Weekly News. — 1891-11-12 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

STARVING RUSSIAN PEASANTS FLOGGED.  Congratulatory addresses offered to the Czar and Czarina upon the occasion of their silver wedding have in several cases been accompanied by sums of money in aid of the famished peasants. The lmpenal return to St. Petersburg is expected on the 18th of November, when a number of important measures will come before the Council of the Empire. It is expected that a portion or the whole of the land tax u ill have to be remitted over a third of European Russia. An agitation is going on in the Press in favour of the reform of the system of taxa. Lion. Owing to the total failure cf the crops in the steppes, a vast number of horses have been obliged to be killed. Their carcases are abandoned, except when Tartars buy the flesh. Around Verouesh alone 5,000 carcases were ti be seen. The Governor of Simbirsk is suppressing the corn riot among the starving peasautty with a heavy hand. The St. Petersburg correspondent of •he Daily News says he has had three rioters whipped to death. The Starodub rioters received 4.10 lashes. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Times learns in the best-informed quarters that very heavy export tax will be imposed in two or three weeks upon wheat destined for abroad. Of course the establishment of such an expoot tax will have the same ffect as an actual prohibi.ion. The Getman public have been unpleasant, suprised by the attitude assumed by the Russian Press towards the proposed contribution from Germany for the relief of the distress in Russia. The Ippeal which was issued in Germany on behalf at the starving population of the Northern Empire was signed by Professors von Beigmann and Elabnaack and Pastors Dalton and Keller, all wellzitown public men, who were either born in Russia n- who had lived there for many years, and it contained nothing which could in any way wound the aotour proyre of the Russians. The fact, :11k ref Ore, that the proffered assistance has JCIII refused in terms that are little less ;ban insulting has had a very unfavourable effect on public opinion in Berlin (says the Times (.orrespondent), and it is an extremely bad iign of the bitter relations at present existing between the two countries. It is almost certain that the intended subscription will be given up by ita .trenoters, as it has now very little chance of being -.wooded t,  A despatcL Buenos Ayres reports that a terrible cyclone has devastated the districts of Piedra Trillo and Frigales. The loss of life is said to be very serious, and the destruction of property immense. An inqu.st has been held at SalAly (Beds.), on the body of a schoolb )3,, aged 11 years, who committed suicide by drowning. He attended the National Schools, but, having lately played truant, his father sent a note to the schoolmaster on the subject. The boy afterwards told another boy that he was afraid either to go home or to school, and would drown himself.—The father said he believed that too much work at school unhinged the boy's nind.—The, jury found that tke latskatunitted iuicide while of unsound mind.  A sensational story is current to the effect that a relative of Abd-el-Ka.der has left Morocco and has proceeded to Algeria, for the purpose of exciting the native population against France. One or two agitations already are attributed to his instigat ion, and report has it that he is not only aided and abetted by the Germws resident in the colony, but is acting in accol dance with directions received from their Government. Tha rumour, such as it is, has ' (says the Telegraph correspondent) attracted notice in Paris, and energetic measiees in Africa are recommended by some politicians.  I