LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2361, 22 March 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright, ELECTIONS for CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND HUNTINGDONSHIRE. FRANCE CLAIMING AN INDEMNITY FROM CHINA. ARREST OF NIHILISTS IN RUSSIA. PROTECTORATE OVER EGYPT. THE FRENCH IN TONQUIN. SMALL-POX AT MADRAS. FEDERATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES. (Received March 22, 2.20 p.m.) London, March 21. A vacancy having occurred iu the representation of Cambridgeshire in the House of Commons, owing to the resignation of the senior (Liberal) member, Sir Henry Brand, ex-Speaker, elevated to the peerage, an election took place yesterday, which resulted in the return of the Conservative candidate (Thornhill) by a large majority over his Liberal opponent. An election also took place yesterday for the representation of Huntingdonshire, where Sir Robert Peel was returned in the Liberal interest. It has transpired that France has claimed an indemnity from China for the expenses of the Tonquin campaign, the amount being fixed at a minimum of six million pounds sterling. (Received March 22, 1.5 a.m.) St. Petersburg, March 20. Twenty-six Nihilists, among whom are four military officers, have been arrested by the police. >—< [special to press ASSOCIATION.] London, March 17. The majority in the Cabinet, it is understood, desire to declare a protectorate over Egypt for a fixed period, but Mr Gladstone and Lord Derby are opposed to such a proceeding. The struggle between the two parties is said to be of an acute character. The application for new trial in the Belt-Lawes case has been refused, March 18. A severe attack of smallpox has broken out at Madias. A large number of cases are reported, and considerable alarm is felt at the spread of the disease. It is rumoured that Prince Napoleon has issued a manifesto, and fled to Switerland, News has been received that the French troops have entirely routed the Chinese at Johuhung, and that the standards and a uumber of guns fell into their hands. The French will probably seize a large portion of Chinese territory pending the payment of a heavy war indemnity.

March 19.

The French intend to occupy the islands of Obusla and Jerish, situated in the Red Sea. Mr Parcels (sic) speaking at Edinburgh, said that the federation of the Australian Colonies was impossible without the establishment of a Parliament similar to the Dominion Parliament of Canada; the existing Colonial Legislatures continuing to legislate on local affairs.