The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 7

THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, THURSDAY, JANT7 ART 10, 1907. TERRORIST CAMPAIGN. POLITICAL ALLIES. WHITE STAR LINE. PANAMA CANAL ECONOMIC CONGRESS.

MR HALDANE AND SCIENTIFIC PKOGEESS. iMpUNCTION OP ECONOMISTS. (FROM Lokdqn, Wednesday. Two fundamental thoughts provide the motive power of the agitation reform in the rating system. The one is that tho existing arrangement is unsatisfactory.

The other is that the values created by aggregations of population greatly exceed the cost of the public services incidental to the development of such aggregations, united with the conviction that the created values are drawn upon only to a small extent to meet the cost of these services. And of late there has been linked on-to these causes of dissatisfaction a housing problem. At the conference convened by the Royal Economic Society, which opened to-day, Mr. Trevelyan led off with a spirited plea that some of these troubles connected with local finance should be dealt with, and incidentally noticed how in many- cases large privato landowners had impeded progress. The imperfections of the rating system need no demonstration.

A single tax must bear with undue severity upon some class; it is only when taxes are of several kinds that these several hardships tend to counteract one another. This is a noint to which Dr. Carman might profitably have given some attention had he proceeded to a constructive treatment. He argued that rates are largely payments for services, and that there was no reason for letting the consumers -cf these services off their cost of production. But all rates are 'not expended on services to the ratepayers.

Some are devoted to the relief of poverty, and of the. remainder, though a portion may'be regarded as partial iwffl oi maintenance or tne luuy equipped buildings, many are services not to houses but to persons, the use made of which bv each individual cannot be specifically deter mines j.ne nouse may be an index of the degree in which an individual has profited from municipal activities, or of his abilitv to contribute to the cost of that governmental wors: wnicn snouid' be paid ior on the basis of ability. But.it is not a perfect, index, and even if iti were there would be objections to its guidance being solely relied upon. For the consumption of anything that is taxed is discouraged. If it is houses, people are disposed to economise in house room, which is undesirable.

It is true that when the individuals act equally in this way no taxvs are escaped, since rates rise; but people act in this way nevertheless. Are there othor indices of obligations to pay local taxes? The question was not discussed at the conference. Here the second idea mentioned at the beginning of this article as lying at the root of proposed reforms of rates naturally links on to our argument. Imagine that the local authority by helpine to eauin huildinm in cidentally creates considerable values; imagine that these discoverable, and that difficulties relating to their anticipation in the prices. realised oil.

the transference of property can be got over) then there ia.no reason at all why the municipality should not take unto itself these by-producta of its enterprise. We are referring, of course, to the site values created by localworks-and the mere segregation of people. The assumption of these values by- theKXJm-munity, does not necessarily involve their expenditure in encouraging building. Dr. Cannan's practical wisdom pute ub right again.

How they should be spent is quite another matter. His advice notfto lay out any gains, made on the wasteful subsidising of overbuilding in places already overcrowded most thoughtful reformers 'will cordially endorse. We do not want the big-town to get any bigger, and we must be most oautianslv on our guard against checking the departure of industries rom the large towns which are our heritage, while not relaxing in our efforts to render them as pleasant as they can be made. We may take itothat ifthecommunitydoes discover and find how to work a mine of wealth in urban ground values without doing 6erious hurt, the exemption of buildings from rates does not inevitably follow. But, observe, it must not be taken for granted that the rate on business premises (which can only legitimately represent payment for contributions to production) should be identical with rates on houses we have Mien, have a mixed justification).

At the conference only a fraction of the problem of rate was touched upon. Much of the time.of theC6ngress wat devoted to a consideration. of the effect -of the proposal to tax sites at their vcuue when devoted to their 'most profitable, use, that is as cleared sites. The 'answer given to this question, of course, My no settles whether sites should be taxed 'at ail. Major Darwin, in an involved train of reasoning, essayed to demonstrate that the effect would be increased overcrowding, and Mr.

Trevelyan in supporting such recommendation did not lay emphasis on the comparative permanence and desirability of comparative Earmanence in investment of capital in uildings. He thought that hastening the destruction of buildings on land not put to its most profitable use may, on the one hand, encourage bad building and cheap architecture, and on the other raise the price of premises by increasing builders' risks, gives us pause. TEe suggested rating of unoccupied sites at. their selling value was also discussed in some detail. It would at the same time intensify congestion in the centres and hasten the expansion of towns in the suburbs.

Central overcrowdince mizht be stormed bv adequate provision being made publicly for open spaces: but it is at least worth con sidering whether the advantages of the altera tion advocated would counteract the vaice of having air-spaces automatically provided. Another matter to be weighed is whether the community does not, thinking chiefly of what will happen in the lifetime of its members, incline to ignore posterity too much, and whether, therefore, it is not a good thing for; the next generation to corns into the inheri- i tance of a town dotted with some nnoccupied spaces. Mr. Haldane presided over the Congress, and-In his presidential address said it was not a British but an international gathering. Whatever difference there might be between the rations, there, was a brotherhood the reality of whioh was asserting itself mors and move as year succeeded year 4he brotherhood of seanee.

MI sometimes regret," he said, "or at any rata partially regret, the days when learned men had. a common tongue. Tdom who read the travels of grawmw and ot George Buchanan may be fnv pressed with the hardship- of the scholar who travelled about, often on foot and without nrab money, from plaee to place, bat he got a loug way, and for an excelJent reason, haepefee Latin he carried Ms credentials with hhay and in those days psople were IwspiiabJe to man lesrnfng in a -way they weremrt agenantto or two later- Bat mcbl to-day to be getiinff beak to soma oC (he aood old state pftiftittc its disadvantages. We axa' mgwaao scMooe, lasijseu as Jn oUMf uuttfVi inlmmmUrm I irvumimilnn imnllil EWzfcaaa to au emiiiiwiii Jain more mi fathdaTtnaant whirh'deels wftft 1 SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO THE SEA-LEVEL PROJECT, Laffan's Washington correspondent says: The Senate Committee of the Interoceanio Canal has been informed by the Chief Engineer of the works that it is reported the borings on the site of the proposed Gatun dam have revealed a stratum of clay under which is soft mud. and that there is not sufficient support for the foundations of the dam, which was to have fcaen tne Keystone of the whole Panama Canal system.

It is believed in some quarters, in consequence, that the plan of constructing a lock and dam canal will have to -abandoned' in favour of a sea-level canal." This dam was to have been built across' the Chagres River. It was to be about a mile and a half in length and its width at the top would have been 100 feet. In the valley that it shut off would be enclosed a reservoir about 110 miles square in which the floods of the Chagres River would be stored up. This river is liable to continual floods, the water rising sometimes from 20 to 60 feet in a single day. From the immense size and weight of the dam and the tremendous pressure of water that it would have to support may be gauged the necessity of a firm foundation.

AGAINST CHINESE LABOUR. (From a Correspondent.) Washington, January 9. Senator Flint, of California, and ten Congressmen associated with him have made a tour of the Isthmus of Panama to study the problems of the Canal construction. They have now issued a report that, as the result of their inquiries, they are convinced that the importation of Chinese coolies to work on the canal is unnecessary, and they intend to support the contention of Mr. Samuel Gompers and other Labour leaders that the labourers should be obtained from elsewhere.

The report of the returning Congressmen has given great satisfaction to the Labour men, and it is hoped that a lively criticism of the Canal administration will be kept up till the decision to employ Chinamen is reversed. NEWFOUNDLAND. CLOSE OF HERRING- FISHERY. Reuter's correspondent at St. John's, Newfoundland, says: "The herring fishery in the Bay of Islands is now closing.

American vessels are trying to force the colonial fisher-folk to assume ownership of the nets used in fishing by such vessels, deducting the cost from the men's wages. The colonial Government threaten to seize the vessels on the charge of trading within colonial waters contrary to Treaty if such is attempted. Twelve American, three Canadian, and three local vessels, herrin z-l aden have sailed January 1. The region is now freezing, and the fishery is likely to end next week." BRODSKY QUARTET CONCERT. Richard Strauss's Quartet for pianoforte, violin, viola, and 'cello the most interesting item in last night's programme has a good claim to rank as the most successful of this composer's contributions to chamber music.

On the whole we like Strauss the classio less than Strauss the creator of the symphonic poem or Strauss dealing with opera. Our reasons are not too easily stated. Certainly, in describing his quartets or his sonatas as interesting to the musician and, in a lesser degree, to the dilettante one does Strauss but scant justice; had he written nothing else, these works alone would gain him the right to rank amongst the greatest musicians of our time. Although the innovations he made in this branch of music cannot be compared with the reform he brought about in another field, the powerful individu ality of the composer is in evidence at every step and turn and, more than in any matter of form, it Is the spirit of his music which seems to breathe revolution; the rules which he accepts look ill at ease in company with such apparent Surely, never before did such passionate expression shake the carefully built edifice of classic form. In the Quartet in as in the Sonata for violin and pianoforte, as in "Till Bulenspiegel," as in there is nothing tentative or dubious; the com' poser never reveals the slightest hesitation, say, as regards colour or choice of modulations; bold strokes, daring effectsr an'almost incredible endowment of melodic invention and of harmonic skill combined to make the value of the work beyond dispute.

At the same time it is not difficult to imagine, how the many who worship at one altar only should feel entirely baffled by musfo so extremely different from anything hitherto produced; we have only to consider how Strauss uses his con trapuntal skill to grasp the fact that no such powerful mind has found expression in music since Wagner. But although his chamber music gives us iceen pleasure, vet, since becom ing fairly familiar with his later works, we feel that the limit imposed by classio forms and scholastic models do not fit to perfection Strauss's bent of mind. Had we been acquainted only with his chamber music we should have expected him to reach a very high place in that realm of composition if he chose to. forsake the company of gods and feast on the less serene iovs of romantic music, be feu, no doubt, that the freedom offered was sufficient reward. Again, the means chamber music places at the composer's disposal are not very varied, and also certain contrapuntal combinations which in the orchestra are accepted from the first would border dangerously on cacophony with a combination of instruments such as we had, for instance, last night.

In the coda of the scberao, in the quartet we heard last night, one felt how much more sttraotive the passage would be in the orchestra. It is good as it stands at present; only it might be infinitely more effective. After all, Strauss deals with limited resources much better than Tchaikovsky, and Tchaikovsky gives no little pleasure. Haydn's Quartet in (Op. 78, Ho.

1) opened the concert. Haydn also was an innovator in his time; his buoyancy shocked those who were used to more courtly manners, whereas nowadays It is to Haydn that we turn for courtliness, and (he passage from him to Strauss was tsA interesting experiment, though somewhat a dangerous one. Mr. Isttor Conn, who took the pfanoCotta in the Strauss Quartet, deserves the heartiest thanks for hi artistio and sympathetic playing. In the Andante hia breadth of tone was moot remarkable, while in the Seherao it was evident hehad tlwooghlynjasaid Strauss's fritrfost rhythmical dpvioea.

The aooBstie qualities of the hall stood in the way ai enjoy- ahteoerfcrmanee; the vfcJwas-at thnes hardhr heard at UL although was sndent from Xr. Specimen's swaying io and ap only that hs was playinc but lhavtbe moat waste hia taste. A good oTTfrnWawto'i Octet brought the concert to a dose, she seoood quaf- tet befog formed by Mi BdUfcltoHnson, Mrs. Bawdon Srifgav Miss Mary MrCsdlagfc, sod Mx. The nextonwiOtafce nlaeott Mr.

PERSIA'S RULER. LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE NEW SHAH. FAVOURABLE REPORTS. As was announced in our later editions of yesterday, the Shah of Persia died on Tuesday evening; the official announcement of his death was made in Teheran, the Persian capital, nine o'clock yesterday morning. Shortly after the official announcement Mohammed Ali Mirza, the heir-apparent, proceeded to the Palace.

He was at once formally acknowledged as Shah by the Grand Vizier, the Ministers of State, and other Princes of the Royal family, and by numerous high Court and Government officials. To-day the members of the Diplomatic Body will be received by the Grand Vizier, and will convey to him their condolences and those of their respective heads of State and governments, and on Sunday they will be received by the new Shah, and to him they will present their congratulations on his accession. The enthronement of the new monarch has been fixed for the Ghadir Festival (the Festival of the Lake), which is celebrated on February 2, the anniversary of the day on which the Prophet, by the side of a lake, proclaimed that Ali was his own flesh and blood. THE NEW SHAH. Reuter's Agency has made inquiries in various quarters as to the effect which the Shah's death is likely to have on the country.

There seems small reason to fear that the new Shah's accession will be signalised by an outbreak of general anarchy. It is pointed out that the advent of a new ruler is more likely to restore quiet and to bring about a firmer form of government. For some time past the late Shah had been unable to attend to business of State, and the affairs of the country have fallen into a more than usually disorganised condition. Mohammed Ali Mirza, the new Shah, may be. expected to take a more active part in the government than his father was able to do.

He is in the prime of life, having been born in 1872. Like all his brothers, he received an excellent education, both Persian and European. He was made familiar with European politics and philosophy bv a French tutor, speaks French perfectly, and has a knowledge or English, ollowing the usual custom, he entered the army, but, not content with play ing a merely decorative part, he went through all grades of the service from lieutenant to field marshal, in order perfectly to acquaint himself with military organisation. As the heir to the Persian throne he was Governor of Azerbaijan. Unlike other princes, he took an active part in the actual government of his province, and earned a reputation as an enlightened administrator.

He is credited with being a friend of progress and reform, and has signed the recently granted Constitution. During the late Shah's absence from Persia he acted as Regent. He is an ardent sportsman, and especially fond of hunting and riding. PERSIAN OFFICIAL'S EULOGY. Reuter's representative had an interview yesterday morning with the Persian Charge d'Affaires in London, who communicated the following biographical sketch of Persia's new ruler The new Shah is 34 years of age, and was born at Tabriz, when his father was Viceroy of that province.

As a child the Prince showed signs of great intelligence, remarkable strength of character, and independence of will. The late Shah took great pains (With the education of his children, and the Crown Prince not only acquired the usual Persian education Persian and Arabic philosophy and science', but he also received instruction from various European professors engaged as his tutors. Thus, although he has not been to Europe as I a rule a Crown Prince oannot leave the country, he is well versed in the subjects taught in the schools and universities of Europe. He speaks French particularly well, and has devoted considerable time to the study of political sciences and the political history of Europe. Among literary men of Persia he has gained fame for his excellent caligraphy and elegant style two accomplishments much prized in Persia.

He is, however, above all, a military man. and has bad a careful and thorough training in the art of war, and has commanded several regiments. Indeed so desirous were the late Shah and Nasr-ed-din, the new Shah's grandfather, that his military training should be as thorough as possible that the young Prince entered the army as an ensign, and reached the grade of commander solely on his merits and only after having served the full period fixed for each intermediate grade. His military qualifications found wide scope in the administration of the province of Azerbaijan. This is essentialy a military province, and the majority of the best Persian troops are recruited among its inhabitants.

This is one of the reasons why this province has the privilege of always being governed by the future sovereign of Persia until his accession to the throne. It was in the past deemed important that the ruler should, while Crown Prince, be enabled to gain the sympathy of the most Important province of the country and of the flower of the army, so as to strengthen his position in the event of any rising at the time of his accession to the throne. No disturbances are expected now, as the country is tranquil and the new Shah enjoys great popularity. He is described by those who know him well as a serious and earnest man, energetio and fond of his work, and personally attending to every detail of his government and exacting from his Ministers and assistants accurate and efficient work. Indeed his officials have often been heard to make complaints, not unmixed with admiration, of the seal and exactitude with which he worked and made them work when he was Governor of Tabriz.

It may be interesting to Europeans to know that the Shah has not inherited from bis Royal ancestors that Oriental love of pomp and display usually associated withPersian monarchs. He is fond of simplicity, and the sumptuous-new of his Court does not exceed that whioh is absolutely necessary for the maintenance of his rank and dignity. Some, indeed, have been inclined to assert that he is economical to a fault. He did much to improve the condition of the province of Azerbaijan, and constructed many scboolB and hospitals. During his tenure of the Governorship many intricate frontier and administrative questions arose, with whioh he successfully dealt.

It is Ridiculous to say that he is opposed to the Constitution. He is, on the contrary, a most firm supporter and advocate of reform. The last statement refers to a recent report that the new Shah is bitterly opposed to the National Assembly and its supporters. GERMAN OPINION. Commenting on the death of the Shah, the Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung says: "The late Shah was a friend to Germany.

We sincerely deplore his death, and hope that the good relations between the German Empire and Persia will continue under the role of bis successor in the same spirit as hitherto. That does not signify, a spirit aiming at the execution of political' plans such as are falsely attributed to Germany sometimes in the foreign bat is in the intMMt of the devekjpment of our trade with IPersia the promotion of peaoefol errihsa- i The newspapers (says BewterX wlnTe ing that the late Sbah was neither a great ruler or xne reverse, tunimwiysy Mb lllMll'SJ TKM1CV UllMUl Naturally, the of Great Britain Russia in Persia is discussed at length. The "Tagliche Rundschau says that the decided anti-British and anti-Russian character of Persian Liberalism even permits the infer-ence that relations between Germany and Persia may become more cordial. The "Post" declares that the Persian Parliament owes its existence mainly to British influence, and this mighty friend and protector of Persia will know how to use her creation when necessary to uphold her present predominant position. Russian diplomacy, the journal points out, will also strive to win oer the new ruler, and it considers that it would bo more advantageous for German interests if Russia gained the upper hand, for from the Russians it is to be expected that they will not place difficulties in the way of trade and the commercial exploitation of the country by other European nations, which from previous experience it is to be feared the British would do.

Regarding the bank concession recently granted to Germany by Persia, it is understood that the GeTman Government has turned it over to a group of German banks, which will shortly send out experts to teport on the financial possibilities of the country before a definite decision in the matter is taken. ENGLISH INTERESTS IN PERSIA. At a meeting of the Central Asian Society, held last evening in London, Sir Edwin Collen said Persia, as Lord Curzon had remarked, was at the gates of India. We had to face Russia and Germany two great Powers. With Russia he thought an understanding was possible, and he trusted it would come to pass before very long.

As to Germany there was a great deal of difficult work still to be done in connection with the Bagdad Railway. The death of the Shah ot might, or might not cause a disturbance the country, but it was possible'that some good mujht come out of the constitutional changes recently made. He would enoourage British i commerce in the Persian Gulf. Mr. Rees, said it was difficult to persuade the outside publio that the question of tne Bagdad Railway was as important to England as that of the Suez Canal.

He hoped there would be no false feeling of sympathy with a people struggling to be free, for the Arabs were as free as possible. He believed that the death of the Shah would be fraught with no disadvantage to this country, and that in his son they would have quite as good a friend. The King and the Foreign Office were yesterday officially apprised of the death of the Shah, and by the King's command the Secretary for Foreign Affairs despatjned to the Persian Court and Government, through the British Minister at Teheran, a telegram of condolence. Sir Edward also offered the condolences of the British Government. RUSSIA AND FINLAND A PLOT THAT FAILED.

(Fhom a Finnish Cobebspondent.) A recent incident relating to that part of the Baltic Fleet stationed at Helsingfors may serve to illuminate the present stage of the revolutionary movement and tho shifts to which the Government is put in order to save its face. On December 27 orders were received from St. Petersburg that all officers were to be at their posts, as a mutiny on board the largest man-of-war in the harbour here was expected that night. Very few people except those actually concerned got wind of this, but rumours had been going about for weeks that a xmval mutiny might break out at any moment. For four nights certam of the more important officers were kept upon duty at the marine barracks on shore, but nothing happened.

Yesterday, a revolutionary informs me, two officers were overheard talking the matter over together. "What are we to do nowP" said one to the other. "We have done our best; we must send word to St. Petersburg that we can't bring it about." Exactly what was required to be "brought about" is not difficult to guess. The Government is now applying its favourite policy of provocation to the fleet.

Its object is to anticipate any general naval rising by provoking mutinies at various times on individual ships, and so to weed out the more daring and dangerous of the sailors. In the present case the revolutionaries heard of the trap that was being set, and warned the ringleaders alhong the sailors. SUBSIDIES TO SHIPPING. AMERICAN BILL KILLED. (Fbom oub Correspondent.) New York, January 9.

The Ship Subsidy Bill is regarded as dead for the session. The Speaker and the House management are opposed to it, while the President refuses to send a special message in advocacy of subsidies unless the Republicans in the House agree upon a plan. This seems impossible. The whole scheme has been freshly injured by current developments relating to the control of the Pacific railways. Harriman now adds his name to that of Mr.

Pier- pont Morgan as one of the beneficiaries of the ship subsidy if the bill should pass. This makes the load of obloquy too heavy for Con gress to shoulder. RAILWAY "DEALS." (From a Correspondent.) Chicago, January 9. The investigation which is being carried on by the Interstate Commerce Commission into the working of the railway lines con trolled by Mr. Harriman and his friends con tinues to be productive of sensational charges.

Mr. Harriman is accused of buying the Illinois Central line for $80,000,000 (16,000,000) and selling it to the stockholders of the Union Pacific Company for (fczu.uJUjUUU). Me was thus, according to his accusers, able to share with his associates a dividend of 20 per cent on the deal. The investigation also showed that over the thousands of miles of the Harriman lines the freight had been badly handled, and there had been no direct increase in the earnings of the lines now under the control of the Harriman group. RAILWAY TRUSTS.

Suits have been filed (says Reuter) in the Supreme Court of the State of Missouri to dissolve the alleged merger of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, Missouri Pacific, and Iron Mountain Railway Companies, and to revoke the charters and licences of several express, refrigerator, grain-elevator, and coal-mining companies- on the ground that tbey are owned oy tne same interests, the Goulds, in violation of the Constitution and laws of the State. SCOTTISH DEVOLUTION. THE LORD ADVOCATE. Mr.

Thomas Shaw, Lord Advocate for Scot land, speaking at Edinburgh last night, said that devolution of Scottish business had become almost an imperative duty. Unless soma- thing were done boob tbey would have to write over St. Stephen's, Here dwelt a ParBament which legislated by crush and not by raasejn In the meantime they ought to support the ppcintment of -a Scottish Grand Cummlttes. Soottiab legislation ought to go forward at I. i a ii i ffi -STG rtoih trade-: ez toe declined trad feocanad tb jtey pa THE TRANSFERENCE TO SOUTHAMPTON.

MOTIVES OF THE COMPANY. The managers of the White Star Line yesterday issued the following statement: "It is with no little regret that we have noticed a tendency in many of the comments in the press having reference to the transfer of the White Star mail service from Liverpool to Southampton to attribute to the management of the Company other motives for making the change than those which were mentioned in the statement officially issued to the press for publication last Monday. In unnecessarily seeking for these possible alternatives suggestions Have been made that the motive might lie in hostility to this or that company, to a desire to forestall and prejudice our neighbours, or because the competition in Liverpool is now, or is likely to become in the future, too severe to enable the Company to continue to employ so much of its tonnage profitably in the Liverpool and New York trade, Ac. Inasmuch as by incorrectly imputing to the management other than the real motives for making the change harm may possibly be done, we should like it understood that the notice authorised by us and published in last Monday's papers contained a full, complete, and perfectly correct statement of the facts. The idea of making the move is not new to us.

It has been under consideration for several years, during which time we have been watching the situation and it has been decided upon at this time because, in our opinion, the best interests of the line require that it should now be made, in order that we may by this means meet the pressing demands of that important section of our supporters who wish to travel by ships calling at either an English or a French Channel port. There is, of course, a very important passenger and cargo traffic which may be said to especially belong to Liverpool, and by catering for that traffic to the best of our ability we hope to deserve for the line, at the hands of its Liverpool patrons in the future, that same generous support it has so long been privileged to enjoy. The announcement of the Company's extensive sailings to and from Liverpool is in itself a sufficient answer to any suggestion that Liverpool's position as the leading port for Transatlantic traffic is BeriousTy. QUEENSTOWN AND THE MAILS. AN APPEAL TO IRELAND.

The Cork Harbour Commissioners yesterday passed a resolution calling upon the entire body of Irish members of Parliament to oppose any withdrawal of the American mail service from Queenetown, and that the various railway companies, corporations, county councils, and other public bodies interested be requested to co-operate with the Board in resisting such withdrawal. The Chairman, referring to the action of the White Star Company, said it would not affect seriously the interests of Cork Harbour. What he feared most was that the movement was the getting in of the thin end of the wedge, which might result in Queens-town being abandoned as a Transatlantic mail packet station. SOUTHAMPTON JUBILANT. At the meeting of the Southampton Town Council yesterday the Mayor, alluding to the transfer of White Star liners to that port, said that Southampton's star was at the present time certainly in the ascendant.

They most heartily welcomed the new line of steamers. They could not tell what prosperity it might bring, but they knew it must be great. They welcomed the White Star Company, and trusted that their flag and the flags of many other steamships sailing from that port would float proudly there for many years to come, bringing commerce and prosperity to the town. The Mayor added that he hoped outsiders would not rush into the town under the belief that there was plenty of work at present. An official of the Royal Mail Steamship Company says that his Company will welcome the White Star Line "at Southampton, as the change will prove convenient to passengers from South America to the United States.

The "Devon and Exeter Gazette" of to-day says it has authority for stating that the plans for the new wet dock which the London and South-Western Railway Company propose to construct at Southampton will provide not merely for the simultaneous reception of four ocean-going steamers but for seven, and prob ably eight, of the largest liners afloat. AMERICA AND ENGLAND. NEW EXTRADITION TREATY. (From a Cobrkspondbnt.) WASBTNGXotr, January 9. The offences for which extradition orders may be granted between America and England ere to be increased in number.

The official announcement may be expected shortly of the ratification of a Convention supplementing the Extradition Treaty of 1870 between Great Britain and. the United States, so that offences relatimz to briberv and the breach of the Bankruptcy Acts may be made excruaiiaoie. Owing to the conflicting laws of several of tne states, great dnhcnlty was experienced in framing a definition of bribery which would cover the enactments on both sides of the Atlantic At length Mr. Choate who had the matter in hand while Ambassador in London, defined bribery as "the giving or receiving of bribes made criminal by the laws of both countries," and this general state ment was accepted. TEXTILE STRIKE IN MEXICO.

30 RIOTERS KILLED; 80 WOUNDED, Laffan a correspondent at the City of Mexico telegraphed yesterday: Five thousand textile workers have struck at Orizaba, and yesterday they set fire to a mQL The troops thereupon fired two vol! killing 30 of the strikers and wounding The others fled. NEGRO MILITARY PLOT, WHITE OFFICERS TO BE MASSACRED. (fro a cokkksfosoxst.) Washtnciow, Jajtouky 9. A serious plot has been discovered by military inquiry which is at present engaged in investigating the eondjtkm of the troops at Wort Reno, in There has been a conspiracy hatched amaae the neero soldiers to aanaotnate all their white officers in eon- egjasace of the action of the President in dfechrging the negroes of the 25th Infantry after their conndicrtT in fh riots at Brown. KiDe had been proved- ent Hooasveit nrecanne to Poraker -and Ins other cntic at the BrowtMnrffle dfflimtaaia.

and he thnttlieeoxiplifliiyof the and that UMMOim xamr macnan was thai BOERS PUT FORWARD BRITISH CANDIDATE. (FROM A COBRESPOETDENT.) JoHANNXSBUHG, JATTOABT 9. The leauers of Het Volk have induced Mr. Hull to stand as their candidate for Ger-miston, a Band mining division which is partly occupied by the Dutch This is a great blow to the Chamber of Mines and the British supremacy party. Mr.

Hull is the first prominent pro-war agitator to join Het Volk, a fact which indicates the attraction exercised by Het Volk on the Rand population, and is a consequence of cosmopolitan bullying. Mr. Hull by joining Het Volk has com pelled Sir Richard Solomon to take a strong Anti-Progressive line, as it enables the Dutch and British to form a coalition Government. Tho wisdom of the grant of responsible government to the Transvaal is becoming daily more apparent. Reuter correspondent telegraphed yesterday: Mr.

H. C. Hull, member of the existing Legislative Council, who belonged to the Nationalist party and had decided not to stand for election to the new Transvaal Legislature, has now accepted nomination by Het Volk to contest the Georgetown division of Germiston as a member of Het Volk party. DATE OF THE ELECTIONS. LORD SELBORNE'S POSITION.

Another message says: "The final voters' roll will be published next week, and it is most probable that the elections will take place in the last week in February. The new Constitution will be promulgated on the 12th on which date the post of Lieutenant Governor will (ipso facto) lapse, and Lord Selborne will be sworn in as Governor under a new Commission." MEMORIAL KOTICES. THE QUEEN OF HANOVER. A Reuter's telegram from Gmunden, Upper Austria, announces that the Queen of Hanover, who has long lived in retirement, died there early yesterday morning, at the age of 89. She was the daughter of Duke Joseph of Saxe-Altenburg, a little principality in Central Germany, and in 1843 married the blind King George V.

of Hanover. Her death recalls once more the stormy fortunes of that house. The throne of Hanover went io Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, when William IV. of England died. George V.

was the next king. He engaged in a perpetual warfare against the liberal Ministries which the popular representatives forced on him, and snowed unceasing hostility to the concessions whioh had been wrung from his father, King Ernest. In 1866 came the catastrophe which drove the King and Queen into exile. Hanover sided with Austria in the Confederate Diet, and peremptorily rejected the demands for a reform of the Confederation which Prussia made on her and other dissident German States. Hanover was invaded, and although the Hanoverians were victorious at Langensalza, their army was speedily surrounded, and the King and his son, the present Duke of Cumberland, were excluded from their kingdom.

At the close of the war Hanover was annexed to Prussia. King George addressed a protest to the Powers of Europe, but it was not a quarrel in which the' Powers had any wish to meddle. "He died In 1878, and never relinquished his claim to the throne of his old kingdom a position still maintained by the Duke of Cumberland. The revenues of the family were confiscated, and used by Bismarck as a fund for the manipulation of the press; on his departure into exile, King George had taken with him all the State funds that he could lay his hands on. The children of the Queen of Hanovor are the Duke of Cumberland and Princess Frederics of Hanover.

MR. F. W. STAVEACBE. We regret to record the death, which took place yesterday, of Mr.

F. William Staveacre, the president of the Stockport Liberal Association, who was a well-known stockbroker in business in Manchester. He began his business career as a clerk in a Stockport hatworks, but advanced himself and founded the firm of Messrs. F. W.

Staveacre and Co. in Manchester. By his death Stockport Liberalism has sustained a great loss. He succeeded Mr. Alderman William Lees as president of the Liberal Association of the town four years ago, and took a leading part in organising the forces of the party for the general election of last January, and thereby seoured the return of Mr.

J. Duckworth. In the eighties he made a name as an athlete by winning many prizes for footracing. He was one of the founders of the Manchester Athletic Club, and for many years one of its officials. He was also well known in the lacrosse world, being president of the North of England Lacrosse Association, a representative of the North of England on the English Lacrosse Union, and at one time president of the Cheshire Lacrosse Association.

He was one of the oldest members of the Stockport Lacrosse Club, whose reputation he did much to make aud maintain. He was an ardent Volunteer, and held a captain's commission in the 4th Volunteer Battalion Manchester Regiment. No man, indeed, was better known in all the associations which promote manly exercises in Greater Manchester, and, it may be added, none was better liked. He was a fine example of the athletic and vigorously mental Briton a man of sound mind and sound body. He was a sincere friend, and his death will be lamented greatly.

Mr. T. C. Edwards. Jhe death has taken place of Mr.

Trevor C. Edwards, of Wakefield, solicitor to the West Riding County Council and clerk and solicitor to the West Riding Rivers Board. Mr. Edwards was admitted a solicitor in 1878, and after holding the position of town clerk of Swansea he obtained a similar appointment at Dewsbury. Thence he went to Wakefield as partner with Mr.

W. L. Williams, wh lis now a member of the Bar, but was then solicitor to the West Riding justices. On the formation of the County Mr. Williams became solicitor to that body, and on his retirement Mr.

Edwards succeeded him in the post, while he was also appointed clerk and solicitor to the Rivers Board on the formation of that body in 1894. He was a most industrious and painstaking officer, and enjoyed the entire confidence of his fellow-officials. He was a Conservative and a Churchman. Mb. 7.

BkaCSTRK- The death has taken place at Brighton of Mr. Joseph Beausire, for many years a prominent merchant in Liverpool and a director of several important companies, including the Pacific Steam Navigation Company yal instance Company. He was Jn his 7401 year. The death is also announced of Ms. John GarrviN, founder and principal proprietor and for some years editor of the Walsall of Mb.

Whmah Hknby Mtoock, who entered the Post-office in 1844 and was for many years director of tho confidential inquiry branch at St. Martin's-le-Grand, London; of Ms. DAvn MnBii, of the London and Australian firm of Messrs. D. and W.

Murray, Limited, who was for some time Chief Secretary ih South Australian Government and for a number yds fXqtt HIGH RUSSIAN OFFICIAL MDEDEBED. THE MILITARY PROCURATOR. General Pavloff, the Russian Military Pro-curator, or Public Prosecutor, was assassinated vesterday. morning while walking in the courtyard of the chief military tribunal in St. Petersburg.

He is the fourth distinguished Russian official who has been murdered within the last three weeks. The others, it will be remembered, were: December 22. Count Alexis Ignatieff, of Tver. Decembeb 28. M.

Litvinoff, Governor of Akmolinsk. January 3. General von der Launitz, Prefect of St Petersburg. These assassinations mark an increase of Terrorist activity, but apart from them the record of the past twelve months shows that the following highly placed officials were murdered The Vice Governor of TamboS, the chiefs of police at Irkutsk, at Kutais, at Bielastok, the Governors of Tver, of Elizabethgrad, of Ekater-inoslav, the commander of the port of St. Petersburg, the admiral commanding at Sevastopal, General Kozloff (supposed to have been mistaken for Trepoff), and General Min, who suppressed Moscow rising, both at Peterhof.

General PavlofF, as was natural from his, office, had a bad reputation among the revolutionaries. This was shown during the sittings of the Duma in the early part of Juno. Eight men had been sentenced to death at Riga by a court-martial, and the Duma had asked that the executions should be postponed pending the discussion of a bill for the abolition 5f the death penalty. The men wore executed, and an interpellation on the subject was addressed to the Minister of War by a member of the Duma. General PavlofF answered for the Minister.

He replied that the Minister for War could not interfere with local governors or the sentences of courts-martial, and there was an end of the, matter. Tho answer was resented as an insult to the intelligence of the House, and uliAn General Pavloff left he was followed by cries of Hangman 1" and "Murderer!" Further, he is believed to be the author of the present summary courts-martial. If, therefore, it is true that the Social Revolutionaries have entered on a fresh campaign of terror, it. is not surprising that they marked down a man whom they regarded with such hatred among the first of their victims. "STERN VENGEANCE." (FROM OtJR CORRESPONDENT.) Sx.

Petersburg, January 9. The rapid succession of assassinations, to tho latest of which General Pavloff, the Military Procurator, to-day fell a victim, has evoked violent political emotions in Russians, who were fast losing the capacity for them. Something of the old, weird feeling of combined horror and wonder that used to fill the atmosphere in the presence of terrorism is abroad. To-day's assassination is an act of stern vengeance. General Pavloff was mainly responsible for the recrudescence of capital punishment in a country that had long since abandoned this penalty as inhuman.

Ever since tho Government chose to replace the bungling justice of the ordinary court-martial by wholesale slaughter under the cover of field courts-imwtial, there-was' no hope that the chief military prosecutor, whose cold-blooded ferocity in insisting upon the application of tho last penalty in the case of revolutionaries became notorious as a result of the notable interpellation in the Puma, would escape tho vengeance of the Terrorists. THE ASSASSINATION. Router's telegrams give the following account of tho assassination of General Pavloff. He was walking through the courtyard of the chief military tribunal, where he had his official residence, when the assassin approached and saluted him with the utmost coolness, and, drawing a revolver, fired six shofej at him. Four of these took effect in the General's chest, and two in his neck.

General Pavloff died very shortly afterwards. His assailant, who is young man, wore the uniform of a subordinate employe of the Military Chancellery. After shooting the General he ran down an adjoining street, and before he was arrested one gendarme was killed and another gendarme and a boy wero wounded. He carried two revolvers, and in all fired seventeen shots. He refused to answer any of the questions put to him.

He was the bearer of a delivery receipt-book and of three parcels addressed to the Administrative Offices. The receipt-book contained two receipts; the signatures written in the same hand. It was owing to his disguise that the assassin succeeded in gaining admittance to the inner courtyard of the military tribunal. The information which the Social Revolutionary party is able to acquire as to tho movements and habits of its marked victims has been exemplified in the case of the mar. dcrs of Count Ignatieff, General von der Launitz.

and now General Pavloff, and uhov.s isays. Reuter) both the extent of their organisation and the existence of widespread treachery in the bureaucratic camp. The greatest "alarm is displayed in official quarters, because it is well known that the reign of terror has only just begun. Af'e the. murder of General von der Launits the Social Revolutionary organisation succeeded circulating a manifesto declaring that their dictates would be carried- out and that the work of extermination would be prosecuted until the last remnants of the P011 regime had been destroyed.

General Pavloff was abhorred by the Revolutionaries and Liberals alike; the Duma rose against h'm when, on behalf of the Minister of War, he attempted to reply to an interpellation concerning the abolition of the death, penalty. "I HAVE DONE MY DUTY." A neuter's telegram despatched at 6 45 p.m. yesterday says: The murderer of General Pavloff is fair, of middle height, and about 25 vears of age. He had in his possession a "considerable quantity of reserve cartridges for his two revolvers. The evening papers state that when he was taken to the station he said to the police: "There is no need to search me.

I give you everything I have. I have nothing 'against you. 1 nave done my duty. My plan has succeeded. General Pavloff was alone in the garden at the tune of the murder, utKog ww-j mnrnincr strr.ll with his dofflS.

The aSSOSSin passed the porter at the gate uiinotioed, and! saliitpri iianem.1 jraYluu. wiiu m.u. salute. On hearing the shots wh Per rushed to General Pavlofi's assistsuoe. The murderer fired at him, but missed he then fled towards the Opera House, where a queue of several hundred people wait ta buy pickets had already assembled.

Mierawere imm Mm as he made fits waV past the crowd, and it was here that ar policeman and a boy were ra. assissin's two revolvers, of which he TISIL i Tn nnliMmea nreo at nun. buCmissed. He was: yaB rom the scene on the ocosteon mytm arsafc bane' asexea a imwmmmeumum tiigsnViB tb iiiter of Mtortdpar Parfepa, MaeafaippgggjgBgp Council. fa.