FOREIGN

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 49.

—Gen. Porforio Diaz has been elected president of Mexico for the sixth term, having served since 1876.

—Poor Egypt has to pay the expense of the recent Anglo-Egyptian expedition to Dongola, which was really for the advancement of British influence in Africa.

—The Italian Chamber of Deputies, at the request of Premier di Rudini, have passed a vote of confidence in the government's colonial policy. The vote was favorable, being 184 to 26.

—The Canadians who immigrated to Brazil last summer are imploring their home government for relief, and for assistance to return home. They are suffering for food and clothing, and can not get employment except on terms a little short of slavery.

—The commander of a German cruiser at Manila, Philippine Islands, telegraphs to his government that the Spanish situation is critical. The action of the Spanish troops is confined to the defense of Cavite and Manila, which are under constant menace by the rebellious natives.

—The Cuban Junta in New York announce definite information regarding the reported capture by the insurgents, after a siege of twelve days, of the town of Guaymaro, in the district of Camaguey. The place was garrisoned by 295 soldiers. All the officers were paroled, but the men were set to work on Cuban plantations. The patriots captured $21,000 in money, 500 machetes, 200 Manser rifles, 1,250 rounds of ammunition, 6 mule loads of medicines, and a large quantity of clothing and other much-needed stores.

—It is stated in trade circles that Austria and Australia each require 100,000 tons of American wheat, owing to crop deficiencies at home.

—A fire in the mercantile district of Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ont., on the 3d inst., damaged merchandise and buildings to the extent of $400,000.

—The Cuban Junta at New York have received news confirming the rumor that General Sanchez, inspector-general of the insurgent forces, was killed in battle November 20.

—The Uruguayan troops are said to be suffering defeat at the hands of insurgents. Correspondents report the defeat of a large cavalry force, and the death of the leader, Major Rodrigues. Another defeat was accompanied by the death of the government commander, Colonel Alcoba.

—A Brussels despatch says that the count of Flanders, brother of King Leopold, and his son, were recently the objects of a hostile demonstration at Dolnain, on the German frontier, where they were shooting. The peasants objected to Prussian beaters accompanying the royal party.

—The Italian consul at Zanzibar reports that the captain and six other officers of the Italian warships Volturno and Staffet have been killed by the Somalis at Magadoxo, and 100 men wounded. Magadoxo is a town of 4,000 inhabitants on the Somali coast, within the Italian protectorate.

—A despatch from Bitlis, Turkey, dated the 1st inst., says: "Bitlis appeals on behalf of 2,000 orphans and 500 widows, many of them from distant homes, where husbands, fathers, and brothers were killed before their eyes amid dreadful atrocities. They wander in the streets, begging for food and clothing."

—Advices by way of Kingston, Jamaica, state that a disastrous cyclone passed over the Windward and Leeward Islands last week, being especially severe on the islands of St. Vincent and Montserrat. Extensive floods were caused by the storm, and many plantations were ruined. Many persons who lived near the watercourses were drowned, seventy-five deaths being reported on Montserrat alone.

—Late advices from Cuba state that the Spanish troops at San Jose de las Lajas, twenty miles from Havana, have gone over to the insurgents. Many of the citizens accompanied the troops, carrying ammunition. Great excitement was caused at Havana, and fresh troops were sent to occupy the garrison. Before they arrived, anarchy reigned, and on arrival, the soldiers shot down many of the people in the streets.

—The Turkish special tribunal, at Constantinople, has sentenced the Armenian bishop in Hassekein to death. The bishop was condemned to death because during the recent riots in Constantinople a loaded revolver was found in his house. The bishop was absent from home at the time, and upon this ground an appeal was taken against the judgment of the special tribunal. France, however, has interfered, and prevented the carrying out of the tribunal's judgment.