EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1537, 11 May 1885, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

(“Age” Special.) (Bt Telegraph prom the Bluff. ) London, April 27, noon. A French squadron has arrived at Alexandria. Its presence is regarded as a menace to Egypt The greatest enthusiasm prevails'in.. England over the prospect of war with Russia- It is not considered probable that war wili be immediately declared. . ~ London, April 30. The Russian authorities have deter-, mined upon mobilising their army, and the necessary orders have already been issued. It is expected that the British ultimatum will be despatched t? ’Russia in the course of the next few days. The Great Powers are endeavorlngto have the Baltic declared a neutral sea in in the event of war between Great Britain and Russia. The Standard this morning announces that the Emperor of Russia has sum-, moned a meeting of the Grand Oonnoil of the Empire t” consider a proposal from the British Government to refer to arbl- ' t rat ion the subject of the occupation of Penjdeh by the Russians. The acceptance of the proposal by the Grand Connoil is considered very improbable London, May 3. * . It is believed that a secret treaty has . been concluded between England and.. Turkey.

Suakim, May 1.

The New South Wales infantry returned to-day from Otao to Handadb, and will proceed to Snakim to morrow. Private Robert Weir, of the New South Wales infantry, died at Suakim on Friday last of dysentery.

Batavia., May 2. The ironclad steamer Mininis the only Russian warship at present in the port. She has been disabled, and will require to be docked for repairs before she can again - proceed to sea.

London, May 6. Notwithstanding an arrangement with Russia to submit the Afgnan frontier question to arbitration, British preparations for war are being vigorously proceeded with.

The Russian outposSs at Bulficar on the Herirud river to the west, and towards Meruohak on the Murghaub river to the east, will probably be evacuated while the proposed Oonynission is engaged examining the details of the new Rosso-Afghan frontier line. It is believed that Penjdeh will be allotted to Russia, and.Buliioar and Meruohak to Afghanistan.