LATE CABLE NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2140, 4 January 1881, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Bx Telegraph.] [Per s.s. Te Anau, at the Bluff.] LONDON, December 20. The position of affairs in South Africa is very critical. Notwithstanding the large number of men placed in the field by the Colonial Government, and the temporary successes which marked the outset of the campaign, the situation has become one of great danger. The colonial troops are scattered over an extended area of country, and have been unable to cope with the more numerous force of the enemy. In several recent encounters the rebellious natives have been victorious, and some of the more advanced posts are in jeopardy. The Government at the Cape have become convinced that the suppression of the rebellion is a task beyond the resourses of the colony, and application has been made through his Excellency, the acting Governor, to the British Government fo.- assistance. In view of the disapprobation of the policy which led to the Basuto war it is considered probable that the Cabinet will insist upon attaching conditions to a grant of assistance. December 22. Another crisis in the French Ministry is imminent. M. Ferry (Premier and Minister of Education) and M. Oonstan (Minister of the Interior) have threatened to send in their resignations to President Grevy. Daoember 23. Intelligence received from Persia states that the Russian-Central Asia Expedition organised by General Skobeloff against the Tekko Turkomans, have not yet succeeded in capturing the stronghold of Qeok Tope. The position is one groat of natural strength, and a large body of Turcomans has assembled for its defence. Eight thousand Turcomans of the Merv tribes have joined the others, and the garrison thus reinforced is considered capable of offering a desperate resistance to the Russian forces. The fine collection of rare and Peculiar Japanese plants shown at the Paris Exposition have been given to the Jardin dcs Plantes, where they will be multiplied and distributed among various cultivators free of cost. December 24, Earl Carnarvon last evening delivered an important speech at Runcorn, in which he denounced in strong terms the encouragement given by Mr Bright and other Radical members of the Cabinet to the agrarian agitation in Ireland. He maintained that the Government had incurred serious responsibility in allowing the agitation to reach such dimensions, and attributed the unwillingness of the Government to use coercive measures to the I opposition offered by Mr Bright and those who acted with him. He hold that the views put forward by Mr Bright were inconsistent

With his duty as a Cabinet Minister, and Shan therefore it was incumbent upon him to resign if be wished to give free expression to hie opinions. Two important seizures of arms have been made in Ireland. The authorities are on the alert, and vessels arriving from America and foreign countries are strictly watched. December 25.

Instructions have been given by the Grand Lodge of Orangemen in Ireland to all Orange Lodges throughout the country to check the outrages perpetrated by the Leaguers. It is feared that the effect of the movement will bo to encourage encounters between the Orangemen and the peasantry. December 27.

In Cork, a patrol of soldiers was attacked whilst making its round at night by a number of disaffected persons. Shots were fired, and after a brief struggle, the assailants were beaten off. Subsequent to this affray, a policeman was shot in the street. The murderer has not yet been discovered. It is reported from Natal that the insurgent Boers are committing great outrages on those who are disinclined to join in the insurrection. Several persons have been massacred. The officer commanding the British troops at Middleburg, desirous of communicating with the leaders of the insurgents, despatched a flag of truce, but the party was fired upon by the Boers.

Communications have been taking place between the Powers for the purpose of bringing about a settlement of the disputes between Greece and Turkey in reference to the cession of territory. There has been a general consensus of opinion that the Greek Government should not be allowed to provoke hostilities, and again raise the Eastern question in a most dangerous shape, and the Powers therefore have unanimously resolved, that notwithstanding the refusal of Greece, the matter shall be referred to their arbitration, and that their decision shall bo binding upon both countries.

A strong feeling of animosity prevails throughout Germany against the Jews, arising from jealousy engendered by their absorption of much of the trade of the country. In Berlin especially the hostility has been strongly manifested, and so strong is tho feeling, that a large number of Jews resident there have determined to migrate to other countries.

A terrible accident has occurred in Carolina. A train, while travelling at a rapid pace, caught fire, and before it was discovered and tho train brought to a standstill, passengers were seriously burned. Five died from the effects of injuries received. Trickett has paid a visit to Newcastle, and whilst there he was presented with a purse of gold, in recognition of bis ability as an oarsman. [Per s.s. City of Sydney, at Auckland.] AUCKLAND, January 4. Tho City of Sydney has arrived from Sydney with the outward San Francisco mails. LONDON, December 28. No increase of serious outrages in Ireland, but “ Boycotting " is being developed more extensively. Frequent fights have occurred between Dublin roughs and the soldiers in garrison. The supposed leaders of the Boers rebellion disapprove of the late massacre of troops and disclaim responsibility; hence the release of the soldiers taken prisoners. December 29. Tho jury empannelled to try Parnell and others indicted for conspiracy consists of eight Roman Catholics, three Protestants and one Quaker. Chief Justice May, after reading a statement justifying his language respecting tho traversers when application was made to postpone their trials, withdrew from the Bench, Judge Fitzgerald presides, with Judge Barry as colleague. The Pope has again condemned the Irish outrages. In a conference among the Home Rulers, at Dublin, the course to be pursued by the representatives of that party in the House of Commons when Parliament meets was deliberated upon, and it was decided that Mr Parnell should, acting as leader, move an amendment on the address in reply to the Queen’s speech, condemning Government for the assistance given by the police to the landlords in evicting tenants in Ireland. CAPETOWN, December 10, The Basuto war still drags its slow length along. The colonial forces at Mogeteng are continually skirmishing with the enemy, who appear determined not to fight in the open. On Friday week a successful attack was made on 809 rebels of Tambookie’s by Nesbit, with 180 men killed. One hundred rebels were captured and a quantity of live stock. The casualties on our side were not serious. The official return shows the available forces not engaged or on their way to engage in the suppression of the outbreak aggregates 1236 of European infantry, 7165 European mounted men, 206 Hottentots, 9865 natives, or 16,472 men in all, with ton field pieces and two mortars. No idea can be entertained as to the probable duration of hostilities. The situation of the Transvaal is serious. The Dutch Republicans are clamouring for the restoration of their country. Troops are being concentrated in readiness to suppress any revolt.