e Afridis broke their alliance with the
English, and attacked and destroyed forts which they had agreed to
guard.

The present indications are that the war in India will soon be over.

It is said that this will not put an end to England's troubles in
Hindustan, as the expense of the war, combined with the money spent to
stamp out the plague, has so exhausted the treasury of India that funds
will have to be supplied very soon to keep the country going.

The council of India is considering the best means to raise the money
needed.

* * * * *

The Sultan of Turkey has once more been heard from on the subject of
Crete.

This time he is objecting to the commissioner appointed by the Powers to
take charge of Cretan affairs.

It is said that the German Government is in sympathy with the Sultan in
this matter, and has also signified its disapproval of the commissioner.

The uneasy feeling in regard to Turkey is increasing, and trouble is
expected before the winter is over.

* * * * *

The news of Andree brought by the whalers turns out to be somewhat
indefinite.

They say that they sighted an object which they are quite sure was the
great balloon.

They state further that they heard strange cries coming across the
ice-fields, which sounded to them like human voices, and they believe
that Andree and his party are stranded somewhere on an ice-floe.

Captain Sverdrup, who commanded the _Fram_, in which Dr. Nansen made his
famous Arctic voyage, says that it is his belief that the sounds heard
were made by birds or else by the packing of the ice.

In the hope that Andree may still be alive, a relief expedition has
started off from the northern coast of Norway in search of the
adventurer and his companions.

There is a very interesting article in this month's _Scribner's
Magazine_, which tells about the starting of the balloon. You should
read it.

* * * * *

The fur seal conference has been in session in Washington for nearly two
weeks.

England's representative, of course, was not present. You will remember
that after several refusals and acceptances she finally decided to meet
the United States in a conference to be held separately from the one
which is now taking place.

Russia and Japan are well represented in this conference. Out of
compliment to Mr. Foster, of the United States, who travelled to
England, Russ