ENGLISH NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1991, 12 July 1880, Page 3

ENGLISH NEWS.

[By Teleobaph.J [Per Te Anan.] The following special cablegrams are from late files of the Australian papers : LONDON, June 29. The Sunday-school centenary celebration in London wiil occupy the whole of this week. There are taking part in the proceedings 300 churches and dissenting congregations, as also delegates from America, New Zealand, and Australia, representing 12,000,000 children. An informal meeting of colonists and those who have been connected with the various colonies, has been held to consider the relations between Great Britain and her dependencies, with a view to more closely strengthening the bonds of union between all parts of the British Empire, and establishing Imperial unity. Sir J. Vogel presided, and there were also present Mr Blythe of South Australia, Colonel Pasloy (Agent-General for Victoria), Sir Henry Barkly (formerly Governor of Victoria), and several members of Parliament. July 1. The Duke of Manchester, who is about to visit Melbourne in the capacity of Honorary Commissioner to the Melbourne International Exhibition, will leave England by the Orient steamer Sorata, which is appointed to sail on July 21st. Groat excitement has been caused in Paris owing to the expulsion of the Jesuits, Force was used for the purpose, and the military were employed to protect the police. The public expressed sympathy with the Jesuits, aud several senators and deputies who were present protested against the expulsion. The English press generolly condemn the expulsion. July 2. The Irish Convention at Philadelphia has decided to adopt every known means to secure the freedom of Ireland. July 3. France and England are arranging for a naval demonstration should Turkey resist the cession of territory to Greece and Montenegro. The other Powers may join. It is proposed to settle the Montenegrin and Albanian deadlock by giving the former territory from the litoral of the Bojsna river instead of from the Tusi district. The Albanians refuse to abide by this arrangement, and have reinforced Dulcigno. Legal proceedings have been instituted against Mr Bradlaugh for sitting and voting in the House of Commons. This step has been taken with a view to settle the question as to the legality of a member making an affirmation in lieu of taking the oath. July 5. The new wine duties proposed in the Budget speech have been withdrawn. The British cavalry have defeated the Afghans at Tarmatt, and killed 200 of the enemy. Mr Goschen has demanded the dismissal of Abedden Pasha, the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs.

It is understood that Government propose to abandon the measure promised in the Queen’s speech giving farmers and tenants the right to exterminate ground game, such as rabbits. The proposal was one that met with much opposition from the landlord class. June 29. Mr Parnell having been accepted leader of the Home Buie party in Ireland, has taken steps to revive the anti-rent agitation in that country. Public mootings have been held in several of the southern and western counties, and the distress prevailing has given the movement an additional stimulus. A terrible catastrophe is reported from New Tork. The excursion steamer Seawarihaka running between New York and Brooklyn, took fire yesterday, while crowded with passengers. An attempt was made to beach her on Long Island, but without success, and the yesael was burnt to the water’s edge. On the

alarm of fire being given, a panic ensued amongst the passengers, many of whom jumped overboard and were drowned. ' June 30. In the Cape Parliament the action of the Ministry is being challenged on account of the steps taken for the disarmament of the Basutos. The Premier demanded a vote of confidence, which was accorded by the House, the Opposition members abstaining from voting altogether. The Ghilzai tribe are again evincing active hostility. They attacked a convoy conveying ■supplies to the Oabul army and, though beaten off with loss, killed six of the British. Internal disturbances have arisen in Morocco, resulting from a rebellion of the Natives against the Sultan’s authority. An attempt made to suppress the outbreak failed. The troops of the Sultan were defeated, and Muley Hassan himself obliged to fly from the capital. The general rising of the Native population is attributable to the misery and desolation caused by the mismanagement of

the country. There are grave reasons to believe that Turkey is preparing to resist by force of arms any attempt made to compel the cession of territory to Greece and Montenegro, Turkey calculates upon having the support of Russia in assuming an attitude of defiance.

Intelligence has been received concerning the spread of famine in Asia Minor of the most distressing character.

July 1. The populations of Syria and Arabia are much agitated by the aspect of the affairs of the Turkish Empire. Secret societies have been set on foot in both of these districts, with the object of carrying on an agitation for the purpose of securing the autonomy of the provinces.

The Home Rule members have applied to Mr Gladstone to extend the amnesty to the remaining prisoners who were convicted of complicity in the Fenian insurrection, and who have not received the Royal pardon. These consist of soldiers who had been seduced from their military allegiance. The Government have refused to accede to the request. Serious riots have occurred at Newry, in North Ireland, arising from embittered political religious feeling. Portions of the town have been wrecked, and several people have been severely injured. The assistance of the military was called in to quell the disturbance.

July 3. The warlike attitude assumed by Turkey is causing grave alarm, and it is feared will lead to the opening of the whole of the Eastern question. The Sultan, acting on the advice of the Ulemas, is exhibiting a determination to rely on the fanaticism of the Mahometans. Instructions have been given for the mobilisation of the army, and large numbers of discharged soldiers haye been ordered to rejoin their regiments. Grave apprehensions have been excited at Athens in consequence of the hostile attitude assumed by Turkey, owing to Greece insisting upon the recommendations of the Berlin treaty being carried out in reference to the frontier question.

An official intimation has been given to the Saltan that, in the event of warlike demonstrations on the part of Turkey, the Erench and English fleets will protect Greece. This announcement has had a reassuring effect.

Intelligence of the continued advance of Ayoob Khan having been received, British troops have been sent forward to oppose his progress, and have proceeded to Girisha. July 5. A fire broke on Saturday night at the Duke’s Theatre, Holborn, where Paul Merritt’s drama of “New Babylon" has been playing for some time with great success. The flames spread rapidly, and the building was destroyed. Intelligence has been received of a mutiny having broken out amongst the Sepoys at Pondicherry, the capital of the French settlements on the 'Coromandel coast, near Madras. The authorities succeeded in arresting the ringleaders and suppressing the emeute before any lives were lost.

The Commission appointed to enquire into the causes of the Tay Bridge disaster have concluded their investigations, and forwarded their report to the Board of Trade. They attribute the disaster to the defective design of the bridge, the inferiority of the material ■employed in its erection, and the want of proper inspection.