Wishing to live at peace with this tribe, England made an agreement some time ago with them whereby some of the British forts in the hill country were put under the care of the Afridis. Money was paid to the tribe, and arms given out to the men, so that they might be strong enough to protect the British interests. In defiance of this agreement the 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, Russia, and Japan to obtain the consent of these various countries to the meeting, the attending delegates made him chairman of the conference.