, 1913-12-24

Mr.. Joynson Hicks, Unionist member for
Brentford, asserts that the House Of Lords
cun defeat the Home Rule Bill by posIpon-
ing it from mouth to month, bat not reject
ing it, thus disenabling the House of Com
mons from passing it after it's third rejec-
ton by the House of Lords.
The Liverpool Journal OF Commerce pre-.
diets an Atlantic rate war, more disastrous.
than those OF 1904 and 1907, as the result
of q disagreement between the Hamburg
American and the North German L oyd
Companies The North Atlantic agreement
rate will expire on January Dist next year.
The citizens of Leeds ure cooperating for
the defeat of the civic strikers, householders
lighting the lamps, sweeping the stress,
saving gas and burning garbage, while The
students in the technical departments Of the
University are acting as engineers on the
railways. The gas service and the tlamclr
power are only partially maintained. The
strikers are violent and are causing much mis-
chief. The Trades Unto council are promot-
ing Cancellation, but the corporation prefers
to defeat the strikers and is dis%charging ak
those persisting.
Dispatches from Berlin state that, as d
sequel to the Zlbern incident, Lieutenant
Baron Won Forstner has been sentenced to,
forty-three days Imprisonment.
A despatch from Seattle states that the
captain of the "PoIar Bear" Just arrived
from the Arctic, says it IS impossible to be-
lieve hat the ''Knrluk" Of the Canadlan
Scientific Expedition will ever be head FIONA
again. The "Navard" was, he declares, the
only ship that ever returned and she hal
not been caught in the outside flow like the
"Karluk''.
Adyices from Teneriffe state that EXPIRE
sident Castro's friends say his health is per
feet aud that he will shortly issue a pro-
clamation to the Venezuelan people.
Ottawa, Dec. 2Oth-Mr. Borden, the Pre-
mier, has received a delegation of Western
Agriculturiets and promised the careful con-
sideration of their representations for in
creasing the British preference up to free
trade, within five years, and the iumeliate
relaxation OF trade relations With the United
States.
New York, Dec. 20th-A despatch from
Caracas states that DR.. Andura has resigned
the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
AdviceS from Buenos Aires state that the
Minister Of Public Works is consulting
with HE Cabinet regarding II charge that
the Farqnhar Anglo American Railway Syn
dictate is vioIative of the Antitrust Law.
Dispatches from Mexico CITY state that a
run has begun upon the London and Mexico
Bank, the largest banking institution in Mex
leo. Many Mexican banks are much below
the legal standard.
London, Dec. 22nd-A fierce fire is rag
ing in the Portsmouth dockyard. Starting
i'll q sailloft adjoining the South Railway
letty, it spread to the Semnphore Tower
used for signalling with wnrships, and to
the al lucent buildings. Earning brands
fell upon the battle cruiser ~Queen Mary,
but she was towed ont of danger. Every
warship in the harbour landed fire parties
and every fire fighting appliance was used
by the entire civic and military forces.
Qualities OF oil are sending fumes a hun
dred feet high, illuminating the entire har-
bour. 1t is considered the greatest fire
known in the history of the British Navy
ports, the estimated damage being one mil
lion pounds, but the amount is as vet uu-e
confirmed. The SemApbore Tower contain
ed many historical naval documents, dating
to Nelson's time, which have been totally
consumed. No explanation as to the origin
OF the fire IS yet forthcoming.
The King has received the Delegates to
the international Conference on the safety
OF life at sea, representing twelve nations,
at Buckingham Palace The Qleen, the
Prince of Wales aud Princess Mary were
also, nAno, -