The English mail of the 27th January arrived on the 1th inst., with telegrams to the 27th February.
The telegraphic news announced the virtual conclusion of peace. The preliminarics were signed on the 25th February, the armistice being at the same time extended to the Gth March. The basis is said to be the cession of Alsace and Metz, and the payment of five milliards of francs, (£200,000,000) as indemnity; the Germans to retain possession of certain fortresses and territory until the sum is paid, three years being allowed for the purpose. Obviously the telegraphic summary is incomplete, but it enables us to form a fair estimate of the terms. In the meantime, the nature of the future Government of France remains uncertain, The system of military reorganisation brought forward by Mr. Cardwell seems to be, as was predicted, incomplete. The abolition of the purchase system, in favour of competitive examinations, a slight increase of the regular army, and more careful organisation of the Volunteers, seems to be the total. A scheme is to be brought forward, for fortifying London.
A homeward mail leaves to-morrow, by the M, M. steamer Godavery.
The annual meeting of the Hongkong Fire Insurance Company was held in Hongkong on the ith inst. The report shows a net profit on the year's working of $180,640, after dividing 12 per cent on the paid up capital. This brings the Company's reserve up to $442,000, besides $400,000 subscribed capital.
A meeting of subscribers to the Chinese Hospital in Shantung Road, was held on Saturday. A summary of the reports by the Medical Officers and the Treasurer is given in our report of the proceedings. *It will be seen that the amount of subscriptions has greatly increased over previous years, and enabled the usefulness of the institution to be extended. Various interesting subjects were discussed; the principle one being the feasibility of teaching Chinese some knowledge of medicine and surgery, at the Hospital.
'A meeting of shareholders in the Shang hai General Hospital was held on Monday. The working account showed a total income of TMs. 16,426, and an expendi ture of Tls. 15,366, leaving a balance in hand of Tls. 1,060. The number of patients treated was 35 fewer than in 1869, and the receipt from this source less by Tis, 2,825. The Trustees attribute this partly to the effect of the change in the commerce of the port from sailing vessels to steamers, which reduces the number of seamen visiting the port and shortens their stay, and partly to the reduction of the funds available in the British Consulate, for the relief of destitute sick. It is to be regretted that the change in constitution of the Hospital, which was agreed to at the last general meeting, can not yet be perfected, owing to the neglect of certain shareholders to surrender their certificates. The Trustees were authorised to sell the land near the Ningpo joss-house, which is not only unremunerative and likely to remain so, but entails payment of ground rent.
The Directors of the U. 8, N. Company have called a meeting of shareholders for the 25th, to ratify the appointment of Messrs. Olyphant & Ca. as general agents of the Company, The election of Municipal Councillors for the ensuing year is to take place on the Srd and 4th April. Nomination papers have been circulated, and are to be returned tothe Council room not later than Saturday.
We hear that the claim of the Fire Department against the Andromeda has been settled out of Court—the ship paying the actual outlay incurred, and Tls. 300 in recognition of the services rendered.
We hear that the officials of the Kiangnan Arsenal have just purchased a considerable space of ground near the Lung-hwa Pagoda, for the purpose of establishing a large gunpowder manufactory. The machinery and general arrangements are to be the same the most approved systems used in England. Among the work lately turned out by the Arsenal, a curious item is three hundred coffee-mills These were ordered by Tsing: kwo-fan to be made for the use of his troop'. At first sight this sounds as if the Chinese army is to be indoctrinated into the use of foreign beverages as well as foreign arms.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.