EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 931, 1 May 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, April IS.

Some days ago a clerk named Guy, employed in the central telegraph office, Dublin, suddenly disappeared and no doe as to his whereabouts was found until yesterday. It appears that be was seized by a body of Fenians and conveyed to a place of confinement, where hewste kept close prisoner for four days. Darin); this period he was constantly questioned by the Fenians with regard to the nature of the messages which were transmitted through the telegraph office. It is evident that his captors thought Guy was.the confidential clerk to whom was entrusted the duty of transmitting Government messages in connection with Irish outrages, and that consequently he possessed the means of affording them ivaluable.information. . f-jt ."I'i’i-U.

Parnell strongly urges thepromotera of the American convention of Fenians which was to be held soon to postpone -th#i event until autumn. . He promises if this is done to attend the. convention. :;'

The question of the annexation of New Guinea by the British Crown-is- being severely criticised by the Homan Press. They allege that the only results of the researches made by the Italians in New Guinea has been' to stimulate British enterprise, and augment the dafeire of the British colonists to extend the system of colonisation. They consider that Italy should have taken action before this for the purpose ot annexing the island, and they condemn the apathy and inaction of the Italian - Ministry in neglecting to secure such a desirable addition of terri* tory to their country. The projected, departure of Sir Hercules Robinson from Cape colony has been unavoidably delayed. The Home Secretary urges local bodies throughout the .United Kingdomto adopt precautionary measures with a view to preventing dynamite and other explosions in their respective districts. . The statement made by Guy, clerk in the telegraph office, I "Dublin, to the effect that he had been seized, confined, and "questioned by Fenians is regarded with suspicion..,. The. authorities have suspended him pending ah inquiry into the truth of his, story. Prince Alexander of Bulgaria is now on a visit to Constantinople, where he hwt mo l wit £ a " enthusiastic reception. The Fenians oi Canada haVe "publicly announced their inianwm to blow up the residence of the Govcrnvr.General at Ottawa.

. Hostilities have been re-eommoncbd between the French and Anameae in reference to the occupation of, Tonquin. France has despatched reinforcements of troops to the scene. It is probable that China will resist the French troops now in Tonquin, and war between the tiro countries is very probable. An outbreak of plague has taken place in Persia, and is spreading rapidly. Fears are entertained that it will extend to Europe, and the greatest excitement prevails.

The Dragon has been detained at Aden in consequence of a revolt having, broken out amongst the Arabs. > ; t The King of the Netherlands will open the Amsterdam Exhibition on, Ist May. The Prince of Wales has ; intimated that he will be unable to be present at the opening ceremonies. Arrangements in connection with the Victorian and New South Wales Courts have been pushed forward rapidly, and they will be thoroughly completed before the Exhibition is opened. Exhibits from the different countries present a most Imposing appearance. The pyramid representing the quantity of gold obtained in Victoria since the industry was first started, will form a special feature of attraction. The pyramid has been completed with the exception of the gilding, which is now being proceeded with. Messrs McLain, Spensley, and - Levy will represent Victoria. The remaining Courts, with the exception of the . Netherlands, are in a very backward condition, ■and it is hardly possible that thqy will be finished in time for the opening. ‘ , The monument erected at' Westminster Abbey to the memory of the late Lord Beaconsfield, was unveiled yesterday in the presence of a large and distinguished company. ! i

The recent outrages committed by the Fenians have aroused indignation among the Mormons of America, and they have formally declared their abhorrence of the tactics of the Irish agitators. The Government have adopted a code of stringent regulations in relation to the liquor traffic. Tne principal object in view is to restrict the exportation from England of inferior Mauritius rum.

Two hundred students have been expelled from the University of Warsaw. The Oriental Bank has been granted a Charter of Incorporation.