["Agl" Specials vin the Bluit.]

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 34, 26 January 1884, Page 3

[ " Agl " Specials yin the Bluit.]

Tho False Prophet's Programme. London, January 9th. The brother-in-law of FA Mahdi, the fatae prophet, has been captured by • the Egyptian troops. He <-tate-> that El Mahcli will not oppose the Turkish (Jovcrnment if they take bupieme control over the Soudan, bur that both he and his followers are determined to expel all foreigners from Central Africa.

The Agents-General and the Secretary for War. Arrangements have been made by the Agents-Ueneral for an interview on Friday with the Secretary of State for War. During the interview the Agent^-lieneral will endeavour to enlist Mi 1 Chilclers's cooperation in the Annexation movement, and in an effort "which is being made to secure an increase of the number of warships on the Australian station.

A French Canard. The report that a treaty of peace has been concluded between France and Madagascar by which the former secured possession of the northern portion of the island has not been confirmed, and i* now regarded as very doubtful. The death is announced of Chunder, .sen., the \\ ell-known Bhuddist scholar and propagandist. Baker Pa^ha, who was despatched to Souakin at the head of an expeditionary force, has arrived at Massowah, a town on the west coast of the lied Sea. and is now holding a parley w ith the King of Aby^inia, who has also marched upon the place. In view of the active preparations u Inch the French are making tor proceeding w ith the war in Tonquin and the probability of an attack on Canton, the capital of Southern China, the Chinese authorities have determined to blockade theChue Kaing liver with torpedoes.

The proposed Treaty with Spain. The British Government have resolved to disregard the rejection by the Council of Spanish Ministers of the proposed commercial treaty between Great Bi'itain and Spain, and to appeal to the Cortes* to ratify the tieaty. The principal provision of the treaty it. that Spanish wines of HO degrees proof \\ ill be admitted -into Great Biit&in at the i are ot Is per gallon, if England is placed by Spain on the footing of the most favoured nation.

Duty on Australian Wines. The Agents-Generals of the Australian colonies have received an official note from the Chancellor of the Exchequei with respect to representations recently made on behalf of the Austialian colonies for extending the concession granted to Spain, uhoi-e wines are to be admitted at the reduced duty of Is per gallon. This reduction is also to apply to Australian A\ines of 30 degiee-. pioof. Mr OKildeis, how ever, declines to extend the Is duty on wines of 32 degrees proof, but he has promised to consider Mr Smith's proposal for the adoption of a sliding scale, and charging duty on colonial u ines according to their proof. London, January 13. — Fears aie entertained that the revolutionary ioice of El Mahdi, the false piophet, will overtake and massacte fugitives from Khartoum. The evacuation, of Khartoum by the Egyptian troops i^ proceeding. The projected commercial treaty between Spain and Great Britain which the Spanish Council of Ministers refused to ratify has been submitted to the Cortes, and favourably received. Earl Granville, Secretary of State for the Foreign Department, has approved of the agreement entered with between shipowners and Baron de Lesseps as representative of the Suez Canal Company.

Blockade of the Canton River. It is now officially announced that the Canton River has been effectually blockaded by the Chinese authorities with torpedoes.