BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2473, 21 February 1881, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[Reuter’s Agency, j The Coercion Sill. London, Feb. 18. Mr Gladstone announced in the House of Commons last night, that the Government proposed to bring the debate in Committee on the Irish Coercion Bill, to a close on Monday night. The announcement was not well received by the Irish members, a number of whom protested against the consideration of the .measure being curtailed. Piebald ‘Warfare. It is announced that in addition to the detached squadron, the Flying Squadron is also under orders to proceed to the Cape. Feb. I'J. I.aycock’s Ketnrn. The Orient Company’s steamer Lusitania left Plymouth yesterday, for Auslia. Laycock, the sculler, is a passenger by her for Sydney. The Queen at Windsor. All fears of a Fenian attempt blow up Windsor having been dispelled, her Majesty the Queen has now returned to Windsor. Parnell in Ziondon. Mr Parnell has returned to London from Paris, and has resumed his attendance at the House of Commons. The Speaker of the House of Commons has now somewhat modified the rules which he has lately made for the repression of disorder in the House.

Several Home .Rpjers have .seceded from Mr Parnell’s leadership, in consequence of His action in “ coquetting with Communists during his recent visit to Paris. Russian Explanations. In reference'to the recently published papers regarding the discoveries made by General Roberts in Cabal, it is now officially announced that the Russian Government has explained to England that Skobeloff prolonged his intrigues in Afghanistan because he was ignorant • of the fact that the Berlin Treaty had been signed by the Great Powers. It is further stated by the Russian Government that the Ameer, Shere Ali, proposed an offensive and defensive treaty of alliance, but that that proposal was rejected by the Russian General. Afghan Movements. Calcutta. Feb. 18. News has been received that the Ameer of Afghanistan has left Cabul on a special mission to Peshawur, and will shortly afterwards come on a visit to this city. Feb. 19. Telegrams are to hand containing a report that an army corps organised by the Ameer has left Cabul for Ghuznee, but the object of the movement is not known. Cape Toivn, Feb, 18, News has been received from Natal that the corps under Sir Evelyn Wood has reached Sir George Colley’s camp at Ingogo, and the rest of the reinforcements from Durban have arrived at Newcastle. A junction of all the troops is expected to be effected at once. Generals Wood and Colley have held a conference, to decide upon their course of action. Subdued Turcomans. St. Petersburg, Feb.-18. Telegrams to hand from Central Asia report that since the issue of General SkobelofC’s proclamation, offering an armistice, a number of Tekke Turcomans have sent in their submission, though the movement is not general amongst the whole tribe.

eastern Wogociations. Constantinople, Feb. 18. Count de Hatzfieldt has returned here as German Ambassador to the Porte, with the object, it is stated, of using friendly influence with the Ottoman Government to bring about a peaceful settlement of the Greek frontier difficulty.