EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 90, 21 June 1879, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(From the latest Colonial Papers.) London, May 18. The Russian column, estimated at 20,000 men, which advanced on Merv, has met with a disastrous cheek. The expedition was attacked by the Turcomans, who mustered in large numbers to oppose its advance, and who, after severe fighting, succeeded in routing the Russian army. May 21. The people of Macedonia are in a state of armed insurrection, and have refused tho terms offered by the Turkish Government with a view to the pacification of the country. The insurgents demand autonomy. Lists have been opened to-day in the garrisons of Chatham and Portsmouth for enrolling tho names of men willing to volunteer for service in the regiments now under orders for the Cape. Active preparations are being made for tho despatch of further reinforcements to Natal, and the Indian troop ship Euphrates is now being got ready for sea. It is officially announced that tho German Government has decided to suspended the sales of silver, which it has been making for some time past, owing to the introduction of a gold coinage, which has had so great an influence in the depreciation of that metal. May 24. In the House of Commons to-night, the lion. E, Seanhopo, Under Secretary of State for India, submitted the Indian budget for the current year. In doing so he announced that a considerable saving of expenditure was to be effected, and further, that it was the intention of of the Indian Government to issue at an early date a loan in Englond which would not exceed £5,000,000 sterling.

In the House of Commons this evening thu Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to a question regarding the actual position of affairs in connection with the Turco-Greek frontier, stated that her Majesty's Government were still urging the Turkish Government to accept the recommendations made by the Berlin Congress for the settlement of tho question.

Negotiations for the treaty of peace between Great Britain and Afghanistan still continue with Yakoob khan, but plenipotentiaries have as yet failed to come to a final settlement as to certain details of the peace conditions. The main bases of the treaty, however, have been agreed upon.

May -25. The Times of to-;l«y publishes a leading article in which it announces that Great Britain is prepared to guarantee to tlin new Ameer a large annual subsidy (stated to be £120,000), contingent upon tbe strict execution on his part of tbe treaty of peace about to be concluded. Further advices have been received to-day from the seat of war in South Africa, dated Cape Town, the Bth inst., announcing that the British advance into Zululaud would commence in a few days.

Colonel Evelyn Wood, whose ralumn was still stationed at Kauibula, was to commence offensive operations Qjainst the Zulus immediately after being Joined by Lord Chelmsford and his stati d that place. It is further announced from the Capo that much sickness prevails aiuoujj tile British troops stationed at Inyozanf, between the J'ugela River and Port Burnford, on the Zulu coast, at which place on entrenched camp was recently formed, after tho rolief of Colonel Pcurslu at Ekowe. v

Tho following gentlemen have boon created Knights Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George: Baron von Mueller Major-General Ward Hon. Edward Stafford Hon. William Fox Tho following have boon created companions of the same order : Colonel Scratchier, R.E. Mr. Christopher Rolloston Hon. Patrick A. Jennings, M.L.C. Dr. George Bonthaiu Major Edward Richardson Mr. William Laruaob. [N.B.—The above message has boon delayed in transmission.j May 20. In the House of Commons this evening, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Northcote, made a statement announcing on behalf of the Government, that after n full and a.ixious consideration of the state of affairs in South Africa, tbe Cabinet had decided to re-cull Sir Bartle Frere (Governor and High Commissioner) and Lord Chelmsford (Commander-in-Chief), and to appoint General Sir Garuet Wolscloy, hitborto High Commissioner in the island of Cyprus, to the Supremo military «nu civil command in Natal, the TrunsVualj and the district* adjoining those colonies) us well as at the seat of war. / After the statement made by the Cluinccltar of the Exchequer tliisuv ling the .Secretary of State tor tljo Col rite*. ' replying, to a quiutioii, nuid that Sn far-

net Wolscley would be the bearer of instructions to entertain proposals of peace which might be made to him by Cetewayo, provided he had good reasons to believe that such overture* were of a bona fide and honourable character. May 27. The treaty of peace between Oreat Britain and Afghanistan has been signed to-day. It Is understood that its provisions are of a nature likely to prove permanently satisfactory to both countries.