SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 265, 19 November 1879, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

[Per Zealandia at Auckland]. London, Oct. 25. The question of England's foreign policy is a crucial one in th« present political campaign. The Times says the feeling of Use country is at i3sue with Lord Hartington upou the question of the foreign policy in Europe and Afghanistan. Germany reluctantly Bigned the AustroGermanic treaty. Bismarck threatened to resign the Governorship of Syria, discouraged by the passive obstruction of the Porte to all reforms. At a private conference at Dublin, of which Mr Parnell was President, it was resolved to form a National League to procure reduced rents, and to defend the interests of tenants. It was resolved to seek aid from the Irishmen living in America. The gradual franchisement of the slaves in Cuba is proposed, the old slaves to be emancipated in 1880, and others at various subsequent periods till 1890, when all to be enfranchised. Rosenberg, the publisher of " Town Talk," for libelling Mrs Cornwallis West and Mr and Mrs Laugtry was found guilty of libel. Great interest is felt in the libel action brought by the proprietor of the Daily Tilegraph against Mr Labouchere the proprietor of Truth. Before the action was brought Mr Lawson, of the Telegraph, assaulted Mr Labouchere. The Empress Eugenic visited the Queen at Balmoral. General Pearson has been presented with a sword of honor. lie warmly supported Sir Bartle Frere's African policy, and eulogised Lord Chelmßford. The Prussian exploring vessel Jeanette arrived at Lawrence on the 29th September. It is believed that there is a prospect cf discovering the Arctic Sea open in winter. The iron market is excited in consequence of large orders from America. General Shearman says of the Colorado war that- the army is too small, and urges its increase. A meeting of the Ami Imperialists' League was hjßld in Hyde-park, when resolutions w«*e carried condemnatory of the Government policy, and dsinandiug the dissolution ofTwrlument.

Members of the Liberal parly in their speeches^ to their constituents dating the Parliamentary recisss continue attacking the foreign policy of the Government. Sir Vernoa Harcourt at Liverpool vigorously denounced it, and ?aid that" the Treaty of Berlin would not arrest the decomposition of Turkey, and that the result of the Ministerial policy iv India would be most disastrous to the public finances. Intelligence has been received at Constantinople from Algiers to the effect that while some races were being held on the 6th October two stands gave way and 70 persons were injured. Fine autumnal weather is being experienced. A large acreage of corn is still unbarvestedThe agitation in Ireland continues ; numerous meetings have been held and threatening letters sent to the Marquis of Hartford. A meeting of Irishmen was held at Boston to support the movement substantially. England has offered her good offices te settle the dispute between Egypt and Abyssinia. The ironclads Achilles and Alexandra dnriog the voyage from Rhodes came into collision, and the broadside of the Achilles was damaged. Mr Gladstone has arrived at Venice, and was warmly welcomed. The Empress of Ilussia is going to Cannes, and the Grand Duke Constantiue to Paris, where he remains for a mouth. Dreadful floods have occurred extending over 120 miles in Andalusia Maluga, Alicante and Nuncia. The Spanish Government reports a loss of life exceeding 300.— There was a hurricane accompanied by heavy rains which overflowed the rivers aud flooded the popular and fertile valleys and the cities of Loica Orihuela, Murcilaus, CreTillante, and large number of villages between Murcia Arcante and Cartageua were more or less iujured. The rivers suddenly rose several yards during the night and the inhabitants were compelled to fly without gating auy property. The streams were covered with the wrecks of farmhouses, agricultural implements, dead cattle, aud human corpses. Soldiers and mariners were sent by railway from the nearest station to the scene of the disaster and the churches and public buildings were occupied by the fugtives. The telegraph lines were destroyed in all directions. The same storm partially flooded Malaga t and interrupted the telegraph aud railway com munition. A ! despatch from Paris cays that the total damage by the floods is estimated at I 60,000,000 francs. Three thousand five hundred houses and 121 miles of railway were destroyed. It is also estimated ihat 2000 persons lost their lives. Kiug Alfonso has subscribed 50,000 francs for the relief of the sufferers, the Prince of Asturia 6,000, and the Bauk of Spain has collected 60,000 francs for the same purpose. It is stated that King Alfonso has declared, in view of the calamity, that all sums which individuals or public bodies intended to contribute towards the celebration of hia marriage should be devoted to the relief of the sufferers. An outbreak of Indians occurred in Colorado, when forty whites were killed aud numbers of womeu and children captured. Terrible depredations were committed in the country, and the miners were driven from their camp. The volunteers mustered freely. In th» first attack on the Indians by a small party the latter had to retreat, having ten men killed and a number wounded. The Indlaas captured 8000 rounds of ammunition. The troops were surrounded, but reinforcements were forwarded and defeated the savages, who then sued for peace and sent in the captives they had taken.