EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 97, 9 August 1879, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(From the latest Colonial Papers.) Loxoo.v, July 3. A colliery explosion lias occurred at Blantyiv, causing the death of 27 persons. English harvest prospects are unfavourable. Crops partially damaged by excessive rain. July i. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to a question in the house of Commons, last night, saiil that the estimated expenditure on the Zulu war was £300,000 per month. The Daily News publishes a telegram, dated Cape Town, June 25, detailing Cetewayo's overtures for peace. Ih" High Commissioner and Comman-der-in-Chief have offered to grant an armistice on certain conditions, pending the arrival from London of the terms oi peace fixed by the British Government. Strong hopes are entertained that peace negotiations will terminate the war. Diplomatic correspondence iu reference to tho abdication of ti:e Knedive shows that England and France accepted the responsibility of the lia-incial administration of Egypt, July 5. Sir Arthur Gor.ion ha sailed for Lev.iKa.i.ji. It is rai. ,j.eu [.hat a fortnight's armistice wiii be declared i.. Zuiulaud. Tho arrival of mossongers from Cotcwayo at the British head-quarters is confirmed. Advices from Capo Town state that Colonel Newdegate had cleared the country of the enemy, between Gajtijora and Spak Rivers. The troop-ship Orontos, with the body of the Prince Imperial on board, has sailed from the Cape. The House of Commons, last night, without division, agreed to a motion for an address to the Crown for a Royal Commission on the distress in the agricultural districts. July 7. A long and animated discussion took place in the House of Commons relative to the Government Army Discipline Bill, the Government yielding to the determined opposition of the Irish members to flogging, agreed to its virtual abolition. Later Cape Town news reports the advance of tho troops from previous position. Colonel Rowlands is now commanding Pearson's force advancing on Fort Chelmsford, and has almost effected a junction with Colonel Wood, who is likewise advancing. The reported nrmistico with the Zulus is unconfirmed, but offensive operations are suspended pending the receipt of a reply from Cetcwayo.

July '.). The wheat crop has suffered considerably in France. The French people will require to .purchase ">00,u00,000 killograines of foreign wheat. The latest news from the Capo reports that a Court of Inquiry, into tho conduct of Lieutenant Carey, regarding the Prince Imperial is to be held. A Committee of the House of ComI mons recommended the raising of the I standard of admission for Colonial wines, ! probably to :)1, leaving the duty in tho hands of the Government. Another long and animated debute took place iu tho House of Commons last night, relating to Hogging in the army, resulting in a split in the Liberal party. The motion was withdrawn on a division by 7t> against .'>o. It is decided to Appoint a Minister for (orameroe and Ajrioaltuie.holdimj a »uol in the Cabinet. I ;';■ V.' Ail 1 .v. / am ,s aiuut:.. b« ttonltu

A largo section of the Liberals arc dissatisfied with Hartington'a cautious policy. The ItadicaU nkj(r. Gladstone to lead tlio Liberals.

Several disorderly scenes have occurred in the House of Commons.

Heavy rains have damaged the crops, and prayer* tor fine weatuer have been ordered in England. Cape Town news to June 24 states that General Crcalock reached Fort Chelmsford on the 10th. On the 20th a ge>...i.; advance to.k place to L'udalize Elver, which was bridged by our troops on the following u..y, with but slight oppoiitkm. .'ii'. PKT£JtSBC£O, July 7. Notwithstanding the vigorous measures taken by the (joveruuieiit, the revolutionary party continues to issue proclamations tj the inhabitants. July 8. Areoteuk-Otchwam, in Siboria, has boen partially destroyed by fire. It is supposed to have been the work of an iuceudiary. Bbru.v, July 3. The Protectionist and Conservative policy of Prince Bismarck has caused the resignation of the Vice-President of the Prussian Council, of the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Public Instruction anil Ecclesiastical Affairs. July 4. The German protectionist tariff commences on October Ist. July 7. Tire German Government, in reply to a despatch from the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, expressed disapproval of Captain Verrer's [Von Werner's] intervention iu the internal affairs of Samoa. July 8. The iu trod uct ion of the new tariff is postponed till January. Home, July ,1. The Ministry have resigned in consequence of a defeat in the Chamber, which is considered tantamount to a voto of want of confidence. July 7. The party of Italian emigrants will sail in September for New Guinea.