Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/425

 PART I  CHRONICLE OF EVENTS IN 1899.

JANUARY.

1. The Spanish Captain-General of Cuba formally delivered the control of the island into the hands of General Brooke, and the United States flag hoisted on the public buildings.

— The New Year honours included the elevation of Lord Cromer to the rank of viscount—four new peerages, four baronetcies, and numerous other distinctions.

— In Samoa severe fighting took place between the forces of Malietoa and Mataafa, the rival claimants to the throne, in which the latter were successful. Malietoa, who had been recognised by the Chief Justice, took refuge on a British ship. Mataafa was supported by the Germans.

2. A farewell dinner given to the Earl of Elgin at Calcutta by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, at which the retiring Viceroy reviewed the financial policy of his Governorship.

— Mr. T. T. Bucknill, Q.C., M.P., appointed judge of the High Court in the room of Sir H. Hawkins resigned.

— A gale which raged for three days with little intermission over Western Europe, accompanied by rain, snow and thunder, did enormous damage to property on land and sea, especially in the English Channel, and on the Welsh coast.

3. A duel took place at Buda-Pesth between Baron Banffy, the Hungarian Premier, and Herr Horansky, the leader of the Opposition. Four shots were exchanged at twenty paces, but without result.

— Thirty Danes expelled from North Schleswig by order of the German Government, in consequence of their employers having attended a meeting addressed by the Danish deputy to the Reichsrath, Herr Hanssen.

— The German Imperial Cabinet issued an order substituting German words in lieu of corresponding foreign terms hitherto in use in the Army, which had existed since the time of Frederick the Great, when the Prussian troops were largely officered by foreigners, and the word of command given in French.