Weekly News. — 1892-10-13 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

CAPTAIN LIIGARD ON UGANDA.  Captain Lugard has added an interestingecontribution to the Uganda controversy. In a letter to the Tunes, lie points out that the interests involved are (a) commercial, (L) political, and (c) philan• thropic. As to the commercial aspect of the question. he says that years of war have impoverished the country itself, but the sister countries of Unyoro, Ankoh, Busoga, and the Equatorial Province are rich in ivory which has accumulated during many years. Other prospective products are coffee, which would probably be of a superior class, being indigenous to the country, with a soil and climate both adapted to its culture; rubber, from the large forests; wheat, and tne more valuable cereals, for the cultivation of which very large areas are available, and the production of which the people have already begun; cotton (of a good staple) and gums, &c., from the Soudan; and all the necessary food for local consumption of the European and native garrisons. As to the political part of the question,he says that Uganda commands the sources of the Nile, and its upward course towards Gondokoro. It is an open secret that both Germany and Italy have found that the development of the spheres already allotted to them by mutual agreement with England are fully sufficient to tax their powers to the utmost for some time to come, and it is more than doubtful whether at the present moment either of these Powers would be prepared to take over Uganda. If, therefore, evacuation were carried out some other European Power would step in. Captain Lugard proceeds to point out how closely allko are the Egyptian and Uganda questions, and d'ealing with the philanthrophic side of the matter he refers to the missions and the anti-slavery societies which would be jeopardised by evacuation. "Supposing evacuation were carried out," he continues, "the Protestant political faction would either leave the country,in which case th3y must fight and kill the natives of the country in which they propose to settle, the missionaries thereby being in a very anomalous position, or they would remain behind. In the latter case they would be compelled to unite with the Mohammedans (coalition with the Catholics being now out of the question). and these two factions, being both bitterly hostile to the Catholics, would immediately prepare to exterminate them. Finally, it is absolutely certain they would quarrel between themselves, and what the ultimate result of the ensuing anarchy and chaos would be it is hard to determine. Whichever of the factions were defeated would fly from the country, carrying war and destruction whither they went. The mass of Soudanese refugees 'rescued' by me (some 8,200 souls) must similarly be abandoned in spite of their loyalty, or provided with a new country at the expense of the aborigines. It is unnecessary to enlarge on a picture so disastrous, and so fraught with misery and disgrace. As regards the slave trade, captives in war in Africa are sold as slaves. Such a state of war and anarchy as I have indicated would undoubtedly furnish large numbers for the slave markets, more especially if the Mohammedans finally remained in the ascendant. Meanwhile Kabarega of Unyoro would resume possession of the Toru and Ruwenzori districts, and the wretched natives of those countries, who have no guns to oppose his armies, and who, relying on the company's pledges of protection, have come from the countries of their exile (to which return is not now open to them), would be massacred, I think, without doubt, since Kabarega, who pours out human blood like water, is bitterly incensed against them for accepting the company's rule."  An inquest was held on Friday morning, at Oxford, on the boy of Paul J. Bryce, an undergraduate of Christ Church, who was found in his rooms, shot through the heart. Evidence shewed that the deceased had on the previous day failed in Responsions. In a letter written to his father he said he supposed the reason of committing the act was chiefly ti's t his morbid desire for death from childhood had grown too strong for him. The deceased's fatl•er, Mr. J. B. Bryce, of Bystock, Exmouth, said deceased had talked about suicide, and reasoned se to the morality of it, saying they had no evidenr.e on the point.—The jury returned a verdict ti.zaf' deceased died by his own act, but they were unable, on the evidence, to decide whathee he was of unsound mind or not.  "I know, I know, old chappie," said Brown. "She has her faults, and a temper—and all that— but I—l love her, and can't live without her." "I know," calmly replied his friend, "but the question isn't that. Can you live with her That's it, old fellow—can you live with her?" So well and hearty.—Friend (who pays a visit of condolence): "Ph, poor woman, this is a great blow to you—the death of your mother." Afflicted one: "Yes, who could have anticipated it ? And she was so well and hearty. Why, only four days ago she kicked her own son-in-law out of the house and fractured two of his ribs."