, 1912-04-06
ST. CROIX STATION,

city proceedings are private, Indications point
to a successful outcome Of the negotiations.
It is understood that two sessions suficed
to arrange for a tentative exchange of COM
melcial proposals tomorrow. The islands
commodities to be included are not yet def
nitely mentioned, doubtless chiefly sugar and
-four. The Delegates leave Friday to spend
Easter at Quebec. -
Washington, April ~3rd-Senator Root, at
the request of The New York Produce Ex-
change, has introduced the Exchanges pro-
posals of retaliation for discrimination against
American four, and Senator Curtis introduced
an amendment to the Sugar Bill authorizing
the President to penalize such discrimination
by increasing customs duties within q range
of from 5 TO 20 per cent advaiorem. MIR.
Curtis argues, it is better to purchase pre-,
ference with reduction of duties in the Ca
madam manner than give reductions gratui-
tously as now proposed. The Porto Rican
Delegates protested against alteration Of tue
sugar duties to their prejudice.
London, April 4th-Mr. Lloyd George
introduced the Budget in the House OF
Commons on Tuesday. The attendance was
the thinnest upon such an occasion for many
years. The realized surplus is the largest
known, and would have been seven millions,
except for a reduction of four hundred thou
sand pounds due to the strike. Mr.. Lloyd
George remarked that this result had been
reached without taxing necessaries or ham
pering trade; unemployment had been the
smallest known, and trade the largest, until
the strike occurred. He would devote the
sarpfu3 to the EXchequer balance, because it
WAS necessary TO provide for contingencies,
for example, strikes, and a possible enlarge
meat OF the naval construction programme,
NJ H.
lsestimated neyt years expenditures would be
larger by five million six hundred and eigh-
tteen thousand pounds on account of the
! INSURANCE act and the acquisition Of the
telephones, but. taxation would not be in
creased. His estimate of international trade
prospects was optimistic.
Mr.. Samuel, the Postmaster General, an
swering q question, said the Government
reciprocates Canada's desire for the better.
ment of cable communications but agreed
with the rejection of Mr.. Lemieux's proposal
for state-owned cables. 1t does not regard the
reductions made since the Imperial Confer
ence as adequate, but it was impracticable
to ask for further now. III Government
would favour British citizens laying a
new cable at the present or lower rates,
but would not subsidize it. 1t does
not favour Il state owned Transatlantic cable.
Mr.. McKenna, the Home Secretary, has re-
mitted Mrs. Pankhurst's unserved sentence,
and she has been admitted to bail for the
preparation of her defense upon the conspi-
racy charge.
HGfls ballotting Of tho miners has finished,
and the result will be announced to-day.
BY incomplete returns, one hundred and sew
enty five thousand favour continuing the
strike, and one hundred aud fifty thousand
favour resuming work. 1t is queried whe-
Their a bare majority is decisive, and it is
suggested that two thirds are necessary 10
continue the strike, as well as to order it.
Conservative leaders are worried at their
followers getting out of hand, this is par
TALLY explained by mems belief that the de-
cision of the District Boards will be more
favourable for those remaining out when
work is resumed, although over thirty thou
sand are already working.
The railway returns are now at their mini
mum, showing the. accommodating results of
the ~stoppage, and indicating the results of
Restraining will be reelected sl0wiy. Tnoses
able to resume through new supplies Of coal
have resolved to delay over the Easter Holt
days.
The King and Queen and Queen Alexan-
dra, have each contributed one thousand
pounds in mid Of the destitute. -
Military preparations are being renewed,
indicating the men cannot hope for more
from the Government.
The concessions the Hungarian Cabinet
have made to the Emperor caused a bitter
debate in the Chamber of Deputies, the EN-
peror and the Heir-presumptive named in
the criticisms. The session was disorderly
throughout. the Deputies defying the dis