LATE CABLE NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1981, 30 June 1880, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Bt Tblegbaph.J [Per o.s. Arawata, at the Bluff.] LONDON, June 14. In view of a renewal of the angry eoene on O’Donnell’a amended question as to the propriety of the reception of the French Ambassador, intense anxiety was displayed by the House of Commons as to the action Government would take in the matter. O’Donnell, who is a Roman Catholic, alleges that M. Leon Say plundered a' convent, and ordered the massacre by the troops at Lyons during the period of the commune. All parties censure O’Donnell’s ill-considered proceedings, but the press condemns Mr Gladstone’s haste in attempting to prevent O’Donnell’s motion as threatening the right of private members. It is considered, however, that Mr Gladstone’s prompt action shows a determination to suppress obstruction. June 16. It is stated that the whole staff of the French Embassy has resigned consequent on M. Leon Say’s appointment as Ambassador from France to London. Mr Gladstone at the last moment was compelled to revise the wine tariff in order to secure the French treaty. The “ Daily News ” states that the Chinese are preventing Russian subjects from entering China. M. Sirid, Minister for Agriculture and Commerce, speaking in the French Senate, denied that there was any engagement with England to enter into a fresh commercial treaty. He referred to Mr Gladstone’s proposal as being contrary to French interests. June 17. An influential deputation of gentlemen interested in the affairs of South Africa, waited to-day upon the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and urged that Sir B. Frere should not be removed from his present position of Governor-General of the Cape. Arrangements are being made in the United States for holding an International Wool Ex-hibition,-at which all the great wool producing countries in the world would bo invited to compete. It is announced that the exhibition will be held in Philadelphia, and within the course of a few months. The committee appointed by the French Chamber of Deputies to enquire into the complaints made concerning the cruelties practised by the prison management at the convict settlement of New Caledonia has held several sittings. Many of the witnesses depose that the most cruel acts of torture have been inflicted by the officials on prisoners The press demands a thorough investigation. June 18. The Agents-General of the several Australian colonies intend to meet to discuss the wine duties, and it is expected that they will express a favorable opinion in regard to the proposals. O’Donnell’s amendment of the question as to the new French Ambassador in London, led to a wrangle with the Speaker, who had altered it. The Speaker threatened O’Donnell, who suddenly left the House amid ironical cheers without putting his questions. June 19. Mr Gladstone has approved of the principle of local option in regard to licensing publichouses, but has objected to the details whereby it is intended to bring the principle into .operation. A recent despatch shows that SirH.Layard, when Ambassador at the Porte, even threatened the Sultan, and stated that in order to secure reforms and good government in Turkey the Great Powers must be prepared to go further than menace. The Albanians have issued a circular directed to the Powers protesting against the cession of Jauina and other places to Montenegro, and declaring that rather than submit they will perish with their wives and families. The action taken by Mr Gladstone’s Government in threatening to employ material force to compel Turkey to carry out her engagements under the Treaty of Berlin, is considered likely to lead to grave complications. While France and Italy support the steps taken by England, Germany and Austria are averse to coercive measures being pushed to extremity. June 21. The “Daily News” states that the rising against the Russians by tribes in Central Asia is spreading. At the annual dinner of the newspaper press fund the Duke of Manchester, who presided, warmly eulogised the press of the colonies, and in speaking of the progress it had made, made special reference to Australia. Sir G. Duffy in proposing “ The Houses of Parliament,” instanced the jnumerous pressmen who occupied leading political positions at the Antipodes. General Wolseley referred in complimentary terms to the special assistance rendered by the press in time of war, and urged strongly the necessity for military reform at Home, where the press was needed to counteract the obstructive element. _ There has been intense excitement in Italy over the municipal elections, held last week. In Romo the clericals wore triumphant throughout. The result is declared by the Italian national press as of ominous import to the future integrity of the kingdom.