EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1052, 19 September 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, Sept. 4. The latest intelligence from Anam is that 15,000 Chinese troops, who were recently reported as having crossed the frontier, are now advancing onKaiphone, one of the French garrisons in Anam.

During the gale which prevailed along the south coast of England on Sunday and Monday, the iron ship Lady Jocelyn, trading between London and New Zealand, suffered considerable damage. She has put into Spithead for repairs. The National Political Journal , published in Paris, expresses a hope that the French war vessels Bruat and the D’Estrdes, which sailed from Noumea recently for New Hebrides, will prevent Australia from annexing those islands. An investigation has been made into the poisoning of a number of laborers who were working in a field near New Rosa, County Wexford. It now appears probable that the poisoning was the result of an accident.

The Marquis of Hartington has expressed his opinion that France has not satisfactory explained the action of Admiral Pierre in detaining; the captain and officers of the English war vessel Dryad at Taraatape. He thinks that farther and fuller explanation should be insisted upon. The severe weather which has recently prevailed in England has destroyed onethird of the hop crops. London, Sept. 9. The Government of Russia has dictated a series of reforms to be introduced into Rouniinia.

General Hicks, the leader of the forces who have for some time past been engaged in a campaign against El the false prophet of Soudan, is now advancing hia troops, with the view of recapturing El Obeid, capital town of Kordovan, Central Africa.

The Anti-European feeling which recently manifested itself amongst the Chinese residents at Canton is rapidly spreading to other towns in China. At Hong Kong the Chinese have assumed a menacing attitude towards the Europeans, and the situation is so alarming that a complete panic prevails in that town. Englishmen at Hong Kong are loud in their expression of indignation at the absence of a Brit sh squadron, as they consider the presence of war vessels is essential to their protection. The Times this morning, in referring to the action of Prance in relation to the New Hebrides, appeals to the French Government to avoid a repetition of the outrages perpetrated by Admiral Pierre at Tamatave.

Edward Hanlon, of Toronto, champion sculler of the world, is impatiently awaiting a reply to his challenge to Elias Laycock, of Sydney, offering to row him for L 2.000 on the Thames. The pretensions of Laycock to compete with Hanlon are generally ridiculed in England.