LATE CABLE NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2775, 14 February 1882, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Special to Melbourne Papers.] (Per Arawata at the Bluff.) London, Jan. 31. The “Times” this morning contains an article upon Sir Henry Parkes’ visit to the United States. It supposes that he is feeling his way to a closer and more extended mercantile intercourse between America and the colonies, but expresses a hope that New South Wales will not be disposed to change her policy and give up her premier position in Australia. The article goes on to express ignorance of the object which Sir Henry Parkes can have in attempting to bring about a modification of the Washington tariff, but it considers that the energy displayed in pushing Australian interests in seeking fresh markets for her commerce cannot but result in profit both to the colonies and the Home country. The Chamber of Commerce of New York have accorded a flattering reception to Sir Henry Parkes. Mr Archibald Forbes, the celebrated war correspondent, has definitely arranged to commence his Australian lecturing tour in May next. He will deliver his first series of lectures on incidents connected with his military experiences and other subjects in Melbourne on the Bth of that month.

The man Skilling, who was recently committed for trial for assaulting young girls at a boarding school kept by his wife, has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Mr Justin McCarthy, the Home Buie member for Longford, is to be the new leader, in place of Mr Parnell, of the extreme Irish party in the House of Commons. It is believed at the Vatican that the negotiations of Prince Bismarck with the Italian Government to enable the Pope to remain at Home are not likely to succeed. .

Numerous meetings arc being bold throughout the United States for the relief of the persecuted Jews in Eussia. Great alarm is felt as to the prospects of the rice crops ,in Mysore, Southern. India. It is feared that they will be a failure, and there are grave apprehensions of a famine. The Eussian Government has decided to reduce the Customs duties on imports. Great excitement has been caused throughout Russia by the intelligence of enormous frauds having been discovered in the Customs department of that country. From investigations made it has been ascertained that defalcations exist to the amount of 70,000,000 roubles (nearly £10,000,000). Scrutin de lisle, or the system of voting by department, has been submitted by the Ministry to the Italian Chamber of Deputies, and after an animated discussion has been adopted by the Legislature. An Irish Property Defence Fund, established under the auspices of the Lord Mayor of London, has now reached the sum of £30,000. The Viceroy of India, Lord Eipon, has appointed a Royal Commission to investigate the condition of education within the Indian Empire, and to report upon means best calculated to promote efficiency of the system. - New York has been visited by snowstorms of almost unparalleled duration and violence. The snow was so deep on the ground that traffic of every, kind was altogether impeded, and business completely suspended. The Caspian Sea has been visited by a tremendous gale at the mouth of the Volga. In the province of Astrakhan the force of the wind did an immense amount of damage to the fishing boats, which were scattered in all directions, numbers of them being destroyed. Many lives were lost, no less than 600 fishermen being reported as missing. ; ' A wind storm that passed over a large part of Russia has wrought great destruction everywhere. Moscow experienced the full force of the gale. Houses were wrecked, steeples blown down, and a vast amount of property destroyed. A fire broke out in the office of the “ New York Times ” shortly before the paper went to press. The flames gained ground so rapidly that the inmates had great difficulty in escaping. Five persons were killed, eight were injured, and fourteen others are reported to be missing.

Russia is making great warlike preparations with the evident design of interfering in the complications ,that have arisen in Eastern Europe. Large bodies of troops are being massed in the South, ,■ where they, are held in readiness for immediate action. It is rumored that with a view to strengthen ing its position in the event of a war with Austria, which now seems imminent. Russia-has concluded a secret treaty with Roumanian The insurrectionary movement in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Dalmatia, has produced very strained relations between Austria and Russia 1 . Austria accuses Russia,of intriguing to stir up a general Pan-Slavic movement movement, the. object of which is to shake off the,Austrian sovereignty and form an independent state under Russian protection. The insurgent Bosnians are said to be officered by Russians, and many of the Austrian troops sympathise strongly with the Slav rising, and object to fight against their fellow-nationalities. The Dalma tians are deserting from the army in large numbers. The conspiracy against the Austrian Government has extended to Gallicia. Great indignation has been caused among the Austrian troops operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the barbarities practised by the insurgents upon the prisoners that fall into their hands. Some soldiers were found to have been shockingly mutilated.