Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/426

2 4. The question of the French shore rights in Newfoundland warmly discussed in the Paris press, but in no hostile or unfriendly spirit.

— The Hungarian Ministry, having failed to obtain a hearing for the discussion of their administrative measures, advised the Emperor-King to levy the taxes by royal rescript.

— A collision took place off the North Cornish coast between the French steamer Du Guesclin, 973 tons, and the Glasgow steamer Ross-shire, 1,262 tons. Both vessels had to be abandoned, and eleven of the French crew were drowned.

5. The Federal Council of the German Empire decided not to interfere at once in the Lippe-Detmold question, though declaring its competence to do so when necessary. The Court of Arbitration, presided over by the King of Saxony, had awarded the regency and ultimate succession to the Lippe-Biesterfeld family, to the exclusion of Prince Adolph of Lippe-Schaumburg, the German Emperor's brother-in-law.

— Lord Cromer and Lord Kitchener held a reception at Omdurman, which was attended by a large number of Soudanese sheikhs and notables. Lord Cromer declared that the country would not be ruled from either Cairo or London, but by the Sirdar, and under him a few English officers, who would see that justice was administered on Moslem principles. Lord Cromer subsequently laid the foundationstone of the Gordon Memorial College.

6. A huge boiler, which was being tested at Messrs. Hewett's works, at Barking, suddenly exploded, wrecking the surrounding buildings, and killing nine workmen, and seriously injuring about twenty others.

— Lord Curzon of Kedleston formally assumed the office and state of Governor-General at Calcutta, and Lord Elgin left Government House.

— A parliamentary paper dealing with British grievances in Madagascar, and the diplomatic correspondence relating thereto, issued by the Foreign Office.

— The American minister at Pekin formally protested against the proposed extension of the French quarter at Shanghai, but urged an international agreement for the enlargement of existing settlements. The Chinese Government consequently refused to accede to the French demand.

7. M. Quesnay de Beaurepaire resigned his position as president of one of the chambers of the Court of Cassation, and almost at once published a statement impugning the impartiality of the Court charged with investigating the Dreyfus case.

— Two Germans, attempting to cross in snow-shoes the Süsten Pass from Guttanen to Wasen, buried by an avalanche on the Uri side.

— Caskieben House, Aberdeenshire, the residence of Mr. Pirie, M.P., and Stanground Manor House, Peterborough, with their contents destroyed by fire.