ADDITIONAL SUEZ MAIL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 688, 11 December 1878, Page 2

ADDITIONAL SUEZ MAIL NEWS

[press agency.] London, October 25. ,lo deference to the public demand, the Metropolitan Board of Works is taking steps to remedy the foul condition of the Thames water near the sewage outfall, which is alleged to have been poisoned by the many bodies from the Princess Alice passengers. The Afghan war excites controversies. The division of troops for Khyber Pass will consist of thirty-five thousand men. Reinforcements have been sent to Quetta, and the principal Sikh chiefs and several princes have offered contingents, which the Viceroy accepts. The Russian envoy, General Skobeloff, returned from Turkestan in the middle of September, accompanied by an Afghan embassy, which proceeded to Lividia, where the Czar is staying. Several members of the Russian mission remain at Cabul. The Ameer’s reply to the Viceroy’s letter is discourteous and unsatisfact°ry, making no excuse for the indignity offered to England by the repulse of the mission, and generally indicating a disposition adverse to a pacific solution. All accounts from the occupied districts of Turkey represent the Russians as attempting to evade the stipulations of the Berlin Treaty. There are 80,000 Russian soldiers south of the Balkans. Russia refuses to surrender the financial administration of Roumelia so long as her troops occupy the province, but promises to hand over any surplus after defraying the expenses of Government, including pay of native militia, police under Russian officers. General Todleben is forming an army of reserve in Bulgaria, with a park of artillery. Instead of demolishing the fortress of Widdin and Rustchuk, they are being armed with cannon. These and similar menacing movements are intended to bring pressure upon the Turkish Government to compel her signature to a supplementary treaty. The Sultan authorises Baker Pasha to employ 20,000 men to complete the defences of Chalaldja;