LATEST TELEGRAMS

Southland Times, Issue 971, 19 June 1868, Page 3

LATEST TELEGRAMS

VIA THE BSD SEA. Lojtdon, May 9. ' The Abyssinian war is over. A decisive battle was fought during a violent storm of rain, thunder, and lightning, at dusk, in Arogee Valley, on Easter Monday. Next day the English troops occupied strong positions before Magdala, threatening the town. Theodorus sent Lieutenant Prideaux and his flag, with two captives, offering to release all of the others at once if Sir Robert Napier ■would assist him to consolidate his power. Sir Robert Napier, in reply, demanded the unconditional surrender of all the prisoners, promising, on that condition, protection to Theodorus and family. Theodorus refused to submit to the fortfe of a nation ruled by a woman. That night he endeavored to escape, with fifty followers, to the mountains. However, agents sent by General Napier had roused the Gallas tribe, who -were offered a very large reward for capturing Theodorus, alive or dead. Einding that he could not escape Theodorus returned to Magdala. Next day, half ; his. army, amounting to 5,000 men, gave up , their arms, and surrendered the strong.positions of G-ahla, Selassie, and Solamgee. The captives, sixty-one in all, were released, the German missionaries bring-

ing with them their Abyssinian wives and children. At daylight, on Good JMday, fire was opened on Magdala. The town was soon after assaulted by the troops, who entered with little difficulty. Upon their entrance, Theodorus shot himself through the head. His body was found close by ; the inner gate. The garrison welcomed • the invaders warmly. The army was to commence the return i journey immediately. Of the Abyssin-j ians, 5,000 were killed and 1,000 woun-l ded. Numbers of the chiefs fell, their, scarlet robes forming excellent marks for; our riflemen. The English had onej officer fCaDfcaitt Boberts. of the 4th'

Regiment), and seventeen men wounded.. Not a man was killed. The cost of the! Robert Napier has been gazetted to the Order of the Bath. The news of the attack upon "Prince 1 Alfred at Sydney, has occasioned a great: sensation in England and in India. The; British Parliament has adopted an address > to the Queen on the Bubject. \ No debate has taken place mParliament; on Victorian affairs, pending the discus- ; sion of Sir Roundell Palmer's motion, condemning the recommendation of the Darling grant by the Governor with the, sanction of the Crown. . . .-. , The Government has been defeated onthe Irish Church question. i On the 2nd inst. Mr Gladstone gave; notice of motion that the House would; refuse supplies till the Irish 'Church resolutions had been settled. On the 4th Mr Disraeli announced to the House that he had tendered his resignation to the Queen, who had declined to accept it, and had authorised a dissolution. On; the same night, explanations were made in the House of Lords. These varied from those afforded by Disraeli, as to the dissolution. On the 7th inst. discrepancies were discussed in the House

of Commons, amidst considerable excitement. Disraeli's explanation was regarded as very unsatisfactory. ;,•,.;-.,-■ , ; ■ Large meetings have been held through?; out the country in support of the ; action of Mr Gladstone. Disraeli raises, in retaliation, the " JSTo Popery" cry. ; Lord Derby opposed G-ladstone's resolutions in the House of Peers,' and made a fiery speech. On the Bfch May Gladstone's last resolations was. carried in. the House of .Commons. The Government intimate, their intention to offer an energetic opposition to the bill to be founded on Gladstone's resolutions'. ; ' ' ' ~ '"■ i:l ' ' '' , The .Fenians Burke and . Shaw were , foumd guilty, "and have receivea ihd ; sentences respectively ! of fiteen and seven years.^- - ■ • ■■'••■'-. ■'■ '■ > -; '■ - •■- : ; 'f ■. A reduction of the Prussian army if

■; contemplated. '\ ! ; ;; ;; : -;• • si I The submarine- cable from Malta to Alexandria has been repaired., • • . ; j The capital has been subscribed for tlia construction of the new Indo-European telegraph.; „-.. iVi ....... „ :; , „, ■'-.. ,- r ..j'.-:. ■. } - The race for the Two Thousand Guineas has been run,' ' Moslem and Formosa ran a dead heat, and .the stakes, ? have been divided. A protest has been uiitcred, ami Muhlujlu talked dyer. Conservative candidates have been elected, for Bristol, Grantham, : South, Lanarkshire, Leamington/ Oockurinouthy and East Kent. < - - j --- - - -..i .»-. The Becond .reading, of j the .AboUtida of the .Compulsory Church Bates Bill has been carried in the House of Lords. Obituary.— The Bishop of flerefordi' General W. Booth, Colonel T. 'M'Q'oun.