ENGLISH NEWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 177, 3 June 1864, Page 3

ENGLISH NEWS.

European affairs are,,,if possible, more complicated than before. Austria, Prussia, and Germany generally, waging an aggressive war against I )emnark, in which the personal bravery of the defendants cannot make up for their serious disproportion in number. Sweden alone appears to be inclined to give practical proof of her sympathy with her neighbor, but has to be cautious how sne proceeds, as Russia is said to be concentrating troops on the Swedish frontier; and from other signs, it would appear that Prussia, Prussia, and Austria are agrqed, as of old, to crush national aspirations in Poland, Hungary, and Italy, and constitutional liberty in Scandinavia. The Emperor of the French is the master of the situation, for a word from him would have restrained the German troops from grossing the Eider. His present policy appears to be coquetry with Austria, as shown in his offering the Empire of Mexico to the Archduke Max. Had be that Mexican business fairly off his hands, he would he ready for a go in with-his friends to rearrange the map of Europe. The Manchester doctrine of no fighting seems to rule England at present, although the kindred policy of non-interference advocated in the same school does not appear to be in favor; so Earl Russell continues to write despatches, bullying the weak, coaxing the strong, and being snubbed by the latter in return, or his advice treated with contempt. The Manchester doctrine of non-interference in its entirety is at least intelligible, which is more than can be said of the policy now being acted by the government of England. In Parliament the Government have been somewhat sharnlv criticised on the Danish question, but hitherto no formal vote has been taken as a test of the feelings of either House on the subject. Earl Russell lias had to admit that the conduct of the German powers was unjustifiable aggression; but the influence that inspired him to write the “ Gotha despatch,” evidently enthralls him at present.

The bursting of the dam of the Bradfield reservoir has caused damage to the amount of p obably half-a-million, and human life to the number of over two hundred. It occurred on the early morn of Saturday, the 12th inst.

The bursting of some the pipes at an iron mine in the same neighborhood has caused the drowning of eighteen persons. Government escaped defeat in the Commons by the narrow majority of one on a motion of Col. Edwards, Member for Beverley; tbe subject was the advisability of calling out the Yeomanry for their annual training. Government having saved die small sum of ,£60,000 by not calling them out; the motion was “ direct enough,” and although the mover is not a leading member, the Government found it necessary to “ whip up,” and thus narrowly escaped defeat. A Government Annuities Bill is likely to pass, although opposedfby parties interested in existing Assurance societies and Benefit societies. The startling fact that 8,000 of these kind of societies have failed within a short period, as stated by Mr. Gladstone, will carry more weight than all the random assertions of those who have a direct pecuniary interest in things existing. Some excitement has been caused about the man Hall, sentenced to death at Warwick, for shooting his wife, under the greatest provocation. Sir G. Grey, who was so easily managed in the Derby affair by Towneley’s friends, refused at first to interfere in this case, but afterwards relented and respited him. Many who consider capital punishment unavoidable and necessary, felt that there were reasons in this case why the criminal ought not to be executed. The King of Bavaria is dead. The young Prince was baptized on the 10th of March, and named Albert Victor Christian Edward. P.S.—The New Zealand chiefs who have been exhibited by Mr. Jenkins were at Birmingham last week, when a lot of presents were offered them from the manufacturers, but someofthemrefusedtoaeceptthem, and it appeared there wasasplitamungthem. Mr. Jem kins made a speech in which lie endeavored to prove that he was a loser by the speculation, but one of the chiefs attempted to reply, saying there was another side to the question.