LATEST CABLE NEWS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 986, 11 March 1881, Page 3

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN, <From Exchanges.) London, February 28th. The House now have the Estimates of Expenditure under consideration, and the Irish members are blocking the passage of the different votes. Tho Government have consequently demanded that consideration of supply should be declared “ urgent,” and that the same should be done in the case of the B ll to restrict the sale and possession of arras in Ireland, now before the House. March 2nd. In the House of Commons last night the Irish Arms Kll was read a first dm and the measure was voted “ urgent," m order to give the Speaker power to suppress oh, struction in its pasaate through the House. With a similar object, consideration of Supply was also declared “ urgent ” In the House of Louis to-oay the Irish Coercion Bill was read a third time and passed. The Land League has issued a manifesto, expressing its defiance of the Irish Coercion Act. March 3rd. The Irish Coercion Bill has received the Queen’s assent, and has become law. Outrageous scenes again occurred in the House of Commons, owing to the obstruct ive tactics of the Irish members, several »f whom made vehementand exebed speeches. Mr Healy, member for Wexford, who was one of the most violent obstructors, was, by the Speaker’s ordm, suspended for the remainder of the sitting and had to leave the House. Mr Dillon, memlier tor Tipperary, made an inflammatory speech on Irish affairs, in which he upheld the cans.of the tenants, and justified their actions in shooting landlords who caused their evictmn or refused to accept redactions in their rents. It is announced that the Eight Hon, H. Chillers, Secretary of State for War, will shortly propose in the House of Commons that a considerable increase should. be made in the regular forces of the British army, and that with this object recruits of the age of nineteen should be accepted for service with the colours. It is further known that Mr Childers will at the same time propose several reforms in the organi sation of the army. Washington, March sth. In his inaugural message to Congress on assuming office, Presi lent Garfield referred te the projected Panama Canal, and in the course of hia remarks maintained that it should alone be under the supreme control of the United States. Naples, March 7th. A severe earthquake has occurred in the island of Ishkia, situated off the Bay of Naples, and great destrnctio i to property and loss of life has been cause 1. F illv 10J persons have perishe lin the ruins of their houses and other buildings. London, March 7th. Notwithstanding; the powers vested in the Viceroy by the Coercion Act, the Land League continues an active agitation, and several meetings under its auspices were held yesterday in Ireland. New-s has como to hand to day that an agrarian murder of a dastardly character has been committed in the County of Westmeath. THE WAR AT THE CAPE. Capetown, February 2Sth, Additional intelligence from Natal regarding the disasters at Spitskop has been received. The B-rers are stated to h.v-re hart large stores of ammunition, with which they were able to maintain their attack without intermission, and they stormed the position of the British splendidly during the temporary contusion which arose in the r.ai ks of the latter. They had previously prepared to nut off the British retreat, dming which they inflicted further loss on our tro-.ps, and prevented many from escaping. March Ist. An ofiHal report of the battle at Spitskop gives the following figures of casualties, on the side of the British Officers : Kille I, 3 ; wounded. 9 ; taken prisoners, 7. Rank ami File: Killed, 82; wounded, 220; and 250 taken prisoners. London, February 28th. It is announced that three inure regiments are under orders for Natal to reinforce the British troops in the Transvaal, am further that Sir Freleiick Roberts will at once proceed to Natal to succeed the late Sir George Pomeroy Colley in command of the forces operating against the Boers. March Ist. It is announced that, in ad lidon to the three regiments wiiicli yesterday received orders to proceed to the Transvaal, further reinforcements, comprising three more regiments, of infantry, a battery of artillery, and a detachment of cavalry, will also be despatched without delay for service against the Boers. Capetown, March Ist. Intelligence has been received that the proposals of peace made to the Haautoa by the commander of the Colonial forces have remained unanswered, and that the armistice has accordingly ceased. No further operations can be proceeded with in consequence of the heavy rains, I. on don, March 5 th. Government have received information from the President of the Orange Free State regarding the overtures which he made at the request of the late Sir George Pomeroy Colley to the Transvaal Boers for a cessation of hostilities with tho British. Dr Brand announces that the leaders of the Boer Republic, in rep y to hj s commuuica tions, state that they are willing to conclude peace provided that the terms are consistent with their demand for freedom and independence. Capetown, March 7th. Intelligence has Been receive! he-e from Natal that heavy floods in the Transva.il will prevent any operations by the British troops or Boers in.that,country.