THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1773, 22 February 1888, Page 2

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

(PER FBEHB ASSOCIATION.)

Bomb, February 18. The Italian Government are making rapid progress with the work of placing the navy on an efficient footing. Great activity is also being displayed m placing the fortifications m order. Lieut.-General Mattel, President of tbe Committee on Fortifications, is now inspecting the Alpine fortresses* Londos, February 18. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Thos. Burt, M.P., asked the Government if Rear-Admiral Hewett had any authority for stating at Genoa that the friendship between England and Italy might result m a union of the fleets of those countries. Lord George Hamilton replied that Rear Admiral Hewett had no such authority, but the Government attached no importance to the Admiral's remarks, considering they were merely expressions of kindly sentiment.

The Government are arranging for the registration of horses available for army purposes m time of war. It is intended to subsidise owners for the use of such animals. Vienna, February 20. It is stated here tnat Russia has j suggested the immediate deposition of Prince Ferdinand as ruler of Bulgaria, To this Austria demurs until such time |at any rate as another ruler is nomin ated. In this view Austria is supported by Italy, but up to the present Prince Bismarck has expressed no opinion on the matter. Btrr»A Pbs.h, February 2Q The '•Pesther Lloyd" -states that England's engagement with Italy and Austria to combine with those powers m the naval defence of the coast of those countries is simply a memorandum, not a supplementary part of the triple treaty.