LATE CABLE NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2410, 26 December 1881, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[By Tblbobaph.J [Per s.s. Ringarooma, at the Bluff.] 1" ARGUS ” SPECIALS] LONDON, December 15. M. Roustan, the French Minister resident at Tunis, has prosecuted M. Rochefort, the editor of the "Intransigent,” an extreme Radical journal published in Paris, for libel, having falsely accused him in the columns of his paper of having promoted the outbreak of hostilities in North Africa from a corrupt desire to benefit his speculations on the Bourse in Tunisian bonds. The trial lasted for three days, and was watched with extraordinary interest. The trial, however, resulted in the acquittal of Rochefort, VI hen the decision was announced the spectators in the Court applauded loudly. Profound sensation has been created, not only in the capital, but throughout France. Roustan has been condemned to pay the costs in the action. Tie British Government are negotiating with the United States, Germany ana France tbo three Powers primarily interested in the South seas—for the creation of on International Court for the ooutrol of the Western PaoiJo, Pending the conclusion of such an arrargement the Admiralty will take additional precautions for the protection of British subjects and for maintaining a more watchful supervision over the mutual relations of the wbiti and native races in the Pacific. Compliance with the undertaking was given in the Home of Oommons some months ago by Mr Trewllyn, the secretary to the Admiralty. Comnunioations have been exchanged between the British and French Governments with respect to the annexation by the latter of Eaiatea, one of the Society Islands. The Freneh Government express a desire to retain posseision of the land in order that the prestige of the Republic in the South Seas may not suffer. The British Government reply that if they recognise the treaty under which the island has been ceded to France, care must be taken to eeoure not only that the interests of British trade are protected, but that the pledges given to the natives of the group are respected. The representative of twenty British cable companies have waited upon Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and requested that the Government would take steps to protect ocean cables from careless and wilful interference. It is rumoured that George Errington, the member for County Longford, who is visiting Rome, has been entrusted with a mission by the British Government to the Vatican. Vaughan, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford, has stated that Errington holds confidential instructions from the Government, although not an accredited Minister.