LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2533, 4 August 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. >—•—< INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON EGYPTIAN AFFAIRS. DEATH OF THE KING OF ANNAM. FRANCE'S ULTIMATUM TO CHINA. INTENDED OCCUPATION OF FOOCH.OW AND KELUNG. ARRIVAL OF THE GARELOCH, FROM LYTTELTON. (Received August 4, 0.45 a.m.) London, August 1. The International Conference on Egyptian Affairs was adjourned indefinitely to-day. In the House of Commons this afternoon, the Hon. W. E. Gladstone made a lengthy and important statement regarding the Conference. He regretted the delegates had failed to arrive at any agreement regarding the chief object under discussion—the adjustment of Egyptian finances. The failure, the Premier said, was owing to a difference which existed betweeu England and France, the latter refosing to agree to the proposed diminution of dividends payable as interest on Egyptian loans, as the financial committee has suggested. Italy and Turkey support the English proposal, and the Austrian, German, and Russian repi-esentatives decliued to vote. The failure of the Conference to agree to the basis upon which the reorganisation of Egyptian finances should have taken place was a mattter requiring serious consideration, and a heavy responsibility rested upon England ; the Anglo-French agreement which previously existed, having been in abeyance siuce the abolition of the pual control, was no longer binding. Hong-Kong, August 1. Telegrams are to hand from Annam announcing the death of the King. No details of the occurrence have yet been received. (Received August 4, 12.40 p.m.) August 3. In the event of the rejection by China of France's ultimatum, Admiral Courbet will immediately order the commanders of French war vessels now at Foo-Chow and Kelung (a seaport in the north of the island of Formosa) to occupy those places as a guarantee for the indemnity which is demanded as a reparation for the Langson affair. Per Merchant Shipping and Under writers Association : —London, August I.—Arrived, the Gareloch, from Lyttelton. [special to press association.] London," July 28. The Hon. Evelyn Ashley, in the House of Commons, stated that the attention of France had been directed to the fact that the duplex control over Egyptian finances had expired. He also said he hoped that it would not be necessary for the colonies to legislate for the exclusion of the criminals aud aliens. The Essex Regiment, stationed at Cairo, has been ordered to proceed to Assouan. July 29. A political crisis is anticipated in France iu connection with the revision of the Senate. Mr Gladstone will probably prorogue Parliament on August 12th.* At a meeting of the Federation Conference, Earl Roscbery suggested that a Royal Commission should be appointed to inquire into the practicability of the Federation of the Empire, or to ask the colonies to suggest a scheme. He also urged that a "Vigilance Committee of both Houses should be ap. pointed to watch over aud ventilate colonial questions. Lord Normanby said he rejoiced at the objects of the movement. Sir Francis Dillon Bell and Sir Saul Samuel wero present, but neither of them spoke. Writing on the Federation Conference, the Times states that iu the main it will solve the superficial difficulty, but the problem is, will it not diminish the local government of the colonies.

Lord Weniyss suggests that the Feder-, ation Council should comprise the leading members of the Imperial Cabinet and the Agents-General of the various colonies. Lord Lyons strongly urges the colonies to be satisfied only with the abolishing of the recidiviste scheme. The reports received from M. Ferry are more encouraging. The area of cholera in France is spreading, but the disease is less intense. July 30. Tawhaio and his party, on their return to New Zealand will proceed via San Francisco. The Recidiviste Committee here reported that the Press sympathy with colonists is remarkable. The Prince of Wales has invited the Agents-General of the Colonies to become members of the Executive Commission for the Colonial Exhibition, to be held in London in 1886. He suggests that the colonies should contribute to a guarantee fund. The amount of such contributions is not stated, but will probably not exceed £20,000.