LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 316, 11 April 1881, Page 2

LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

[Per s.s. Rinoakooma, at the Bluer.] London, March 28.

Instructions have been given to largely increase the numbers of the Metropolitan Police Force, and in view of the arduous and dangerous nature of their duties it has been deemed advisable to arm them with more effective weapons. The harvest prospects in America are considered most satisfactory. It is anticipated that the yield of wheat this season will be unusually large. The cotton crop is also likely to be excellent. > The Pall Mall Gazette contains a leading article advocating the federation of the Australian colonies into one dominion, after the model of Canada, pointing out that Australia would at once assume a position in the eyes of the world as a powerful and growing nation. The writer, however, admits that the difficulties in the way of union among the colonies are now too great, owing to differences in their fiscal policy and local jealousies, to permit of federation for some time to come.

The spread of Socialism in Germany is causing much alarm to the authorities. Not on’y in large towns, but in country districts, there are manifold signs of the doctrines having taken deep root, despite repressive legislation. The Chancellor proposes to resort to most severe and drastic measures in order to stamp out Socialism. April 2.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, acting under the new powers conferred upon him by the Irish Coercion Act, has proclaimed thirteen baronies in the county of Cork as disturbed; Strict measures will be taken to prevent outrage, and the enforcement of more effective measures of repression therein have been authorised.

The weather throughout Europe has been abnormally severe. In Hungary great damage has been caused from inundations caused by the overflow of swollen rivers. In Spain, also, there have been most disastrous floods. In Seville and the neighborhood especially much loss has been occasioned by the overflow of the Guadalquiver, many inhabitants being rendered homeless. From the United States very bad weather is reported. The State of Missouri has suffered severely, extensive floods having been caused by the Missouri and Mississippi, both of which have overflowed their banks.

Sir W, Harcourt, the Home Secretary, repudiates the suggestion that he has been instigated by foreign states to prosecute the editor of the Socialist paper Die Frich it.

The Boers are plundering, the inhabitants of the Transvaal who during the recent war remained loyal to the British Crown. Twelve new baronets have been created.

Mr Powell, the Conservative member for Wigan, who was elected in January last in room of Lord Lindsay, has been unseated.

Conflicts have taken place between the French and people of Tunis, adjoining the French settlement in Algiers. In the fighting which occurred a number of combatants were killed.

The French expedition formed for the purpose of carrying into operation the scheme for the railway across the Desert of Sahara has met with a serious disaster. The natives treacheonsly administered to the party.some deadly poison, from the effects of which sixty died.