LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2769, 6 August 1885, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MARKET RATE OF DISCOUNT. THE RUSSO-AFGHAN FRONTIER SITUATION. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. FORTIFICATION OF THE INDIAN FRONTIER. AFGHAN TROOPS TO ZULFIKAR PASS. MORE RUSSIAN REINFORCEMENTS TO PENJDEH. THE RUMOURED DEATH OF OSMAN DIGNA. (Received August 6, 1.40 a.m.) London, August 4. The market rate of discount has advanced to I\, and is now -f below the bank rato. The Australian mails, dated 26th June, were delivered here to-day, via Naples. August 5. The Marquis of Salisbury made a statement in the House of Lords last night on the Russo-Afghan frontier situation. Lord Salisbury informed the House that the question of occupancy of the Zulnkar Pass was still unchanged, Russia dissenting from the contention put forward by the British Foreign Office on the subject. His Lordship added that it was not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to modify the existing agreement with the Ameer so as to provide for the occupancy of the position in Af-

ghauistan ; but that at the same time the fortification of the Indian frontier would be vigorously proceeded with, regard less of other Powers. Bombay, August 4.

The Afghan troops have moved in I considerable reinforcements to Zulfikar Pass. Russian forces continue to arrive at Penjdeh. Cairo, August 4. Major Chiruside states that no confirmation of the news of the death of Osman Digna has been received, and expresses his doubts as to the truth of the rumor. [special to press association.] London, August 3. The American mails for Australia are now being forwarded via England. The vestry of the Rev. R. T. Webber, recently appointed Bishop of Brisbane, have preseuted him with an address and a suite of furniture, prior to his leaving for Australia. [SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.] London, July 24. Colonel Stanley, Colonial Secretary, is desirous of having the Australian Federal Council Enabling Bill passed without any alteration, excepting the withdrawal of the amendment enabling any colony retiring from the Council to abrogate legislation previously passed. July 23. Sir Charles Gavan Duffy has written to the Earl of Carnarvon, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, suggesting that the system of government followed in the Australian colonies be conceded to Ireland. July 27. The latest news from the Soudan shows that the death of the Mabdi has uot affected the rebellion, as the hostility of Osman Digna remains unchecked. THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. London, July 25. The seals of office were formally transferred at Windsor by her Majesty the Queeen on the afternoon of the 24th from the Liberal to the new Conservative administration. Lord Salisbury asked from the Liberal leader a pledge of co-operation on two points. First, that whenever a vote of supply was put down on the Notice Paper the Government business should have precedence, bnt that if no other provisions were made for meeting the expenditure over the estimates left by Mr Childers, votes of credit already passed to meet the deficiency should be met by the issue of Exchequer bonds. Mr Gladstone's first reply was regarded by Lord Salisbury as too vague. On Mr Gladstone's being pressed, he declined to give the specific pledges, but replied that on the Liberal side there would be no disposition to embarrass the Government or make extreme or illegitimate usage of the power of the majority. Lord Salisbury finally consented to accept office, notwithstanding Mr Gladstone's refusal to give the specific undertaking. Hardinge Gifford, Lord Chancellor, receives the peerage under the title of Lord HaJsbury. Other nominations are the Right Hon. Edward Gibson, Chancellor of Ireland; Mr Henry Chaplin being the Political Secretary; Mr Akers Douglas, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; the Right Hon. David Robert Plunket, First Commissioner of Works ; Mr J. H. Macdonald, Lord Advocate. Naval Lords of the Admiralty—Admiral Hook, Sir John Coomerl, Captain Codrington. ENGLAND AND RUSSIA. London, July 22. The situation between England and Russia is regarded as more peaceful in character. The Emperor of Russia has issued orders strictly forbidding the troops on the Afghan frontier from taking aggressive action. July 23. The Russian Commission, with M. Lessar, President, has been appointed to proceed to Afghan frontier, and to inquire into the state of affairs there. The Commission is expected to arrive at the frontier at the end of August. July 26.' The Russian Government are endeavoring to delay a decision being arrived at with England on the Afghan frontier question. Russia's motive for procrastination is stated to be the close proximity of the parliamentary general election in England. She entertains a hope that the Conservatives will not come back with a majority. July 27. The Russian authorities have signified their willingness to withdraw the Russian troops from Zulfikar, pending the completion of negotiations now proceeding with respect to the occupation of that place. Russia, however, expressly stipulates that in the event

of their troops being withdrawn, Zn\fikar must not be occupied by the Afghans. GORDON'S DIARY. London, July 25. Gordon's diary of Khartoum was issued on the afternoon of the 24th. The London papers publish long extracts from pages in which the defender of Khartoum pours forth the bitterness of his soul at the part played towards him by the. Briiish Government. The last words of the diary are, "I have done my best for the honor of my country." In his last letter to bis sister, Gordon writes, " Like Clarence, I have tried to do my duty." Speaking of the expedition for the relief of Khartoum, he says, "No one can judge of the waste of money or expense of life in the present expedition. It is utter waste. Both are simply due to the indecision of the English Government." Referring to the Soudan policy of the Gladstone Government, Gordon describes it "as the policy of a log floating down the stream." In another passage he says "The action of the Government was such as to convince him that they grudged him his perverse persistency in living. If he had been killed the Foreign Office would have thought it a good riddance." In other passages Gordon comments sarcastically upon the reluctance of the Ministry to " face the responsibility of their own acts." The Pall Mall Gazette describes the diary as the epitaph of the Liberal Government written as by the fingers of an invisible hand, an evitaph summed up in the word "Indecision."