[SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.]

Kumara Times, Issue 2779, 18 August 1885, Page 2

[SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.]

London, August 5. Referring in the House of Lords last night to the Afghan frontier question, the Marquis of Salisbury declared his belief that Russia was dallying with the matter in order to gain time, and to obtain fu'ler information with regard to the typography of the country. The Marquis of Salisbury is about to pay a visit to the Continent, when it is expected, that he will interview Prince Bismarck and also M. Giers, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mrs Butler (Miss Elizabeth Thompson) has repudiated any counection with the picture purchased for the Sydney Art Gallery, and which was represented to be her painting. August 6.

In consequence of the critical state of affairs it is proposed to garrison Suakim with Turkish troops. August 7. The tone of Russia has become very bellicose towards England. Extensive naval preparations are being made at Russian ports, and large supplies of munitions are being forwarded to the fleet stationed at Vladivostock, a port on the Murirefu Promontory.

August 8. Sir Charles Dilke has been made corespondent iu a divorce suit. Mrs Crawford, the respondent, is a daughter of Mr Eustace Smith, who sits in the House of Commons for Tyne North. Sir C. Dilke has written a letter to the Committee of the House of Commons, denying his guilt.

Mr Gladstone has started on a three weeks' cruising excursion to Norway.

August 9. It ia rumored that the Czar is adopting a more openly belligerent attitude with regard to the Afghan frontier que.siion. It is further reported that M. Giers is about to resign his position.

The Russian fleet in the Baltic has been ordered to winter at Helsingfors, in the Gulf of Finland, and is to remain in readiness for active service.