SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS TO MELBOURNE PAPERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1378, 2 March 1881, Page 2

SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS TO MELBOURNE PAPERS.

London, February 16. A Cabinet Council has been summoned to consider the overtures for peace which have been made by the Boers in the Transvaal. The Government, it is understood, is willing to offer them autonomy. The military situation is critical, There are suspicions of a contemplated general rising in Ireland. Extensive precautions are being made by the military and police authorities in order to prevent the anticipated outbreak. The Irish Land League proceedings are discountneqced by the French Government, The Tekke Turcoman chiefs at Merv and Rhanite in Turkestan, have resolved to resist Russian aggression. Parnell has issued a manifesto addressed to the Irish Land League. He says that it is his intention to remain in London, and states that the suppof t to be expected from the United States, depends on the stand which would be made in Ireland. He announces that he will continue his resistance to the Coercion Bill, and recommends a junction of the English democracy with the Irish nationalists. He enjoins the Irish tenants to continue to exercise a passive resistance against the payments of rents, by which means they will secure a victory, peace and prosperity. February 19. There are rumors of a negotiation for peace between the Boers and British. The speech of President Brandt at the opening of the Volksraat, the Parliament of the Orange Free States, was pacific. The Marquis of Hartington has stated that if it can be proved that the holding of Candahar would add to the stability of the Indian Empire, the British would reconsider the proposed evacuation, but at the same time he doubted if such proof could be afforded. The Pope has condemned Parnell for conferring with Rochefort. A company has been started for carrying out telephone communication in Australia. In the deciding course for the Waterloo Coursing Cup, Mr Miller's Princess Dagtnar met Mr Brocklebank's Bishop, and won the Cup. The importation into France of Ame* rican pork and hams has been prohibited.