EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1471, 23 February 1885, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

(By Telegraph from the Bluff.) (“ Age” Specials ) London, February 11. Mr Bray, ex Premier of South Australia, visited the Colonial Office to-day. He was introduced to Lord Derby by Mt Blythe, the Agent-General for South A ustraiia. Mr Bray has become the guest of Earl Boseberry, at Mentmore, Buckinghamshire.

February 12.

Since the fall of Khartoum and the news of General Gordon’s death, public indignation against the Gladstone Ministry has been freely expressed. Earl Rosebery joins the Ministry as Lord Privy Seal, but Lord Carlingford, whom be succeeds will remain President of the Council. The Times, in announcing Lord Rosebery’s acceptance of office characterises his adhesion to the Gladstone Government when its existence was drawing to a close as patriotic and-unsel-fish. The same journal adds that the offer of asa'stacce to the Mother Country by Australia was opportunely made, -and is hopeful that coupled with the fact of Lord Rosebery’s acceptance of office a stronger foreign and colonial policy will be adopted by the Cabinet. Hon Mr Meade, the'assistant Under Secretary for the colonies, has just returned from Berlin, and is now reporting to the Colonial office the result of his negotiations with (Prince Bismarck relative to German annexation in the Pacific.

The call upon the shareholders of the Oriental Bank is not being freely responded, to. The Standard referring to the liquidation proceedings states that it is doubtful whether the liability of the shareholders is not unlimited.

Germany disavows any intention of annexing Samoa. The Agent-General for New Zealand has made strong representations to the Colonial office as to the designs of Prince Bismarck upon Samoa. London, February 15.

Lord Wolseley has telegraphed to the Imperial Government stating that the report of the messenger who left Khartoum on 2nd inst., and affirms that the place had not then fallen is unreliable. The fall of Khartoum, Lord Wolseley adds, is strongly confirmed ; information to that effect having reached him from various sources. General Gordon is reported to have been shot while going to the Austrian Consulate in the rush made by the rebels. After' General Gordon fell the Austrian Consul was killed. The Consul representing Greece was made a prisoner and remains in keeping of the rebels. London, February 13.

The deadlock continues in reference to negotiations between Germany and England relative to the annexation of Ne.wGuinea. It is inevitable that Lord Derby will surrender to the demands of Prince Bismarck unless the Australian colonies agree to united action in protesting against Germany annexing any portion of the island.

London, February 16,

A letter published to-day in the Daily Telegraph suggests that the women of England should present members of the New South Wales contingent for Soudan with a silver bugle as a special momento of their patriotism. The same writer further suggests that Her Majesty should present a special ensign to the Australian troops. The Times in a leading article on the Gordon relief expedition refers to the despatch of Australian troops to Egypt as a step which has practically effected the military federation of the British Empire. -