LATEST CABLE NEWS.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume V, Issue 215, 28 March 1885, Page 2

LAT EST CABLE NEWS.

London, March 23. Ranter's special correspondent with General Graham's army telegraphs, under dateo midnight of the 22nd:—That the ft-ritisli troops nuder command of MajorGeneral M'Neill formed a zareba at a point about aix miles along the road to Tamai. The position had only been occupied a short time when it was attacked by a large loree ef Arabs, numbering fully four thousand, whe made a violent onslaught on the zareba. The fighting which was of a most desperate character, lasted about tweaty minutes, after which time the enemy were repulsed with a less j estimated at orer 1000. The British ; casualties are given as two officers and 21 rank and file killed, and 3$ wounded. ! Maroh 24. ; The Daily News this merning publishes I a telegram from India announcing that a force of 25,000 men is now being mobilised, I and they will be placed under the com - j mani of Lieut - General Sir Frederick Roberts, and will occupy Pesheen, a place j about 100 miles to the south-east of j Khandahar. i The same telegram also states that the ! Maharajah Scindia, Gwalior, has offered ! the services of his army to the British for i employment if required in Afghani itan. I In the House of Commons to-day, Gladstone stated, in reply to a question, that Earl Granville, Secretary of State for! Foreign Aftairs, had addressed an import l j ant communication to Russia on the 16th'j March, and that it was expected that the ! eharaeter of the answer would determine I whether negotiations between the two powers would take place in London, or whether the Afghan frontier delimitation will be settled by local commission of enquiry, as desired by the British Government. Calcutta, March 25. A division of the Indian army has been ordered to proceed forthwith to Peskiu, Southern Afghanistan, and a reserve force ef forty thousand men is also being mobilised. It is expected that Major-General Duke of Connaught commanding at Mtrat, will take oharge of the reserve division. '