NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1479, 12 November 1878, Page 3

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

[Per Arawata, via Bluff.] London, September 27. Shere Ali having received and entertained the envoys from Russia, the Indian Government resolved to despatch an imposing mission to Cabul. After repeated delays the British envoy left Peshawar on the 21st inst. On reaching the mouth of the Kyber ho learnt that the Ameer’s commandant had advanced an outpost to the centre of the Pass, and was prepared to dispute the passage. A party, comprising Maj ,r Garguari, two native princes, and a small escort, advanced to Ali Muschid, and hud a three hours’ conference with the commandant, who threatened an attack if the parry proceeded. Thus insolently rebuffed, the mission returned to Peshawar. But for personal friendship the Afghan commandant declared ho would shoot Major Cirguari. General Sir Neville Chamberlain was recalled, and the mission dissolved. P.ussia in the meantime persists in maintaining a permanent embassy at Cabul. The “ Times” has declared that the Government is fully prepared for the present c i-is. Explanations will he demanded, and military preparations are proceeding vigorously. The frontier policy was deliberately formed, and will bo carried out, whether Bnere Ali is friendly or not. An advance of three columns is ordered, and 8000 men will reinforce the garrison of Quettah, and hold the Bolan Pass ; GOOD will occupy the Cooran Valley, and a third column will penetrate the Kyber Pass. 1 Whether the war is to bo iinmdiate’y commenced or postponed till spring, Canduhar will be occupied. A Constantinople telegram stales that an envoy from Afghanistan arrived, and that he is striving lo induce the Porte to conclude an alliance with Russia. The “Monheur” states that the Porte is endeavoring to effect a confederation or the Asiatic Moslem princes under Shere Ali, and that the envoy has gone from the Sultan lo Cabul on the errand in question. The inquest on the Thames collision was commenced on the 16th, and is still proceeding. The principal witnesses are sailors or passengers on board the Princess Alice. The general drift of their testimony is that the accident was caused by the sudden porting ol her helm by the By well Castle. It came out during the enquiry that the steersman of the Princess Alice at the time of the collision was a man who had volunteered as substitute, and had never steered a pw--Ben"er steamboat before. Nearly <BOO j;er.Ton3 have been accounted for as dead or rescued, but a large number arc still reported missing. Of the 130 saved, fourteen have since died from the shock and the poisonous effects of the Thames water. The expcna. n incurred by the Woolwich parish officials exceeds €I2OO, including the cost of twentynine c( (11ns. Tlio iltuitiou House relief fund approaches £3OOO. The Queen subscribed 100 guineas towards the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the Abercarne mine disaster, and other members of the Royal family contributed smaller amounts. The fund has swollen to £IB,OOO, but fully £30,000 will be needed, as the closing of the mine brings destitution to hundreds of families. Pumping operations (were commenced, but m ike a clow progress owing to obstructions, for the removal of which divers have to bo employed,

The Middle Park racing stud realised 48,195 guineas. Three fine animals were purchased for Australia, At the annual sale of the Duke of Devonshire’s shorthorns at Hilar in- Furness, thirty he«d of cattle realised £20,000. The Queen has approved of Franz Cummer as 1) (T.i-h Consul for New Zealand. Disquieting nows lias been received from the Transvaal, The Zulu police had mutinied and (he K.ffirs assumed the offensive. Colonel Parvus has been appointed commanding officer of the colonial forces, vice Griffiths. The Capo mounted rifles are to bo again incorporated for the protection of Cape Colony. In response to strong appeals for mercy on behalf of Label Grant, condemned to death for stabbing her husband in a drunken quarrel, her sentence has been commuted to imprisonment for life. The death of the King of Burmah is denied. Six hundred Mormon converts recently sailed from Liverpool for America. Nearly half were from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, the remainder being English, Scotch, and Welsh. The death is announced of Colonel Arthur Leslie, late 40th llegimeut, who served in the New Zealand war. The sudden crisis developed in our Indian policy is exciting extraordinary interest, not only here but throughout the Continent, and war against Afghanistan, and possibly against Russia, is deemed inevitable.