LATE CABLE NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2799, 14 March 1882, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

(Per steamer at the Bluff.) [“Age ” Special.] London, Feb.2B In order to allay the excitement caused in Germany by the recent utterances of General Skobeloffe aud the great military preparations being made by llussia, Prince Orloff, the [Russian Ambassador at ,Berlin, has had an inter*

view with Prince Bismark. Assurances of a peaceful nature were given by the former, who stated that the Russian Government had no warlike intentions towards Germany, and that it ought not to be held responsible for the utterances of unauthorised persons. KMr Joseph Cowan, member for Newcastle, has given notice of ms intention to move that a free pardon be granted to Bavin, recently elected a member for Meath, who was some years ago convicted of treason aed Government is continuing to make arrests in Ireland of persons suspected of being concerned in acts of violence nod intimidation that have been frequent of late. In County Wexford, nine men have been seized by the police andlodged in gaol. The damage caused by the explosion of an infernal machine at the rai'way shed, Berlin, turns out to be more serious than was at first reported. In addition to the destruction of a great part of the railway station, it has been ascertained that ten lives were lost through the explosion. An 'unusual event took place on Sunday at Kirkaldy, a seaport town of County Fife, eleven miles from Edinburgh. It had been announced that a vessel would be launched that day and an immense concourse assembled, fully 16,000 persons being present to witness the proceedings. Great indignation was expressed by some of the more rigid amongst the Scotch clergy and one Fifeshire minster severely censured those who were present, for their , descration of the Sabbath. ||Party feeling is very much excited over the Northampton election. _ Mr Corbett, the Conservative candidate has been assaulted by the supporters of Mr Bradlaugh, and was in considerable danger. The assistance of the military had to be called in to restore order. American supporters of the Irish Land League have decided to bold a convention at Washington in April for the purpose of expressing sympathy ■‘itHth that body, and of devising’ means i;, to assist in carrying out their objects. It is expected that there will he a large gathering of lrish sympathisers on the ; occasion. ■ The position of the Egyptian Ministry is reported to be insecure, and dissensions have broken out among the military by whose influence the Ministry were i. placed in office, and a further change is believed to be imminent. It is reported that ten Nihilists, who , have been convicted and sentenced to death, will not be executed, as the Czar has decided to commute the sentence to one of penal servitude. Owing to late heavy and continuous rains in England the rivers in the midi .-land counties have overflowed their banks, causing serious floods. The adjoining lands and houses have sustained much damage, and the loss is estimated at a considerable amount. Great difficulty has been experienced lately in navigating the Atlantic, owing ; to the multitude of icebergs which have drifted southwards. Several vessels were placed in considerable danger, and it is thought that some which are now • overdue have been detained by the same cause. In consequence of the frequency of ■ street outrages and .acts of personal Violence, the late Government decided ■ to adopt severe measures for their suppression, and a Bill will shortly be introduced into Parliament to enable the authorities to deal effectually with this class of offence. A fatal' and calamitous accident occurred to a Thames Ferry boat, 'crowded with passengers, which capsized and sank, forty-seven lives being ‘ lost. Owing to representations made .to the Czar by the Council of Ministers, it is ‘ believed that General Ignafieff will be ' removed from the head of the Ministry. His successor will probably be Waltonieff, ..who has held for some years the position of Minister of the Imperial dominions.