SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5616, 29 March 1879, Page 2

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

(PER PRESS AOENCT.) (PER HERO AT AUCKLAND). The progress Of the plague has received the attention of the English Government. The Lords of the Council have announced that they will zealously guard the approach of vessels from Russian ports, although they believe that no need of alarm exists. Intercourse with Russia is virtually prohibited in Germany and Roumania in consequence of the plague, while Italy and Turkey have adopted very stringent quarantine regulations. The latest accounts state that the plague has increased in Russia since the thaw set in, and there.is a general disposition to epidemic in the interior. A strong belief, in fant, prevails that the.spring will witness a serious revival in intensity of this dreadful malady, and that it will make considerably farther strides westward. Although the epidemic in Thessaly has not been ascertained to be the plague, there has been a large mortality in that province from malignant typhus. The idea of an immediate advance on Herat, if ever contemplated, has been abandoned, and the troops under Generals Stewart and Biddulph have had to return from Khelat Gelmi and Girst towards Kandahar. The reason for this retrograde movement is not officially stated, but it is generally regarded as a sign that the war is over. General Roberts, In Rusram Valley, and General Brown in the Khyber Pass and Jellalahad, appear to be devoting their attention to improving and securing communication. The Afghan winter has fairly set in, and the troops are suffering considerable hardship, but maintain capital spirits. The mortality in the camp at Kandahar is very great. Accounts continue to he received of dissensions among the chief men at Kabul, and desertions from Yakoob Khan’s army are frequent. Rumors were current that the Ameer, Shere AH, had died, but the report had reference to the Ameer of Bokhara.

Sir Reid Temple has returned to Bombay after an absence of two and a half months, engaged in- a scheme for putting on an efficient footing the supply and transport agencies for the Quettah and Kandahar forces. Mr. McPherson, the London war correspondent, was dismissed from General Roberts’ camp for adding to a telegram after it had been countersigned by the general. Other accounts state that his dismissal was owing to adverse criticism of General Roberts’- tactics at Peiwar. ■ Catur Walie Dahornet arrived at Jellalahad, and was received with considerable state. It is believed that important negotiations are proceeding between him and the British. An onward movement from Ballabad was expected soon. Isolated attacks by fanatics continue, but nothing serious has occurred. The Home Government thanked the Indian Government for the offer of a contingent for the Cape, but added that it was not at present required. General Grant arrived at Bombay on the 14th January, and was the guest of the Governor. He has since proceeded on a tour through India. A letter from Yakoob Khan, dated Oabul, 20th January, has been received at Jellalahad, containing overtures for the renewal of friendly relations with the British. A further letter states that since the despatch of the forme* letter news was received at Cabul of the death of the Ameer’s father. Yakoob sent this information “on account of friendship, as his father was an old friend of the British." General Biddulph’s rear guard was attacked by 2000 Alurai duramis, but the assailants were repulsed, losing 1500 men. Our loss was five killed, including one major, and eleven wounded.

Lord Chelmsford's despatch, reporting the defeat of the British forces by the Zulus, stated :—“ X have to regret a rery disastrous engagement on 22nd January between the Zulus and a portion of the force under my command at Borke's Drift, which during 83 hours had been attacked by between 3000 and 4000 Zulus. Amongst the fallen are Lieut. Chard, 8.E., senior officer, and Capt. Broomhead. Three hundred and seventy bodies lay close around the post. The loss of the Zulus is estimated at 1000 here alone, but at the camp, where the disaster occurred, the loss of the enemy is computed at over 2000.” The session of Parliament re-opened without a speech from the Throne. The attendance in the Lords was very numerous, but despite the full and brilliant aspect of the House there was a gloom over the proceedings from the beginning to the end, caused by the news from South Africa. Every allusion to the subject by speakers during the debate appeared to make a painful impression. Lord Beaconsfield rose and reviewed the present position of the African troops, and announced measures which it was the intention of the Government to introduce during the session. The noble lord then, in unaffected but touching terms, alluded to the sad event in South Africa, which he described as a great military disaster. Ho carried with him the sympathy and approval of both sides of the House when he paid a feeling tribute to the heroism of our troops, dead and living, who had to encounter that disaster. The noble lord summed up his review of external affairs by an emphatic declaration that the object for which he had undertaken hostilities in Afghanistan had been . completely accomplished. We were now in possession of three great highways between Afghanistan and India. This would make our Indian Empire: ; invulnerable;, The. Government had recognised the difficulties that: had arisen from Sheer Ali's disappearance, but did not think’ they -would- prove insuperable obstacles to a settlement. Lord Beaconsfield made one other important announcement on the subject. “It is,” he stated, ” the general expression of ; opinion amongst Indian .authorities that Indian ought to bear, can bear, and ultimately will bear, all the expenses of the present hostilities.’ The speeches of the Opposition leaders in both Houses were of very moderate' character. They fully shared in the sorrow expressed by the Government on account of the military disaster, and: agreed in the steps to be taken to redress it, although reserving for future discussion the question of the origin of the war. Exception was also taken to the favorable picture drawn by the Government respecting the results of the Treaty of Berlin, the unsatisfied Greek claims being particularly referred to. It was evident also that the question of Turkey’s non-execution of the reforms guaranteed by the Anglo-Turkisb will hereafter form the subject of sharp criticism by the Opposition.