EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1016, 4 December 1883, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

London, Nov. 20. It is reported that the measure which recently passed the French Chamber of Deputies f> r the deportation of criminals to the islands of the Pacific will probably be abandoned. The visit which Baron De Lesseps has made to Liverpool, with the object of conferring with large shipowners upon the question of a prop sad sec md Suez anal, has terminated without any practical result. Karl Detby has decided to refuse the application of certain German owners of property in Fiji who have appealed for compensation for the allged loss of their land. The measure now before the French State for the deportation of criminals to the Pacific has been further considered in Committee. After a prolonged debate, a clause was adopted giving the judges discretionary power to banish criminals. t'he Agents-Genoral of the several Australian colonies had another interview with Earl Derby in reference to the annexation question. It'3 generally considered that his Lordship’s attitude was hss firm than it was previous to the interview, and that he is beginning to display considerable vacilla'ion on the question. The report that 3,000 Chinese troops had attacked the French position at Harkquong, and had been defeated after an engagement lasting for seven hours, proves by later advices to have been unfounded. The statement that a secret treaty has been discovered between China and the B'ack Flags is also said to be without foundation, The French Premier has decided to despatch M. Courneaux on a special mission to the Australian Colonies and New Caledonia. The terrible disaster which has befallen the Egyptian troops in Soudan has caused the greatest excitement throughout Europe. The followers of the t false Prophet (Mahomet El Mahdi) lay in ambush for the Egyptian force, and suddenly surrounded them. It is feared that O’Donovan. the special correspondent of the Daily News, who was with the force, has been ki led. The Times in an at tide this morning upon the disaster, insists that England shall send troops to assist the Khedive in suppressing the rebellion.