LATE CABLE NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2403, 17 December 1881, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

I By Tblkgbaph.J [Per s.s. Alhambra, at the Bluff.J [“ ARGUS ” SPKCIALB J LONDOff, December 6, In connection with the inquiry now being prosecuted by the Royal Commission on the defence of the British possessions and commerce abroad, the War Office has decided to despatch Lieutenant-Colonel Grossman of the Royal Engineers to report upon the best means of providing for the defence of colonial harbors. The rumor which has been extensively circulated that Italy and Russia were likely to shortly commence hostilities against Austria is now found to be purely fictitious. In defiance of articles 12 and 26 of the Transvaal Convention, the Boors are endeavouring to ruin the English traders who remain in the country by subjecting them to a species of boycotting similar to that practised in Ireland. Two servants employed at Drykinalt, Lord Hill Trevor’s country residence at Chirk, Devonshire, have been arrested on suspicion of having committed a great jewel robbery. The family jewels which have been abstracted are estimated to be worth £40,000. In consequence of the recent outrage by slavers, the Philomel, has been ordered to blockade the island of Zanzibar. The Dutch Government announces that it has received assurance from Great Britain that she does not contemplate assuming the sovereignity of Borneo. The authorities have discovered that the Irish National Land League are endeavoring to perfect their military organisation. Numbers of their adherents are secretly drilled at midnight in various parts in the country by recognised military chiefs. An attempt has been made to destroy the Court-house at Montreal, one of the principal buildings in the city, by a machine charged with dynamite. The outrage is attributed to American Fenians. The convention of Irish Americans now sitting at Chicago have organised a rebellion fund, amounting to 250,000d015., to be expended in assisting the Irish to obtain their national independence.

When the result of the election for Londonderry became known, the defeated party created a serious disturbance, and pelted the Solicitor-General with stones. Sir W. Wilson, on the other hand, was londly cheered, and was carried to bis hotel on the shoulders of several of hie enthusiastic supporters. In connection with the proposed visit of the Australian Eleven to England next season, matters have been arranged with seventeen county teams, with the Gentlemen of England, the Universities, the Players of England, and an All England Eleven. It is proposed that the Australian Eleven shall receive halt the gate money. Tne promoters in England are awaiting the acceptance of the terms offered.

An anonymous letter has been received from one of the accomplices in the outrage committed at the mausoleum attached to Dunecht House, Aberdeen, in which the writer confessed that he was hired by two men who were strangers to him, to steal the body of the late Earl of Crawford from the family vault, to enable them to learn-the art of embalming. Rear-Admiral Sullivan has been appointed to succeed Earl Cianwilliam in the command of the Detached Squadron. The trial of the man Tobin, who was arrested at Middlasborough on the 4th ult., on suspicion of being connected with a Fenian Lodge at Bradford, Yorkshire, is now proceeding. The evidence shows that Bradford “ Centre ” comprises 250 Fenians. It is understood that if it is the wish of the Zulu people that Oetewayo should return to his native country, the British Government will direct his release from Oude Molom farm, whore ho is at present confined. In consequence of the great increase of outrages in Ireland, the Government are raising a temporary force of 1000 men who have belonged to the army reserve, or have been constabulary recruits. It is proposed to employ the man in patrolling the most disaffected districts at night, with a view of affording p’oteotion to property. The Council of Administration of Russia have expressed themselves satisfied that the Turkish Government can offer them sufficient prospects of ultimately liquidating the war indemnity payable under the treaty of San S .epfhano to justify the abandonment of the scheme for obtaining equivalent territory in Armenia. Mr Bourke, the representative of the Turkish bondholders, has induced the commissioners for the liquidation of the Ottoman debt to eecuro to the bondholders £1,500,000, which is equivalent to about li per cent, interest on the nominal amouut of the public debt. A number of officials connected with tho Imperial Court have been placed on their trial for having neglected to take proper precautions for the safety of the late Emperor Alexander 11.

Money Wigram and Son's, shipowners of Leidenhal! street, have entered into contract.* for the construction of three powerful steamers of 4.000 tone each to be employed in the London and Australian trade. A great fire hag occurred at Minnesota, one one of the chief wheat producing States of the American Union. Four flour mill* and one cotton mill have been completely destroyed, and four men perished in the Aunes. The loss occasioned hr tho flee is estimated at £BO,OOO Sir men have been rescued from the ruins of Calf Roclc Lighthouse Bantry Bay which was destroyed during the gales which prevailed on the Irish (Xaat on November 27tb and 28th,