LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1239, 7 April 1880, Page 2

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

(REUTEIt's SPEOIAX, SUMMARY.) London, Feb. 21. General horror and indignation has been excited throughout Europe by the fresh diabolical attempt on the persona of the family of the Czar. The details at present recoived are very meagre. The censorship of will be more rigorous than ever. The following are the latest partioulai'3 ! Shortly after seven in the evening of the 17th February, when the Czar with the Duohesa of Edinburgh,

and Prince Alexander of Bulgaria) were about to repair to the dining room in the Winter Palace, a terrific explosion was heard. The Ozar was immediately after informed that the banqueting hall was a- | wreck, and that the accidental delay saved him and the Imperial family from death. The dinner had been fixed for seven, and the Emperor and the Duchess of Edin-„ burgh displayed wonderful composure. On search being made, it was found that saveral pounds of dynamite and gun cotton had been placed in the cellars beneath the guard-room,-situated- on the-ground floor directly beneath the dining saloon. The explosion was fired by an electric battery ifronv-sonie poinfcwithout-thejaalace yet undiscovered. The cellars were used as joiner's shops,-and were*' occupied by "four of -whom were -arrested.The 'fourth ma'n is missing, a Many, persons in the palaco . and ' immediate vicinity have been - arrested. At the moment of the explosion the guard chamber beneath the dining saloon was filled with about 160 men > eight of whtjm wer.e killed, and 45 wounded. Such an attempt in the heart of the Winter Palace is ■ considered''all the more extraordinary because before the Czar tabes -his usual j winter residence there the most minute examination _ is made in and around the palace in order prevent a repetition of an attempt similar to that made to. blow up the Imperial train near Moscow. If therefore the explosion was really the work of Nihilists, it is thought they, must have direct assistance from persons connected" .with' the' Imperial household. Queen Victoria and all the Sovereigns of Europe telegraphed congratulations to the Czar on his fortunate escape. All expectations are now abandoned of any announcement of constitutional reform on the occasion .of . the. anniversary of the Emperor's accession to the throne. On the contrary extreme measures are expected to be'enforced throughout Russia. The Czar is greatly irritated, and harassed, and is represented as regretting the liberal concessions made during his reign. The explosion, in the Winter Palace makes the fifth attempt on the Czar's life within ten months. ' .

'J he Pope has issued an Encyclical letter in which his holiness declares that civil marriage is insufficient, and strongly condemns divorce. He says it behoves everybody to know that any union between man and woman apart ,from the Sacrament has neither the character nor yalue of real marriage. Divorce is declared to be fatal to the prosperity of the family and people, and a source of moral depravity. Dr:. Russell, of Crimean renown, special correspondent to, the Daily Telegraph during the late South African war, has made serious charges of breaches of discipline against several regiments in the Transvaal, accusing the men of plundering, drunkenness, general lawlessness, and being uncontrollable by their officers. Sir G. Wolseley denied the charges, but subsequently stated that inquiries would be made, as the • Home authorities had determined to sift the' matter to the bottom. A blue book has been published, containing a despatch from Sir M. HicksBeach to Sir 'Bartle Frere, dated December 11, in favor of self-government at Natal, and also the Transvaal when settled and loyal.. .. The Marquis of Lome has recommended the Dominion Parliament to grant a hundred thousand dollars to the relief of Irish distress. ' A .volunteer review will be held at Easter on the Brighton Downs for the first time during the last seven years.