Thousands of people have been brought to want, through the sweeping away of their homes by the waters, and so much misery and poverty have been reported, that President McKinley sent a message to the Senate, telling them of the distress caused by the floods, and asking them to take legislative action for the relief of the sufferers. He stated that he had been informed that $150,000 to $200,000 would be required to assist the people. On receipt of the President's message a joint resolution was offered, giving $150,000 of the public money for the use of the people in the flooded districts. This resolution was passed by a unanimous vote of the Senate, and would have been sent to the President, but that word came from the House of Representatives that that body had passed a resolution voting $200,000. The Senate immediately recalled its resolution, altered it to agree with that from the House, and passing it promptly, sent it to the President, who signed it without delay. The Secretary of War, General Alger, has made all arrangements for giving the fund to the suffering people. Six officers are now in the flooded districts, finding out what the wants of the people are, and another detail of officers is to follow them, distributing food and relief according to instructions. That every section may be reached, the flooded country has been divided into six districts, with one officer to go over each. The Citizens' Relief Committee of Memphis, Tenn., had arranged to help the sufferers in its district before Congress was heard from. This one society fed and cared for nearly seven thousand people who had sought refuge from the waters. This society has also sent large quantities of food and supplies to various points in Arkansas and Mississippi, but the help of the Government was very badly needed. The Citizens' Relief Committee could only reach a very small portion of the people who are suffering from the angry rise of the Father of Waters, as the Mississippi is called. * * * * * Matters are very unsettled in the Transvaal. They are still inquiring as to who gave Dr. Jameson the authority to make his raid, but nothing of any consequence has been brought to light. In the Transvaal itself, war with England seems to be threatening. There is much angry discussion over the late news that England has leased Delagoa Bay for thirty years, at a rental of $2,500,000 a year. Delagoa Bay belongs to Portugal, and is the only seaport which the Boers can reach. The Transvaal, as you will see by the map, lies inland, and has not any sea-coast of its own. The English deny this report, but, all the same, British war-ships are being sent to Delagoa Bay. A new High Commissioner has been appointed to South Africa, and a great deal of surprise was felt when it was learned that he was to take a strong body of marines and sailors with him.