IMPORTANT EUROPEAN NEWS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1513, 22 March 1887, Page 3

IMPORTANT EUROPEAN NEWS

(Received March 22, 1 p.m.) Albant, March 22 The following is a summary of news by the Ballarat : London, February 18 The centre of political gravity continues to sway between Eastern and Western Europe, being one day Bulgaria, next on the Rhine. Ihe absence of continued panics is merely because speculation and commerce are alike paralysed, m fact there is a growing nightmare which is almost as bad as war. Business is at a standstill, and the brighter prospects which were apparent at the close of the year are clouded oeer by the growing zmpreesjpn that peace cannot long be preserved It is not surprising, therefore, that Austria, like other nations, is rapidly pushing forward warlike preparations bo eg to be m readiness, if necessary, to defend her vital interests. At the pajpe time, ihe tone adopted by M. Katkoff, editor '. of the Moscow " Gazette," warns Germany that there exists a national traditional quarrel between the Russian and German people, as distinct from Courts or Governments, which Is aggravated by commercial jealousies. The gravity of the general situation may be guaged by the war preparation a of all States. A sei ions conspiracy has recently been discovered m St Petersburg, Implicating members of the uppar claese-, as well as State officials, it being stated that several cflicers of the Guards have been arrested

Fears are entertained of a rising m Afghanistan m the spring, Id consequence of which the Ameer is sending additional troops to Candabar and elsewhere

Russia Is reported to be sowing diseen■lon between the Ameer and the Shah of Perils,

Sir DHIon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, is understood to be anxious that the New Hebrides question should b» properly brought before the Imperial Conference. The differences which hare hitherto exuted between Victoria ani New South Wales on this subject, and which have been so detrimental to the settlement of the question bp Franoe and England should, m his opinion, be reconciled, when the matter can be considered fully by all the colonial delegates. These d)fferences constitute the greatest obstacle to a final settlement because unless Jhe colonies, whloh are the parties ehlrfly interested, are agreed upon come plan for effecting a settlement It will certainly be impossible fdr the Imperial Government to arrive at an understanding with France. The colonial delegates should, therefore, lose do opportunity afforded by the Conference to adopt concerted aotion among all the colonies- Sir Dillon Bell entertains a confident hope that If this be the result of their the way may be paved toward a>h amicable settlement of a quee tlpn, which has prevented tbat oordial bond between the Mother Country and the colonies whioh is so much desired by «U> The present moment is understood to present a specially favorable prospect of arrangement because a recent oommunica tion between Sir D. Bell and an eminent French politician shows that a more friendly feeling exists towards the Australian Colonies than the latter seem to suppose, and a strong desire to return to wore cordial relations with them.