LATEST FROM EUROPE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 266, 11 February 1881, Page 2

LATEST FROM EUROPE

(Per Renter's Agency.) A Russian Intrigue. London, Feb. 8. According to official documents which have been published, General Sir Frederick Roberts discovered, while in occupation of Cabul, a secret treaty for an offensive and defensive alliance, signed between Russia and the Ameer, dated August, 1878, also a letter from the Russian General Soltikoff, dated October of the same year, advising Shere Ali to sue for peace with England, but at the same time to secretly prepare for war. Other papers which were found moreover show that the Russiane policy included measures to incit an armed rebellion of the Mahomedans in India. Second Reading of the Coercion Bill. In the House of Commons last night, the Irish Coercion Bill was read a second time on division, showing a majority of 300 with the Government. The Panama Canal. London, Feb. 9. Intelligence has been received from Panama that the first batch of engineers has arrived, and preliminary operations in connection with the construction of the Isthmus canal have been com? menced. Paying the Pipor. Constantinople, Feb. 9. The Porte has decided to raise an internal loan, and levy a poll lax to defray the cost of the last war. The Boer Rebellion. Capetown, Feb. 8.

Further news to hand from Natal states that .since the stoppage of the mail between Langsack and Newcastle, General Sir George Colley has despatched a force to clear the road of Boers. Feb. 9.. Later intelligence from Governor Sir George Colley, in the Transvaal, announces that his force has successfully attacked and defeated a large body of Boers whom it encountered between Newcastle and Ingogo. The British loss in the fight was 150 killed and wounded. The enemy suffered very heavy loss, but its extent is not stated. General Colley expects to be able to maintain lps position in the Transvaal until the arrival of reinforcements from Durban. Later. Further official intelligence from the Transvaal states that Sir George Colley was advancing with a force to clear the road to Newcastle, when the Boers made a strong attack on the position, and heavy fighting ensued, lasting fully six hours. Both sides suffered severely, but the enemy were finally repulsed with heavy loss, and withdrew at supset. The British troops then returned to camp, where General Colley hopes to maintain his position until the arrival of reinforcements.