LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2978, 11 January 1881, Page 2

LONDON.

[ January 2. A movement has been commenced in favor of obtaining the independence of the Transvaal in South Africa, and a petition is being extensively signed by the Dutch residents in South Africa praying the British Government to relinquish the possession of that portion of the territory of South Africa, and declare it an independent state. The agitation in favor of the course is spreading and is being taken up in earnest by the Dutch. Sm

Captain Burnaby, whose celebrated ride to Khiva has rendered his name famous, entertained Captain Boycott at a splendid fete in recognition of the manly and fearless stand he made against the demands of the Irish Land Leaguers. The fefe was '; largely attended, and was a brilliant affair.

The Imperial revenue returns show a satisfactory increase in the receipts. The estimated increase for the past nin« months over the expenditure wai ' £2,000,000.

Advices have been received of an engagement between the colonial troops at the Cape and a large force of Tambookies the allies of the Basuto3, in which the colonials achieved a complete victory. The enemy was repulsed with a loss of 80 killed. The colonial troops captured 1300 head of cattle belonging to the rebels. The Pondos are reported quiet. Latest accounts from Ireland report all quiet in Dublin, but at Drogheda, on the river Boyne, a meeting of the Land Leaguers was dispersed. It is rumored that the Government intend to suspend the Habeas Oorpu3 Act in Ireland.

Intelligence has been received from the Cape to the effect that the Boers have proclaimed their independence, and have elected a triumvirate to administer the affairs of the Government. The Dutch forces that occupied Utrecht quietly abandoned the town. There is considerable excitement in Natal owing to the revolutionary proceedings of the Boers,

January 3

Another murder has been committed in Cork, which is said to be traceable to fenian influence. The murderer has not been arrested.

Tumultuous proceedings have taken place io Kanturk, County Limerick, and at Tuam, in Galway. The populace of those towns are in an excited state, and serious collisions have occurred between the police and the Leaguers. It has transpired that emissaries of tbe rebellious Boers have been despatched to the Orange Free States with the object or influencing the native tribes and Dutch residents there against the British authority in the Transvaal. The inhabitants of the free states evidence a strong disposition to join and assist the Boers in their efforts to obtain independence, and tho tribes assume a threatening aspect.

Considerable excitement was created by the intelligence becoming known that a great roll-up of the Laad Leaguers had taken place at Loughrea, a town in County Galway, yesterday. Fully 30,000 were present, and the daily increase of numbers is estimated at 600. The course they intend to take is watched with anxiety.

A Fenian scare has been occasioned at Liverpool, and the volunteers have been placed under arms. The forthcoming match for the world's Bculling championship, which takes place on the 17th instant between Laycock and Hanlan, is exciting great interest in sporting circles. Hanlon is a strong favorite.. Laycock has shortened his sculls, and the alteration suits his style of sculling. Hanlan is improving in condition, and in bis exercises and practises. Some of Laycock's admirers regard him as superior to Trickett. Wallace Ross, the American sculler, has gone to Dublin. The strained feeling between Turkey and Greece continues, and is a cause of uneasiness in Europe, and is occupying the serious attention of the various European Governments. The Great Powers, with the exception of Germany, remain steadfast in their desire to bring about a settlement of the dispute by means of arbitration.

The unfriendly feeling between the Vatican and France over the expulsion of the religious orders has been modified, and official relations between the Pope and the French Government have been renewed. A considerable amount of diplomacy has taken place, and the result is that, a better understanding has been arrived at. The Pope's legate remains at Paris.

The trial of the Land Leaguers, which is proceeding, is absorbing public attention. The Attorney-General quoted from the speech delivered by Mr O'Sbaugnessy, and the shorthand reporters have sworn to the utterances of xVlessrs Sullivan and Biggar.

Mr Louis Blanquin, tbe celebrated Communist, is dead. He was poisoned.

[Bbuter's Sfeciai, to Teleqbaph.J