost difficulty in a precarious condition.
The Hong Kong Climber of commerce has
memorialized the Chambers of Manchester,
Liverpool, Shanghai, Tientsin and others, urg-
ing a protest against the plan of the Japan
csc Cotton Spinn+rs' Association to insert
lottery tickets in their yarn as an induce
ment to purchase it. They protest this is de-
moralizing trade by an appeal to the ganb-
ling instincts of the Chinese. Chinese money
changers refuse Jap tnese Bank rates even at
a discount, and tradesmen are depositing for
feits in case they break the boycott and
have abandoned SUMS for the benefit Of the
Se.f Government Society.
A despatch from Pekin states that the
numerous cases Of incend Iarism are becoming
alarming and are attributed to revOlutionaries,
damage to the extent of 5 millions taels
having been caused within three weeks.
The Gazette publishes the names Of many
Chinese and Of fifty seven japanese who are
to be arrested at sight.
Newspapers criticise the suppression of
Secretary Roots statement regarding the
attitude of the United States in Manchuria,
China's policy is attributed to her belief in
Russia's weakness, and the American oppo-
sition measures taken in the best interests Of
commerce and civilization are not under
stood. 1t is anticipated that Mr.. Fisher,
the United States Consul at Hardin, will re-
ceive n reprilnand when the United States
government understands the situation.
1t is stated that Russia and Japan have
exchanged reciprocal assurances to support
action taken in their respective spheres in
North and South M~anchuria.
Washington, April 18th. England has
invited the Maritime powers to participate
IN a Conference to be held in London in the
Autumn, regarding the principles Of Mari
time Law to be applied by the Prize Courts
established under the Hague Conference,
and an effort VIII be made to harmonize the
ADglo-American Maritime Law, with the con-
tinental Laws especially regarding blockade
Contraband, ~etcetera.
SPECIAL.
Lon lon, 'pril 13th.-The following min
isterial changes are announced Prime
Minister and first Lord of the Treasury Mr..
Asquith / Lord President of The Council,
ALOlN AOCCINb"LO " oIO ONiO
MES, the earl Of Crewe Chancellor of the
Exchequer. Mr.. Lloyd George first Lord of
the Admiralty, Mr.. Mckenna President of
the Board of Trade, Mr.. Churchill and
President of the Board of Education Mr..
Runciman.
Mr.. Morley and Mr.. Henry Fowler will be
made peers, and the Earl of Elgin and the
Earl of Portsmouth retire.
The following changes take place outside
the Cabinet Under Secretary FIR the
Colonies, Lieut.. Colonel Seely NJ. P. for the
Abercromby division Of Liverpool; Under Sec
rotary for War, Lord Lucas financial Secre-
tarv to the War Office, Mr.. Acland financial
secretary to the India Office, Mr.. Buchanan.
London, April 13th.-Sir Henry Jackson
is getting on slowly, but progressing.
A Court Martial held at Portsmouth re-
garding the sinking of the torpedo boat des-
troyer Tiger by the cruiser Berwick has
decided that the collision was unavoidable,
and no blame is attached any one living or
dead, adding that the Berwick did her ut
most to prevent the collision and rescue
those on board the Tiger.
Today's newspapers generally approve
the new cabinet. with the Dossibla avoaD-