BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 839, 17 May 1878, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

(Bv Cable.)

(From our Dunedin Exchanges.) London, May 2. The captain of the Chimborazo (!) says he believes bis men were destined to man Russian cruisers in the Pacific. April 30. The area of the Lancashire strike is extending. A mill owner has been mobbed at Preston. The weavers propose a mixed board of arbitrators under the presidency of the Bishop of Manchester (t)r Fraser), which the -employes refuse to agree to. Paril, May 1, The Exhibition was opened to-day by the Marshal-President with great ccldt. The opening ceremony was very imposing. Representative were present from all nations and several British colonies. The attendance was very large, although it was raining. The interior presented a grand spectacle. The Exhibition suroasscs that of ISGfi. The Colonial Courts arc well filled, and excite much admiration of the progress and the multiplicity of the resources of the colonies. The show of wools is very good. The Prince of Wales will present the Colonial Commissioner to Marshal MacMahon. Paris is crowded with visitors from all parts of the world, and the streets are crowded. London, May 3. _ England assents to the Austrian occupation of Bosnia ami Herzegovina Austria refuses Russian advances, and acts separately. Mr Cross, at Preston, re-affirmed England’s policy of protecting her interests and honour. Working men mobbed the Burnley Unionists, and assailed the Blackburn Committee, for refusing relief during the strike to non-Unionists. Two thousand men on the North British Railway struck against an increase of working hours from 51 to 54 per week. The Duke of Connaught’s betrothal to Princess Louisa takes place on May 9. St. Petersburg, May 3. It is semi-officially stated here that the principle of direct communications between London and St. Petersburg have boon adopted. It is expcctol that Russia will issue letters of marque to the United States in the event of war. London, May 4. The Home Secretary, on the 2nd instant, in a speech at Madras, said that Eng’and was hound to exhaust every effort for the maintenance of peace before entering upon war, but she insists that existing treaties cannot be annulled at the will of a tingle Power. Count Bebanoff has been appointed Russian Ambassador at Constantinople. Sir Gathorne Hardy has been gazetted Viscount Cangrook St. Petersburg, May 7. The desire for peace is increasing. General Todleheu shortly retires to live at Tcbniahliva. Washington, Mav 3. Fenian agents are active in the United States. Athens, May 7. Clannish insurrectionary movements in Thessaly and Macedonia haveceasod through British mediation. Constantinople, May 7. The Russians offer to retire in a straight lino of demarcation with Adrianople if the British ironclad squadron are withdrawn. The insurrectionary movements in Roumclia increases.

May 6. Servia is increasing her armaments. The President of the Ottoman Connell of State declares that Turkey will observe neutrality (in case of war between England and Russia?)

The Russians have occupied Privadi, and thus cut of! all communication between Varna and Shumla, which town and Batoum they ar« urging the Turkish Government to surrender.

May 7. The Russians offer to retire within a str.aightline from Bedeagbatch to Adriannplc if the British squadron is withdrawn from the Sea of Marmora.

May 8. The Russians have removed their depots to Tchat.alji.

May 9. The Turks have only partially evacuated Shumla because Russia has only withdrawn her forces from Sin Stefano to San Georges.

London, May 7. Count Schouvaled', the Russian Ambassador at London, has gone to St. Petersburg on an important mission.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply’ to a question, said that active negotiations with Russia were now proceeding. Under these circumstances discussions would be injurious. He said that the British Government had for some time previously resolved to employ an Indian expeditionary force, but had not thought it necessary to inform tho House thereof. The principal differences between Russia and England have regard to Batnnm and Bulgaria. Russian troops are marching on Batonm. May t). Negotiations between the Cabinets of St. Petersburg and Loudon are more active, and the h»pes of a favourable issue are increasing. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking at Oxford, said he hoped we had now approached the end of the difficulty. May 8. At the banquet in bis honour, Sir W. Jervois in Ins speech urged the extension of the railway system ns the surest guarantee of Colonial Federation. The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Sir M, Hicks-Beach), who was present, made the announcement that the Queen has promoted Sir W. Jervois to be a Knight of the Grand Cross of St. Michael and St. George. May 2nd to Bth. The mails via Brindisi 'have been delivered. The Times has a telegram from America stating that tho Fenians have offered to equip 6000 men for Russian service. An Irish raid is threatened on Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Washington, May 3. It is reported that the St. Petersburg Council, under the presidency of the Czar, Ims adopted a conciliatory decision for the renewal of Congress negotiations. Major-General Sir I’. H. Goldsmid, one of the Liberal members for Reading, was killed by a railway accident at Waterloo station.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid a visit to the Victorian log-hut at the Paris Exhibition, tasted and approved of the Victorian wines, and expressed their deep interest in the advancement of the Colonies.

The relations between "Russia and Turkey are estranged, owing to the refusal of the latter to evacuate Batoum, Shumla, and Varna. All that Russia evacuates is Adriano pie. The military positions of the Turkish insurgents grow stronger daily, while the Sultan’s position is very precarious. The Palace intrigues continue, and it is feared that a revolution at Stamboul would precipitate a collision between the British and the Russians.

Baker Pasha declares that if Russia attempts to seize Stamboul the Turks will resist ; End that 80,01)0 men now occupy the hues of defence round the capital. The American journals urge a vigorous vigilance by the Union to prevent any violation of her declared neutrality. The arrival in America of other vessels from the Baltic is reported. The Chancellor of the Exchequer defends the employment of the Indian contingent as a necessary Executive measure. The visit of the Russian Ambassador at London to St. Peteisburg is construed favourably. Ho takes the definite proposals of the British Government before entering the Congress. England wishes to remove all chances of misunderstanding as to the principal provisions of the treaty of San Stefano. The negotiations now ponding refer mainly to the limits of the now State of Bulgaria, and the cession of Armenia England and France strongly objt ct to the extension of Bulgaria to the vEgeau Sea. Hopeful views prevail on the Continent that Russia will make the nquired concession before the Congress meets. It is reported that the basis of an agreement has been submitted to the English Cabinet on behalf of the Czar, who personally declared that Servia had refused to join Russia in any war. rheinsiii'geutsin the Balkan provinces are 30,000 strong, and are gaining ground. The lockout in Lancashire is extensive. The two thousand guineas race was won by Pilgrimage, with lusulaire second, and Sefton third.