EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 77, 26 April 1879, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(From tin.! latest Colonial Papers.) London-, February 15. Since tho tidings of the terrible disaster to tho British forces in their campaign Against the Zulus came to liand, there has been a universal feeling of uneasiness throughout England, as to the safety of Natal. This anxiety has, however, been allayed by the arrival of tho Capo mail steamer with news up to the 4th February, and the details of fresh engagements between Her .Majesty's troops ami the Zulus, and in all cases the Zulus have been defeated. Natal is now secure, and all danger removed. A manifesto has been issued by tho Emperor of Russia announcing ,y the ratification of the definite Treaty uuvle with Turkey on the Bth iustaut. **" February 17. The members of the Victorian Embossy reached London this evening in good health. No particular incident worthy of noto occtintid on tbo voyage. They have taken up their quarters at Westminister l'alaco Hotel. A sculling match fur the Championship Cup and .CiiOO a-.sidu between W.

Elliot and J. Hlggins Ux>k place on the Tyue to-day. Elliot defeated Higgins easily.

Lord Napier of Mugdala, summoned from (Jibrultar, has arrived in Loudon. A Homo Ruler has l>oen elected foi Cork, by a large majority. Lord Napier has been recalled from Gibraltar, and appointed to bo comman-der-in-chief of the British forces against the Zulus.

General Lord Chelmsford has arrived at Maritzburg, the capital, having come in from the front to consult with the authorities on the question of its defence.

Advices from the Cape stato that General Wood's column was attacked by 4000 Zulus on the 24th ultimo, but the enemy were repulsed, the victory of the British being complete, with only trilling loss. General Wood is now falling back upon Utrecht.

The first reinforcement of troops for the Cane leR England to-day. in the new revision of the German tariff, wool is allowed to be imported free; but it is proposed to tax copper, February 27. The extraordinary credit vote asked for was unanimously named, The estimates for the navy are .t'10,.")G2,.">00, shewing a decrease of ill.".0,000.

The Czar considers measures should be adopted to protect the inhabitants of North Balkans from inquiry before the Russians evacuate.

An obstaelu to the fulfilment of the Berlin Treaty has arisen. Russia objects to Turkey occupying the Balkans. She thinks that, after the evacuation, herself and the other Powers should watch the Bulgarians. The colours of the 24th wero found under the dead bodies of British officers.

The killed, wounded, and missing nt the battle of Naundula amounted to 1501) British and natives. Shore Ali died in Turkestan of internal gangrene. Yahoob Khan has notified the laet to Lord Lytton, and asked for a suspension of hostilities, also a treaty of peace and alliance. February 28. The Zulus are concentrating to invade Natal. The River Tulza is unfordable. The outbreak of tho plague at St. Petersburg is untrue. February 2!). The Queen visits Italy, incognito, at the end of March, for a short stay. March .'!. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, iu a despatch, reports his opinion that the dismissals were not temporay, as Sir G. Bowen reported, as be signed orders of permanent removal. Had Sir G. Bowen acted with this view when he asked Ministers to partiallly retract their steps he probably would have overcome financial difficulty without recourse to measures involving grave objection.

March 4. The failure of Mr. George Fraud Dickinson, for £OO,OOO, is announced.

Great disatisfaction lias taken jilace owing to the settlement of the frontier of Greece according to the Berlin treaty. The Greeks invaded Thessally, and destroyed a village, which was obstinately defended. .Several persons fell. The Russians may, in consequence, delay evacuating Turkey. The American President has vetoed the Bill for the Restriction of Chinese Immigration. March 5. Prince Teifik, hereditary Prince, has been appointed President of the Council of Ministers,and Miliar has been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. .March li. Yakoob Khan is deserted, and unable to quell the tribal disputes about the succession. Mo has retired to lierat. The proclamation of the death of Shero Ali and the succession of Yakoob Khan caused an outbreak in Afghanistan. The chiefs were successful, aud Yakoob fled. It is rumoured that there is a serious quarrel between the Czar and the Czarowitcb. The Czarewitch has quitted tho palace in consequence of the quarrel with the Czar. The London papers of to-dav violently attack the conduct of Lord Chelmsford, Commander of tho British forces, in Natal and demaud his removal from that position. •'','. March 7. Negotiations for tho purchase of the Australian cable for use in connecting Aden and Natal have been broken off temporarily, but a favourable issuo is not expected. Tho Board of Trade returns of the exports for tho last m-uth continue very unfavourable.

A treaty has been concluded between Germany and Samoa. The text of the treaty is kept secret. Tho land settlement is postponed. Tho position is unchanged by the treaty, Civil war is imuiiuent.

March 10. Latest Capo news states that tho general situation at Natal is unchanged. Colonel Pearson has repulsed an attack by a large number of Zulus on his position at Ekowe. Tho enemy was defeated with enormous loss. The hostile attitude of thu native tribes in the Transvaal causes great anxiety.

March 11. The Turkish troops attacked the Creek baiid.who recently destroyed** village in Thessaly. Culy a few Creeks escaped.

Ross defeated Kuiinett in the Thames sculling match. In the House of Commons the Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to a question, said the Indian Government was on the eve of active communications with Yukoob Khan, even it they had not iheady commenced.

The Polytechnio Institution was only parthlly destroyed by fire.

March 12. The Judical Committee of the Privv Council have dismissed the appeal, Bathurst versus Macphei-son, with casts. The Turkish army dispersed the Greeks in Thessaly with great slaughter.

A Russian circular note lias been issued to the Powers, pointing out certain questions regarding the Treaty of Berlin which are still undecided, and may lead to fresh local difficulties. •

Four Russian officials have been murdered by Nihilists. There have been serious political riots. Strong measures of repression have been adopted. March]:). The Victoriun liOan has been a great success. It was subscribed about double. Two and three-quarter millions at it!) and upwards. There were 1200 tenders. The marriage of tho Duke of Connaught was celebrated to-day. The Queen was present. In the House of Commons to-day, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in replying to a question, said a Manchester firm had despatched ammunition to Mozambique, but the British Government had taken steps to prevent the same reaching the Zulus. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to another question, said the British Government was disposed to recommend to the Sultan an Englishman to administer the finances of Turkey if oue were afcked for. March 14. An important discovery has been made at aliddlesoorough, which greatly reduces the cost of producing steel. Tenders are invited for a cable to the Cape. A committee has been apjiointed by tho Minister of Agriculture and Commerce in Paris for the Sydney International Exhibition. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs announced that he was informed the arms in tho ship which left Manchester, were for Mozambique, and not intended for the Zulus.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, iu reply to questions, said it was not intended to supersede Lord Chelmsford. A despatch by the Marquis of Salisbury, dated tho 26th of January, has been published. It states that the action of Russian officials in Bulgaria and Roumelia had been contrary to tho Treaty of Berlin, and has aggravated the difficulties of the present situation. The despatch urges the immediate separation of Bulgaria and Roumelia. March I.'). Sir Michael Hicks-Beach will ask Mr. Berry for further information. No definite reply will be given till the discussion on Mr. Mills's motion. It is unlikely the Government will introduce an Enabling Act without knowing Mr. Berry's subsequent policy at the same timo the Government might entertain a proposal for the reform of the Council, by making it a mixed elective and nominee body. Mr. Mills'sresolution is fixed to be brought on Ist of April.

The Saturday Review says iu regrad to Mr. Berry's mission that fearing the system of '• tacks " may bo renewed, unless the Victorian constitution is altered, it approves of the proposition of a nominee ('ouncil and thinkstbatSirMichael HicksBeach might usefully mediate in that matter.

Mr. Berry met Earl Granville, the Earl of Derby, Mr. Gladstone, anil Mr. Lowe at the dinner given by tho Chairman of the Eastern Extension Telegraphing Company, Mr. Berry was anxious to be credited with moderation. A warm argument took place, Earl Granville protesting.

Mr. Kerry will bo presented at the Prince of Wales's levee on Monday.

General Kauffinan has resigned the Governorship of Turkestan for being held responsible for the manifestations of Russian sympathy with Afghanistan prior to the war.

Uneasiness Is caused by tho belief that the Russians arc advancing on Merv. The latest Cape news is to tho effect that the Zulus were inactive.

In consequence of the arrival of tho frigate Shall with reinforcements from St. Helena, the Commander-in-Chief has decided to send a relieving force to Colonel Pearson at Ekowc.

The mails per s.s. Kent via Brindisi, were delivered yestenloy. The Victorian Embassy has rieon successful. The Constitutional question has been settled.

Tho Ambassadors officially dinod with Sir M. llicks-Beoeh. Mr. (iladstono, Mr. Bright, Mr. Lowe.Mr. Villiors, I/irdDerby, Lord .Shaftesbury, and Mr. Clifford were present.

_ Mr. Childers has accepted tho AgoutGenoralship of Victoria.

I , March 10*. Iho reinforcements which have arrived at Nutal have boon oitlcrod Uj tho front, as Oeneral Lord Chelmsford proposes to advuuee and punish to Zulus. Throe thousand Italians under Monotti Garibaldi sail in autumn to form a settlement in Now Guinea.

Quannteeo is over in Astrahan, except in one villugo.

s March 17. The Secretary of State for the Colonies i- pimmfd Ueaors. Berry mid Pearson n to-day at the levee of the Priuce of 11 Wales. R The Prince of Wales has accepted the t ['residency of the London Commission >f the Melbourne International Exhibi- ) (ion. The l! 000 Italians, under the leader, ship of Menotti (jaril>alili who propose. v to sail for New Guinea in the autumn, | to found a settlement on the southern j const, have applied for the British assent to the movement, which has been Bought 8 through ihe Italian Ambassador. Cuing to the action of Mr. Ohi)ders 1 it is probable that the House of Commons - will discuss the Victorian difficulty at an i earlier date than was anticipated. i Mr. Berry is urging the Cable Company to reduce tho rates for Pi-ess and - Government messages earlier than was i agreed on. • I A scamlulous scene occurred in the House of Commons, owing to Home Rule opposition to the Army Estimates. J Serious [larty riots occurred at Belfast . on St. Patrick's Day. Tho interference t of tin' military was necessary. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has fixed the debate in tho House of Commons ; on tho Zulu War to take iilaco on March i 27. Lord Blatchford, in the House of Lords . has given notice of a motion ooudemniug i the Zulu war. i Two thousand Lives have been lost by - floods at Szegedin, Hungary. 1 March 14. 1 King Alfonso of Spain has been betrothed to a sister of the late Queen Mor- . cedes. The Sultan has entertained tho . officers of tho British fleet atagrandbau- . quet. i Victorian debentures are risingabovotho demand. March 18. Some uneasiness is caused by inovei inont of Russian troops to the north of Afghanistan, were by latest reports they • were advancing on Merv. Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of Fiji, i has been entertained at a dinner. There i were present Earl Granville, Sir M. HicksI Beach, Lord Selborne. They all com- ■ mended Sir A Gordon's energy in Fiji. . | From remarks made by Sir Michael , j Hicks-Beach, it is inferred that Sir Arthur Gordon will not return to Fiji. j In the House of Commons to-day, the Chancellor of the Exchequor, in reply to a question, said there was no immediate prospect of an increase of tho revenue of Great Britain. The Secretary of State for War, in reply to a question, said he had forwarded the Queen's message expressing confidence in Lord Chelmsford without consulting his colluay les. Sr. Petkusbuko, March 11. A Russian official statement is published, stating that the plague has disappeared from Astrakan. Bkhi.ix, March 8. The Gorman Parliament has rejected the Parliamentary Discipline Bill. ROME, March 8. Sentence of death has been passed on tho perpetrator of the attempted assassii nation of the King of Italy on November - 17 last. Alexandra, March 11. Tho New Ministry has been formed under the presidency of the Hereditary Priuce Tewlik. The portfolios of Finance and Minister for Works are un--1 changed. Constantinople, March 11. The British ironclad squadron returns to Besika Bay in a few days. The Turkish troops have reoccupiod Adrianople. (C.U'k Town), February 11. The British act strictly on tho defensive. The frontier is quiet. Tho colours of the 24th Regiment have been recovered. The Coers of Transvaal refuse to assist the British. March 2. Tho British and French Governments have resolved to declare to the Khedive of Egypt that Mibar Pasha's retention of tho presidency of the Council of Egyptian Minister*, which office hereceutlyresigned, is indispensable. Tho late reinforcements started for the Cape to-day. Bombay, March:). The Indian Government have decided to encourago the emigration of coolies to Fiji for plantation labour. Pauls, March 5. Tho Camber of Deputies, to-day, votod an additional 250.000 francs for tho representation of Franco at, the Sydney International Exhibition. March 7. Ihe reports of the Chamber of Deputies committees demand the impeachment of tho Duo do Broglie Roohement Cabinet. The Government refuses to,aocept tho conclusion of tho Chamber's committee. March 10. Tho French Chamber of Deputies will probably reject the motion for tho impeachmontoftheßroglio Ministry, because Marshal MaeMuhou deinauds to bo included in the imjteaehmout if thu motion is carried. March 13. Ihe Chamber of Deputies rejected the resolution for thu impoachmeul of the Broglio-Fourtou Cabinet by a largo majority. The Govornmont intimated they would naju if the motion were

March 14. The Minister of Agriculture has appointed a committee to arrange for the proper represe.ntutioii of France at the Sydney Exhibition.