Field-Marshal Count Von Walder see has proposed to place neutrals toguardtbesidingpendinganinquiry. MajorGeneralWogack has declined to discuss ownership unless the British made reparation for occupying the land, If tho British had requested the land for a siding, Russia would doubtless have grauted it, Viscount Cranbourne, Under- Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated that neither the generals nor Sir Ernest Satow, British Minister in Peking, wero instructed not to resist the Russian seizure.
THE BRITISH NAVY.
Intended Improvement in Heavy Guns.
London, March 19,

Mr Arnold Poster, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, in pre senting the Naval Estimates to the House of Commons, announced that the Admiralty purposed introducing into the largest warships 7jin, guns, equal, if not superior in ballistic power and efficiency, to those possessed hy any foreign Power, The Admiralty was, he added, in a fair way to adequately supply armour-piercing projectiles without which no Admiralty would like to send a fleet into action, This announcement was received with cheers,

Sixteen vessels armed with muzzle loaders would, said the Minister, dis appear from the effective list, The money asked in the Estimates would be applied to increasing and strengthening the navy, which was already highly efficient. Seamen bad done excellent service in South Africa and in China.
We bad butonetestimony regarding (he effective service of the Australian Contingents and the excellent be haviour of the men. He hoped this remarkakle precedent, set almost on the birthday of a great Common wealth, would bo imitated with'ad vantage to the Empire by Canada,

AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.
The New Zealand Com-

mission.
