EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 967, 12 June 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, May 31. - The Standard this morning contains an article upon the annexation of New Guinea, and, referring to Lord ‘ Derby’s refusal to ratify the action of Queensland, urges the British Government to annex the s mch-eastarn portion of the island. Last night thej House of Commons voted Baron Alcester L 25.000, and General Lord Wolselejr LSO.OOO in recognition of the brilliant services rendered by them during the Egyptian war. The determination :of the Egyptian authorities to introduce manhood suffrage into that country has caused a , feeling of great dissatisfaction amongst many sections of people. The peasantry declare that the system is not what they require, and that they will not avail themselves of it.

The wheat crops throughout India and Russia are looking well, arid there is every prospect of a bountiful harvest. The manifesto issued by the Czar; immediately after his coronation has caused the greatest indignation in St Petersburg, as it makes no reference to any intended social reform?. Secret indignation meetings have been held, and the utmost excitement prevails. ’ ; Several riots have taken place, and the police.have made over a hundred arrests.

Four ironclads which; were ordered some time ago by the Chinese Government have now been by a German shipbuilding firm, at -Kiel, a town in the province of Schleswig-Hol-stein. They left for China yesterday. The Government have' decided to entrust the negotiations connected with the proposed renewal of diplomatic relations between England and Mexico to Mr Frederick St. John, the British Minister to the Republics ot Central America. _ The Porte has opened negotiations #ith' Russia with a view to est vblishing with that country an alliance against England. The ground upon which the proposition is based is that the English Government,’in their recent action as regards Egypt, has entered upon a policy of aggression which necessitates a check from other powers interested.

The Duke of Connaught, who has been appointed commander of the troops stationed at Meerut, in the Bengal Presidency, will assume office in November. The decision of the New South .Wales Government to inscribe their loan has caused considerable discussion in the financial circles of Londoji. The present time is generally recognised as inopportune for inscription. The Times, in a discussion on the situation in Armenia in an article yesterday morning, announced that the Russian Government laid claim to the uncontrolled disposition of Armenian affairs. During the recent bombardment of Majuna, in Madagascar, byjthe French, considerable destruction of English / -and American property took place. The vigorous attacks made by the French have compelled the Hovas to retire into the interior. French gunboats are hourly expected at Tamatave, a seaport town on the east coast, and a large native force is being massei at that place to prevent the landing of troops. The Malagasya have despatched an embassy to L mdon with the view of inducing the English Government to intercede with France ion behalf .of, Madagascar. In an'-article this morning the Daily News urges that in view of the-victory obtained by Victoria over Bligh’s English Eleven, a team from the colony should visit England during the present season. 1 Londox, June 4.

Inconsequence of the recent riots which have taken place between Turks and Christians in Erzeroum, the principal city in Armenia, the German Government have formally demanded from the Porte the appointment of Christian Governors for the town.

The vacancy caused by the death of late Lord Daasy, one of the Lords Justices of Appeal in the Supreme Court of Ireland, has been filled by the appointment of the Eight Hon. C. E. Barry, one of the Judges of the Queen’s Bench, Ireland. Mr Murphy, who assisted in conducting the Grown prosecution of the cases of the Phoenix Park murderers, has been appointed Judge of the Queen’s Bench Division.

Eicciotti Garibaldi, who was a Candida e for the representation of Eome in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, has been defeated.

Archbishop Croke is ignoring the injunctions of the Pope in connection with the suppression of outrages. Prince Bismarck, who recently threatened to abolish the German Reichstag, unless certain reforms on behalf of the Socialists were adopted, has now consented to modify the extent of his demands, and a compromise will probably be effected. London, June 5. The Standard this morning publishes an article upon the Governors of the Australian colonies, and expresses; the opinion that the Duke of Albany, who was recently reported to have received the offer of the position of Governor-General of Canada, is eminently suited for the Governorship of Victoria, and recommends that he should be appointed as successor" of the Marquis of Normanby. The Standard this morning, discussing the existing relations between the Vatican and Roman Catholic clergy, states that the Pope has forwarded an official summons to Roman Catholic Archbish »ps in America, commanding them to wait upm hia Holiness, in connection with the recent policy of the Irish agitators. A Free Soil League is being formed in the United .'tates. • . Considerable excitement was Created" in ' Gloucester yesterday by the discovery of the dead bodies of seven infants under circumstances which aroused suspicion that- wilful murder had been committed. A woman, who appears to have acted as wet nurse for some children, has been arrested on the charge of murder.

Encouraged by the success which attended his coronation at Moscow, the Czar ;had made preparations for a triumphal entry into St. Petersburg. Later events have however induced him to forego his original intention.

.la spite of threats which have been made against him by Irish agitators, James Carey, the principal informer in the Phoenix Park prosecutions, has announced his intention of offering himself as a candidate for a seat in the Corporation of Dublin, from which office he was repently expelled. ,In view of the agitation to which the municipal contest might give rise,. Government insist upon Carey . leaving the British Isles as soon as may be convenient to the authorities.

' The Turkish Government has resolved to increase the allowance originally fixed for Arabi and his companions who were transported to Ceylon.: