Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 March 1898 — FOREIGN. [ARTICLE]

FOREIGN.

The three-masted ship Now York, from Hongkong for San Francisco, ran ashore near Half-Moon Bay, a small town about thirty miles south of San Francisco. Not a life was lost. Marquis Ito declares that Japan will sell no warships, that conditions in the orient demand the mikado’s government should, rather than dispose of cruisers, procure new ones. Princess Louise of Saxe-Coburg, whose husband recently fought a duel with an aid-de-camp on her account, has disappeared from Nice. Abduction and elopement are hinted at. Consul General Lee has notified the state department of Washington of the death nt Sagna la Grande, Cuba, of the wife of Senator Thurston of Nebraska on board the yacht Anita. According ton dispatch from Singapore, a rebellion has broken out nt Battambang, Siam, where the people have refused to pay taxes. A Siamese expedition has defeated the rebels, but fighting continues. There has been a recent exchange of communications between the Vatican and Spain in regard to Cuba and the relations with the United States. The jxipe is ready to do all in his power to prevent hostilities, "which might be fatal to the Spanish dynasty.” Spain is reported to have asked the United States Government what construction is to lie placed on the recent purchase of warships abroad by this country. Th® question is regarded in Washington as a bluff, being put in the same class as the one about Gen. Lee. The Austrian emperor is making great efforts to induce the European powers to present to the United States the danger to Europe of their carrying any further their interference in Cuban affairs. Emperor William is warmly seconding the efforts of Emperor Francis Joseph. The American government is aware of this situation. It is officially announced that the marquis of Salisbury, the English premier nnd minister of foreign affairs, was greatly fatigued by the recent cabinet council nnd a return of the weakness from which he has suffered, following the attacks of Influenza, supervened, with the result that his physician advised the premier to, take a complete rest in the south of France. The Paris Aurore affirms that the French fleet is being prepared for mobil-

izatlon, adding that feverish anxiety prevails at all the arsenals and shipyards, which are working until 10 o’clock at night. The Aurore says the French northern squadron at Cherbourg is ready for immediate departure. It is asserted that in order to complete the necessary number of officers, second year" students are to be appointed midshipmen, and all the admirals have been instructed to arrange , to reach Paris within twenty-four, hours after being summoned. The Aurore explains that the mobilization js connected with preparations to support Russia by a naval demonstration in the far East, Dispatched from western Ontario tell of the overflow of the Grand and Thames rivers, causing serious damage along their valleys. Sections of London, Brantford and Galt were completely submerged to a depth of from five to seven feet. In London 1,500 people were driven from their homes. Bridges and buildings were swept away by the rushing torrent. In Brantford firemen and citizens fought the raging waters all day, but were finally driven out, and West Brantford was a regular lake. At Gault a heavy loss was sustained by the business people. The ice jam in the Grand river gave way and the flood following it tore away bridges, trees and wrecked a number of factories and private residences.