NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1594, 29 March 1879, Page 3

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

[By Telegraph.] [Via Auckland.j The progress of tho plague has received tlie attention of the English Government. They announced that they will zealously guard the approach of vessels from Eussian ports, although they believe no need of alarm exists. Intercourse with Eussia is virtually prohibited by Germany, Austria, and Roumania, in consequence of the plague, while Italy and Turkey have adopted very stringent quarantine regulations. The latest_ accounts state that Vne plague has increased in Russia since the thaw set in, and there is a general disposition to epidemic in the interior. Strong belief in the fact prevails that spring will witness a serious revival in the intensity of this droadi'ul malady, and that it will take considerable further strides westward. Although the epidemic iu Thessaly has not been ascertained to be the plague, there has been a large mortality in that province from malignant typhus. The idea of an immediate advance on Herat, if even contemplated, has been abandoned, and the troops under Generals Stuart and Biddnlpk had to return from Khelat and Ghilini towards Kandahar. The reason for this retrograde movement is not officially stated, b..t it i 3 generally believed that the war is over. General Roberts in the Kurum Vally and General Browne in the Khyber Pass and Jellalabad appear to be devoting attention to improving and securing their communication. The Afghan winter has fairly set in. The tr-jops are suffering considerable hardships, but maintain capital spirits. The mortality in the camp of the Kandahar column is very great. Accounts con-, tiuue to be received of dissensions among the chief men at Cabul. Deaertions from Yakoob Khan's army continue. The rumors current that Shero AH had died had reference to the Ameer of Bokhara. Sir Eeid Temple returned to Bombay after an absence of 21 months. He was engaged in a scheme for putting on an efficient footing the supply and transport agencies for the Quettah and Kandahar forces. MacPherson, the "Standard" correspondent, was dismissed from General Roberts' camp for adding to a telegram after its countersignature by the General. Other accounts state that the dismissal was owing to an adverse criticism of Boberts' tactics at Piewar. Cetur - Walie Dahomed arrived at Jellalabad, and was received with considerable state. It is believed that important negotiations are proceeding between him and the British. The onward movement is expected soon. Isolated attacks by fanatics continue, but nothing serious.

The Home Government thanked India for the offer of a contingent for the Cape, which is not at present required. Eighty-six persons connected with the Burmese Eoyal Family were assassinated by order of the present King. The British Government rent a strong l'emonstrance. General Grant arrived at Bombay on the 14th inst., and was the guest of the Governor. He ha 3 since proceeded throughout India. A Ltter from Yakoob Khan, dated Cabul, February 20th, was received at Jellalabad. It contains overtures for the renewal of friendly rations with the British. A further letter stages that since the despatch of the former letter, the news was received at Cabul of the death of his father. Yakoob snnt this information on account of his friendship, as his father was an old friend of the British. General Biddulph, rear guard, was attacked by 2000 Aliziii Duramis, but they were repulsed, losing 1500. Our loss was five killed, including one Major, and eleven wounded. Lord Chelmsford's despatch, reporting the defeat by the Zulus stated :—" I have to report a very disastrous engagement on January 22nd between the Zulus and a portion of the troops under my command at Rorke's Drift, which, during sixty-two hours, had been attacked by between 3000 and 1000 Zulus. A.mongst the fallen are Lieutenant Chard, R.E., senior officer, and Captain Broomhead. Three hundred and seventy bodies lay close around the post. The loss of the Zulu* is reckoned at 1000 here alone, but at the camp where the disaster ocenrred tho loss of the enemy is computnd at over 2000. The session of Parliament was reopened without a speech from the throne. The attendance of the Lords was very numerous, but despite the full and brilliant aspect of the House, there was gloom over the proceedings from beginning to end, caused by the news from South Africa. Every allusion to the subject by the speakers during the debate appeared to make a painful impression. Lord Beaconsfield now rose, and reviewed the present position of tho African troops. He announced the measures which it was the intention of the Government to introduce during tho session. He then in unaffected touching terms alluded to the sad event in South Africa, which he described as a great military disaster. He carried with him the sympathy and approval of both sides of the House, when he paid a feeling tribute to tho heroism of the troops dead and living, who had to encounter that disaster. He then summed up ,his review of external affairs by an emphatic declaration that the object for which England had commenced hostilities in Afghanistan had been completely accomplish; d. We were now in possesion of three groat highways between Afghanistan and India. This would make our Indian Empire invulnerable. The Government had recognised the difficulties that had arisen from Bher« Ali's disappearance, but did not think they would prove an insuperable obstacle to a settlement. He made one other important announcement on tho subject. "It is," he stated, "the generally expressed opinion amongst Indian authorities that India ought to bear ultimately all the expense of the present hostilities." The speeches of tho Opposition leaders in both Houses were of a very moderate character. They fully shared the sorrow expressed by the Government at the rnilitary_ disaster, although reserving for future discu-sion the question of the origin of the war in general. Exception was taken to the favorable picture drawn by the Government respecting the results of the Treaty of Berlin" which was stated to be unsatisfied, tho Greek el '.has being particularly adverted to. It was evident also that the question of Turkey's non-execution of the reforms guaranteed by the Anglo- urkish Convention will hereafter form the aubject of sharp criticism by the Opposition.