EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1039, 4 September 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

- London, August 22. * A deputation, consisting of the Agents - Generals, t of the various Australasian colonies, waited yesterday upon Sir Evelyn Ashley, for the purpose of again urging upon the Government the importance of taking immediate action’ in reference to the proposal for annexing New Guinea and New Hebrides. The deputation said that they desired a distinct statement as to what course the Govern-

ment intended-to adopt Sir Evelyn Ashley, in reply, stated that the Government were not prepared to carry out the annexation scheme at present They felt disinclined to extend their colonial possessions in the direction indicated, and preferred to increase the number of cruisers now stationed in the Pacific for the protection of the colonies. The House of Commons last night discussed the amendments which had been made in the English and Scotch Tenants Compensation Bill by the House of Lords. The whole amendments were ultimately rejected. Sales of Victorian hops have been effected in the London market, the prices realised being LlO 15s. A small quantity has been re-shipped. Intelligence from Anam shows that severe fighting has recently taken place there between the French forces and the native troops The French having secured the town of Haidgunong without much difficulty, despatched a force of 1,600 men to pursue the enemy, who had retreated from the vicinity of the town. The Anamites, however, rallied, and a desperate encounter ensued, the French troops being ultimately repulsed with considerable loss. General Bonnet, Commander of the French, was compelled to retire to Hanoi, whither he was closely pursued by the .Anamitjes. It is stated that the French troops now in Anam are quite inadequate to cope with the enemy. Lord Derby has refused to grant »a order, for the release of Cresswell, who is confined in the Paramatta Lunatic Asylum, and who is alleged to be Arthur Orton, of Tichborne celebrity. The Delta of the Nile is inundated. The new shares recently issued in London by the Commercial Bank of Australia have been fully subscribed. The action of the French in Anam has engendered a feeling of hostility in the minds of the Chinese against-all Euro peans, and serious disturbances have obnaequently taken place in Canton. Affairs in that city wear such a grave aspect that the Imperial Government have despatched an English man-of-war to Hong Kong for the protection, of European residents./ The relations between Germany and France are daily becoming more critical. The French are now mobilising an army corps on the Eastern frontier. Th« tniflsot, the Rev.Shaw.agentfbr the London > Missionary Society, before the French court. martial at Tamatave, has been concluded. The' accused was charged with holding communication with the Hovas contrary to the martial law proclaimed in Tamatave by Admiral J

Pierre. The Court found the prisenei “ Not Guilty,” and he was discharged. ' London, August 27. Mr Ashmead Bartlett, member for Eye, has determined to take the opinion of the , House of Commons regarding the suggestion recently made by the Standard, to the effect that in place of federation the colonies should adopt a commercial union similar to the German Zollverein. He has accordingly given notice of his intention to move—“ That it is desirable to establish a commercial union in the colonies, as a preliminary step to the nltinfSte federation of the Empire. ” Cetewayo, the Zulu Chief, repudiates the idea that he is in any vsyi under British rule. .-a It is now estimated that the yield'of wheat in England for the preserit yejfir will be 86,000,000 quarters. The yfehf f&r*lrelaud is estimated at GOO.QPOqaartetW. | London The feeling of hostility entertained by China against France is becoming more marked. China is now ’eoooangam*a guerilla warfare against troops at Tonquin. The heavy floods which have recently taken place at Hanoi prevent the French from carrying! Unsay further operations in that port.Tha nego tiationa which were entered into I*between 1 *between the two patties immediately after the bombardment of Hue, the Anamite capital, have resulted in the subidistrofrof Phudac, King of Anam. His capitulation is, however, not endorsed by his fol-

lowers, who have broken out inoopen?!C& hellion against his authority. . v „ ..