LATE ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1104, 14 April 1880, Page 2

LATE ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

♦ By the arrival of the Albion we are enabled to publish the foliowiug cablegrams, dated London March 30, which appear in the Australian papers : THE ELECTIONS. Lord Derby has publicly declared his views and wishes in relation to the pending general elections. His succession from the ranks of the Tories is complete, as he has expressed himself as most anxious that the appeal to the constituencies should result in the unequivocal success of the Liberals throughout the country. Earl Grey, the veteran statesman, who for the last half century has been identified with the Liberal party, has published an address, which appears in the "Times." His Lordship takes marked exception to the programme foreshadowing the policy of Mr Gladstone aud his friends, and allows it to be inferred that his sympathies are with the Government, whom he encourages to persevere in the course

they have adopted, more especially in connection with foreign affairs. He expresses the hope that their policy will meet with the approval of the a>nstituenciea throughout the country. The Tories attach niuch significance to this declaration of his Lordship's views* and regard it as a favorable omen of their success at the approaching general elections;

Great public excitement prevails over the general elections. In several centres of population party demonstrations increase the political bitterness, and serious disturbances have occurred. At Chester the mob committed groat excesses. At Dundee, where the Liberals are in the ascendant, the authorities had much difficulty in preventing outrages against life and property. Tipperary and New Boss have made offers to Sir Charles Gavin Duffy to become a candidate.

On the Continent} deep interest Is being taken in the approaching general election in Great Britain. The eagerness of the Liberals to obtain the sympathy of the French has been damped by M. Gambetta's organ in the Press, which reproaches the Liberals with having permitted the bombardment at Paris, and says that although-Lord Beaconsfield's Government has often shewn weakness, yet it has roused England from the lethargy in which it was stdeped by the Liberals who would turn the arsenals into cotton mills. The leading French, German, and Austrian journals urge that Lord Beacons--field Government should receive the support of the country at the elections. The Vienna papers declare disgust at Mr Gladstone's rancorous attack on Austria, which they assert cannot trust the Liberals. AFGHANISTAN. There has been no submission on the part of the GhuZnee chiefs. They simply offer to negotiate. General Sir Donald Stewart's force has started for; Ghuznee, Mahgrnnjed Jan is'opposing them. The Governor of Tut'kistan is advancing towards Koohistan. His attitude is uncertain. The new positions at Cabul are being rapidly fortified. General Roberts has a force numbering 11,000 men. A Russian army corps has reached the Kuldama frontier. The whole of the tribes north of the Hindoo Koosh, accompanied by the Sirdar Abdul Rhatnan, are advancing westwards in the direction of Herat! The British troops are also moving in the same direction. Reinforcements are being sent to Gundamuk from Jellalabad, an attack on Asmatoda being leared. General Stewart, with a force of 6000 men, is advaocing from Canduhar, and he will be replaced at Candahar by General Primrose with 10,000 men. The Imperial Government and Indiau authorities have arrived at a definite understanding as to the future administration of affairs in Afghanistan. An official telegram has been forwarded by the Viceroy of India from Calcutta to the effect that the British propose to immediately uudertake the entire political and administrative charge of the northern aud eastern portions of Afghanistan, there being no possibility of any Native princes being capable of enforcing obedience over the hostile tribes. GENERAL NEWS. Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by Princess Beatrice, has started for Germauy, aud they will remain for a short time the guests of the Emperor William. The immediate object of the visit of her Majesty to Germany is to attend the ceremony of confirming the three eldest daughters of the late Princess Alice, namely—Victoria, Elizabeth and Irene, Princesses of Hesse, at Baden.

Mr Brown, member of the Senate of the Dominion Parliament, has been seriously injured in a personal encounter. His antagonist shot him in the thigh iuHicting a dangerous wound.

In connection with the Volunteer demonstration, the latest military improvements were introduced. The signalling corps sent up several balloons for the purpose of observation, which with telephonic communiation was maintained. The experiments as showing their utility; in actual warfare were considered highly satisfactory. Mr Birch, Governor of the Bank of England, in addressing a meeting of London livery-men, or members of guilds, made reference to the approaching general election, and declared that nothing could be more inimicable to the best interests of the countcy than that Mr Gladstone and the Mberals should be returned to power. Alphonso, King of Spain, is reluotant to have the sentence of death carried into effect upon Otera, by whom an attempt on his life had been made. The ministers submitted the case to his Majesty, and urged the necessity of making an example. King Alphonso

replied that as King, he desired (o exercise the prerogative of meroy, but lie left the matter to be finally dealt •with by the Council. It is believed that the capital sentence will be commuted to imprisonment for life. Great excitement has been caused at St. Petersburgh owing to the discovery of an extensive system of embezzlement, carried on for a considerable time, in connection with the Customs. The responsible officials charged with the frauds have been arrested, and the affdrs of the department investigated. Already it has been found that the defalcations amount to some millions of roubles. The "Russianirritation against Fiance is simulated, in order to improve the Russo-German Alliance. General Chanzy, the French Ambassador, leaves St. Petersburg in the same manner as Prince Orion*, the Russian Ambassador, left Paris. Russia refrains from demanding the extradition of Hartmann from England. His reported confession of being the originator of the plot to blow up the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg is denied. THE COLONIES. Sir Arthur Blyth, Agent-General for South Australia, read a paper at the Colonial Institute on South Australia. There was a crowded rneating of members on the occasion. In the course of the discussion which followed Sir James Fergusson paid a high tribute to Australian progress. But for the annoyance caused by the action of the Melbourne International Exhibition Commission in regard to the British courts, a further grant would have been demanded for the purpose of the British exhibits ; but, after the delivery of the Budget speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, there is now no prospect of an additional space being voted, or the Boyal Commission sending any leading personage to Melbourne. The Time?, in noticing the satisfaction felt in the colonies at the success of the Strathleven experiment, predicts a great extension of the trade between England and Australia if the export Can be permanent. The Hon. Thomas M'llwraith, the Premier of Queensland, leaves London on April Oth, on his return to the, colony. ■ i t • - ii