EUROPEAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 37, 16 February 1884, Page 5

EUROPEAN.

London, February 6.— ln the House of Commons yesterday afternoon, the amendment proposed by Mr Bourke to the Address-in-Reply, condeinning the Egyptian policy of the Government, was under consideration, but failed to meet with much support, and was rejected by a substantial majority prior to the dinnerhour adjournment, London, February 6. — In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Gladstone announced that the Government had ordered that measures should immediately be taken to reinforce the Indian squadron at Souakim, : under Admiral Hewitt, with a view to the protection of that town from the land side by a force of marines and sailors. London, February 6. — The Victorian gunboats have reached Spit Head. They behaved splendidly during a very rough passage, making an average of 8 knots an hour. The division on the Right Hon. Mr Bourkes amendment on the Address-in-Reply was entirely a catch one, being taken during the dinner hour, when Sir Stafford Northcote, instead of standing as was expected, astounded the house by calling for a division. The amendment was lost by 77 to 20. The only notable feature in the debate was Mr Bourkes condemnation of the system of protectorate. The Address-in-Reply elicited no amendment in the House of Lords, and was agreed to after a brief debate. Dr. Moran, Bishop of Ossary, has been officially mtified of his promotion to the Archiepiscopal See of New South Wales, and is now awaiting the final orders from the Vatican. London, February 6. — The Admiralty are inquiring into the legality of the Victorian gun boats proceeding to their destination as men-of-war.j

London, February 7. In its issue this morning, the ' ' Daily News " publishes a telegram from its corres pondent in Upper Egypt stating that the tribes in the neighbourhood ot Korosko have revolted, and that Gordon Pasha is unable to proceed further on his journey from Korosko to Khartoum. The Egyptian troops at Souakim are reported to be mutinous, and inclined to fraternise with the townspeople. A general rising is feared. Five hundred sailors and marines on board the troopship Orontes have been ordered to Souakim. The Government has also ordered the transport of troops from Aden to the Egyptian ports on the Gulf of Aden for garrison duty. The Transport Department at the Admiralty is busily engaged in preparing for possible requirements for the conveyance of troops. London, February 7. — Sir Stafford North - cote has given notice in the House of Commons of his intention to move on Tuesday next, the 12th inst. :— " That the recent disasters to the Egyptians in Soudan are the results of the wavering policy of the Government in connection with Egypt." The Marquis of Salisbury, in the House of Lords, gave notice of a similar motion to that of Sir Stafford Northcote, and the discussion is also fixed for Tuesday. It has transpired that the Mediteranean squadron under Admiral Lord John Hay, has been ordered to proceed without delay to Souakin. A force of twelve hundred marines also embark at Portsmouth this week for the same destination. The " Daily News " publishes a telegram announcing that Gordon Pasha has been captured and made prisoner by the tribos in Karosko, who are now in revolt. The Bank of England to-day raised the rate of discount from 3 per cent, to 3£ per cent. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Limited) report under date February 6th :—: — Wool : Market dull. Coarse crossbred, market easier. Up to date 226,000 bales have arrived. 14,000 bales have been sent to the manufacturing districts direct. Wheat : Market has a downward tendency. Adelaide is worth 46s per 4961b5, and New Zealand 41s per 4961b5. Tallow : Market quiet. Mutton is worth 43s and beef 39s per cwt. Leather : Market quiet. Best sides are worth lO^perlb. N.Z. hemp .-Market quiet. Fine is worth £27 per ton. London, February 7. — The Government have absolutely refused to restore Cetewayo. It is reported that Hanlan is about to visit England. In the appeal case before the Privy Council, the Union Company v. the Melbourne Harbour Trust, the appeal has been dismissed. The death is announced of Mr Alpheus Todd, the well-knoAvn Parliamentary writer. London, February 8. — Severe floods have occurred at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and fully 10,000 persons have been rendered homeless. An immense amount of damage to property is reported. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury will move for the appointment ot a commission to inquire as to the best measures for housing the poor of London. London, February 8. — Two battalions of infantry have been ordered to proceed trom Aldershot to Malta, and Gibraltar, where they will be held in readiness to be despatched to Souakim should their services be required. The telegrams published by the "Daily News " in its issue yesterday saying that Gordon Pasha was a captive in the hands of therebels,near Korosko, havebeen authentically contradicted, and the report is stated to be withont foundation. A Press Association message says : Colonel Gordon has not yet reached Aboohamed, a city at which he is due. Most of the provincial Liberal papers condemn the irresolute Egyptian policy of the Government. The statement that the Mediterranean squadron had been ordered to rendezvous at Souakim is incorrect. The squadron is not about to proceed to the Red Sea, but a force of 1,200 marines is to be drafted from the ships under Lord John Hay's command for service at Souakim, and will be despatched thither at an early date. A further force of 800 marines, now stationed at Portsmouth, is also under orders to proceed to the Bame destination. It is considered probable that Baker Pasha's force will be recalled and disbanded. Commenting upon the recent engagement at Trinkitat, the United Ireland newspaper is jubilant at the success of the False Proohet, ElMahdi.

London, February 9. The " Pall Mall Gazette " says that circumstances demand that England should assume the absolute government of Egypt for a fixed period. There are still garrisons in the Soudan exceeding thirty thousand men menaced by the rebels, and the Radical journal argues that it is England's duty to rescue them. The " Spectator" demands that the Government snould now throw aside all further pretences, and assume the direct Government of Egypt. The "Tunes" and " Pall Mall Gazette " severely censure the Gladstone Ministry lor shutting their eyes to obvious facts in the vain hape of avoiding responsibilities which all Europe lays at their door.

Mr D. Macfarlane, M.P. for Carlow, has given notice for Tuesday of a motion in favour of the immediate establishment of a protectorate in Egypt. Owing to the important character of Egyptian affairs now, public interest is almost entirely centred in them, and little attention is given to the domestic policy of the Government. The idea of an Egyptian protectorate is widely and iniluentially supported. London, February 9. — In the House of Commons to-day a debate commenced upon a motion by Mr Parnell for a vote of consure upon the Irish Executive, but the discussion was subsequently adjourned without a division being taken. London, February 9. — News from the Cape roports the death of Cetewayo, suddenly, from heart diseaso London, February 9. — Tho creditors of Messrs Young and Lark, Australian merchants, have agreed to accept payment in full, extending over a period of two years. The London Chartered Bank of Australia ranks as a creditor for £190,000. London, February 10. — The "Observer" publishes a telegram stating that Gordon Pasha has arrived safely at Berber. London, February 11. — Tho cargo of frozen mutton by steamship Liguria from Melbourne (December 29), comprising 4,330 carcases, arrived here in good condition. The first portion was placed on the market to-day, and fetched sgd per Ib. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Bradlaugh appeared at table and swore himself in as a member, and then with- ! drew from the chamber. When he had retired, Mr Gladstone rose and stated that if a motion to that effect was carried, Government would prosermte, and test the legality of Mr Bradlaugh's admission. Mr Evelyn Ashley, the Colonial Undersecretary, in reply to a question, stated that no decision has yet been come to on the report of the Western Pacific Commission. The decision of the Sydney Convention had, he said, materially modified the position of affairs. London, February 11. — The death is announced of Mr Thomas Chenary, the wellknown Orientalist and journalist, aged SS. Those of the Phcvnix Park murderers who were convicted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment have been removed to the prison at Chatham. Kong Kong, February S. — News has reached here from Tonquin that an engagement has been fought between the French troops and a large body of rebels in tho province of Sontay. The latter were com pletely defeated, and were dispersed with considerable slaughter, the French loss being, it is stated, comparatively small.

Cairo, February 4. General Baker has since embarked the remainder of his army on five ships and proceeded with them to Sou kit. The enemy's loss was small, but the Egyptian army lost two thousand men, and all their baggage and guns were captured. General Baker and Colonels Sartorious and Buridley narrowly escaped being taken prisoners. Seven English and ten foreign officers are missing. The immediate result of the defeat has i been massacres at Sinkar and Tokar. Gordon Pasha's safety is doubtful, and the fall of Khartoum is likely to follow. A force of marines have been landed at Souakim. This further Egyptian disaster is likely to seriously damage Mr Gladstone's credit in the coming general election. Catko, February 5. — Further details to hand from Souakim regarding the defeat of Baker Pasha's force by the Arabs, show that the Egyptian troops, of which his force largely consisted, proved utterly untrustworthy, ar.d when cailed upon to advance against the enemy refused to fight, and fled ignominiously. The European and Turkish detach % ients stood their ground, but were overpo red and outnumbered, and were cut to pu ces. Much alarm was felt at Souakim at the success of the followers of El Mahdi, and a force of marines was landed from the British vessels lying off the town, in order to prevent a panic occurring among the inhabitants. The defeat of Baker Pasha's troops has rendered the relief of the beleaguered garrison at Sinkat and Toka hopeless. Cairo, February 6.— Baker Pasha telegraphs from Souakin that his assailants near Tokar numbered under a thousand. Despatches have been received from Baker Pasha stating that the disaffection among the natives in the neighbourhood of Souakim is increasing, and that the rebellion is spreading rapidly among the desert Arabs. It is expected that an attack will be made on Souakim, but Baker Pasha hopes to be able to defeat the enemy with the troops under his command. The despatches also state that at the recent battle near Toka the Arabs lost 600 killed besides wounded. Cairo, February 8. — Latest intelligence from Souakim states that Baker Pasha mistrusts the troops under his command at that place, and is expected soon to be recalled to Egypt. Cairo, February 9.— Baker Pasha has been recalled from Souakim by the Khedive, and Admiral Hewitt, of the East Indian squadron, has been invested with command of the troops stationed there. The town has been declared to be in a state of siege. Cairo, February 9. — Telegrams from Souakim state that messengers have arrived there from Sinkat, the Governor of the latter town having sent urgent appeals for help, the garrison and inhabitants of the town being in extremis. It is, however, impossible to send assistance, and the fate of the town is considered hopeless. A Press Association message says the Governor has offered to surrender to the rebels. Cairo, February 9. — Traders from Nubia report having met Gordon Pasha between Korosko and Aboo-Hammed. He was proceeding to Khartoum.

Cairo, February 10. Gordon Pasha has not yet arrived at Berber, and the statements to the contrary have proved premature. He is not expected to reach Berber until the 17th instant. It has transpired that the appointment of Admiral Hewitt to the command at the Souakim was made by the Khedive at the request of the Government. A full brigade of Egyptian troops is now under orders to proceed to the Soudan. At the first cataract on the Nile, on the Nubian frontier, preparations will be made with the view of opposing the advance of the rebels into Egypt proper should this be attempted. The troops will be officered throughout by Englishmen, and the force will be despatched with the least possible delay. Cairo, February 11. — Intelligence is to hand to-day that Major-General Gordon arrived yesterday at Berber.