“100 dead” in Maltese tragedy

A London Greek Committee has just been set up, with hopes that Lord Byron, who is in Italy, may back the campaign.

The London group is seeking to increase support for the Greek cause among British politicians and opinion formers, and raise loans for the Greeks in the City of London. A Devon businessman, John Bowring, is one of the leading figures. He was held in France for six weeks last year over claims he was a spy.

More than 100 boys are feared dead after falling down a fight of stairs at a convent in the capital, Valletta, during celebrations of Malta’s annual carnival.

The children, aged 15 or 16, were crushed as they waited to collect bread being distributed as part of the festivities. Adults and extra children got into the convent and the boys intended to receive the free food fell, after being left in darkness when a gas lamp went out.

Carnival has been a big event on the Mediterranean island since the 1530s, with games, pageants, and historical re-enactments.