Cossacks knout several prisoners to death at Odessa, Russia. Ex-Premier Balfour is elected to the British Parliament from London. Duchess Sophie Charlotte, of Oldenburg, and Prince Eitel Frederick, second son of the Emperor of Germany, are married at Berlin. The Emperor also celebrates his silver wedding. France asks the Czar of Russia to use his influence to get Germany to agree to France’s terms on the Moroccan question. Premier Witte reopens negotiations to determine the extent of a proposed agreement with England. Japanese officers assume control of the Imperial War College and the Trade and Commercial Schools at Canton, China. The United States English and French war vessels sail for different Chinese ports to protect foreigners. February 28.—Duchess Sophia Charlotte Oldenburg, the daughter of the Grand Duke of Oldenburg and Prince Eitel Frederick, the second son of the Emperor of Germany, were married yesterday in the chapel of the palace at Berlin. President Caceres, of Santo Domingo, in a message to his Congress, recommends the revision of the Constitution, of the import and export duties, the improvement of the ports and public roads, the enactment of laws benefiting agriculture, the free administration of justice and other improvements becoming a civilized nation. He recommends to Congress also the study of the treaty now before the United States Senate and declares that it is necessary to the welfare of his republic. The leading papers of St. Petersburg evince no satisfaction over the announcement of the date of the meeting of the Duma. It is said that the Duma will be prorogued almost immediately until autumn. Premier Witte has become an advocate of an Anglo-Russian understanding and it is reported that negotiations are about to be opened in London to determine the extent of a proposed agreement. If they are successful the new grouping of the Powers will check Germany’s ambition. It is reported from St. Petersburg that Russia is using all her influence at Berlin to prevent a rupture between France and Germany. The French officials at the Moroccan Conference at Algeciras do not look favorably upon the Berlin report that Germany will make concessions if France will also yield something. The French say that they have made concessions to which Germany has not responded. It is reported from Manila that Japanese officers have assumed control of the imperial war college and the trade and commercial schools at Canton, China. The battleship _Ohio_, flagship of the American fleet at the Asiatic station, has sailed for Hong Kong, where it will dock and make repairs, so as to be ready for possible emergencies.