CABLE NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 117, 19 March 1885, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

♦ w Special to Star." fBEtrTER's TKLKGBAMB.I London, March 17. In a speech before the Colonial Institute laul evening Sir Frederick Broome, Governor of West Australia, srtongly urged the development of that colony. The Prince of Wales, presiding ever the meeting, made a speech in which he said that the offers of troops for the Soudan were proof of the loyal attachment of the colonies to the Crown. His royal Highness added that thoueh unable to visit Australia, he bad the livliest interest in its welfare. Mr Murray Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, delivered an address en federation at Cambridge on Saturday. Prince Albert Victor attended, and Mr W. E. Forster made a powerful speech. At the conclusion of Mr Smith's address a branch ot the Federation League was formed. Special services have been held in all the cathedrals in coanection with the death of General Gordon. The British Government in issuing their ultimatum to Russia, forbidding any further advance towards the Afghan frontier, acted upon the advice of Sir Peter Lumsa'en, Afghan Frontier Commissioner. Russia has declined to retire from any positions occupied by her troops, but disclaims all intentions of encroaching upon Afghanistan. It is expected that a peaceful settlement of the difficulty will be effected. It is rumoured that Mr Gladstone will retire from office when the present difficulty with the Russian Government has been settled. It is probable that the War Department will purchase 25,000 carcases of frozen sheep in New Zealand, to be delivered at Suakim in lots as required for the troops. Received March 19, 1 a.m. Lonuon, March 17. Arrived, at Plymouth, the I*. and O. steamship Ballarat, from Melbourne, January 29th. ■ March. lß. It is stated that tbe German (government haii offered its services with a view of bringing about an amicable settlement in the Franco-Chinese difficulty.