LATE CABLE NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1322, 23 August 1886, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[“ AGE ’* SPECIALS.]

[By telegraph from the Bluff]

London, August 11.

The Bepuhlique Francaise publishes an article relative to the New Hebrides difficulty. After ridiculing the Claims of England in regard to the Islands, the article unreservedly declares that France has forestalled England, and has practically annexed the New Hebrides. The French Government having gone so far will, says the Bepuhlique Francaite , never withdraw the flag which has been hoisted, or the troops who have been landed on the Islands

The proposa 1 to present a testimonial to the Prince of Wales in recognition of bis services as President of the Roy|l Commission to tl a Colonial and Indian Exhibition has not been received with the warmth that was anticipated. The number of su >scribers to the fund is, up to the present, very small. The World, referring ♦o the moviment, predicts that In view of the lukewarmness displayed in connection with it, the Prince of Wales will decline to receive the testimonial. Mr John Palliser has written to the Times urging the Goverament to makeocean soundings belwecn Esqnimalt, on. Vancouver’s Island, and Honolulu, tef <n agreeing to support the scheme for laying a cable from Vancouver’s Island, off the coast cf British Columbia, to Austra'ia. London, August 12.

The Times considers that it is essential that the initiative in the Imperial Federation movement should be taken by the colonies.

The petition for winding up the Queensland Steam Shipping Co. has been dismissed with costa.

Miss Florence Nightmgale and soma other ladies hsve been admitted, member*of the Uobden Club.

The Guardian expresses a hope (hat the report that Dr Kennion is to be offered the vicaragje;of Blactfnxrn, with a view to bis appointment as a coadjutor of the Bishop of Manchester, is unfounded. It considers that the nomination of Dr Kennion as ifcar of Blackburn wojild bs likely to weaken the connection between the Anglican Church in England and the colonies

The Daily News announces that a British protectorate has been established over the El.'ice Islands, a small group on a coral reef surrounding a lagoon la the Pacific Ocean.

Considerable uneasiness has been created by the publication of a report that General Ignatieff, a distinguished Russian diplomatist, has pnb’icly denounced Germany on the ground of her alleged ingratitude. General IgnatiefE stated that the French apa Rpssian forces combined would shortly attack Germany^ August 13. The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post asserts that the declaration made by the Jiejntbliqm Frnncaise is approved in French official circles. . Le Nafionale, In an article on the same subject, advises Australia to abandon the agitation In - connection with the action of France

relative to the New Hebrides. France, Si i& asserted is fully justified in occupying be Islands, and it is 1 a matter of certainty that she will never* withdraw from jhejfp. London, August 14La Liberie, commenting upon the action of the English Government in establishing a protectorate over the Ellice Group, declares that the matter has an important bearing upon the New Hebrides cuspate, because while England continues to extend her possessions In the Pacific she cannot object to France acting In a similar manner. The Journal Official contends that the Franco-German protocol agreed to some months ago affords suffic'ent justification for the annexion of the New Hebrides.

The Provost-Marshall of Mandalay has been publicly reprimanded on account of cruelties which have lately been practised op British subjects in Bnnnah.