EUROPEAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 93, 14 March 1885, Page 3

EUROPEAN.

London, March 3. —Mr Gladstone is at present confined to his room by a feverish cold. A later telegram says : — Mr Gladstone is still in a weak condition, but his health is improving. The German Press states that Earl Granville is sowing the seeds of distrust between Franc and Germany The Melbourne Harbour Trust's steamer Gannet, which has been laid up at Malta for repairs for a considerable time past, has ! sailed for Melbourne. Mess re Young and Lark, Australian merchants, who failed some time ago, have made an offer ot 15s in the f , in monthly payments extencing for a period of two years, on the balance of debts due by them. This offer has been accepted by most of the creditors. The steamer Braemer, bound from Glasgow to Port Chalmers, which was dismasted and put into Stornoway, has been towed into Greenock for repairs. la the House of Lords to-day, Earl Granville stated that the ■■oveinment had received information that the Russians in Central Asia have occupied the Gulfikar Pass of Hindu Kush mountains, and have advanced within a few miles of Panjdeh, in Afghanistan. Sir Peter Lumeden, the British Commissioner on the Frontier Question, has advised the Afghans to resist any further advance on the part of the Russians. His Lordship added that the Government have urged the Russian Government to order its commanders to halt, and make no further encroachment on Afghan territory. L »ndon, March 4. — The Anglo German Commission to adjudicate upon the claims of German subjects in Fiji, and upon the working ot the Western Pacific, will as semble without delay. Hon J. B. Thurs ton, Colonial Secretary of Fiji, will act as the British Commissioner, London, March 4. — General Grover Cleveland was installed as Piesident of the United States to-day The frozen meat ex Orient steamer Australia has arrived in good condition The annexation of the teirito'.y adjacent to Zanzibar ousts the Glasgow Colonising Company, Mho previously occupied it. The Kussians have ceased trotn further encroachments in Afghanistan, and Im ve been directed to avoid any conflict with the natives. Earl Uranville has approved of the action of Sir Peter Lumsden, the British Commissioner, in advising the Afghans to resist. Russia professes a pacific attitude in the matter. Kassala has fallen into the hand? of the rebels, and 600 of the garrison have been massacred. The inhabitants «ere reduced to great 3traits through famine before the town was captured by the rebels. An engagement with the rebels under Osman Digna is expected tv take place on the 20th instant. The native troops in Hyderabad, Bhopal, Putteala, and Jhend volunteer for service in the Soudan. Diplomatic relations between England and Germany are at present somewhat strained, in consequence of the contents of the English blue book and the German whitebook on colonial affairs recently issued. Prince Bismarck, it is understood, com plains of the publication in the blue book of a report of an interview which took place between himself and Sir Edward Malet, the British ambassador. Teiegrams from Berlin state that the "Nord Deutche Zeitung," referring to the English blue book, says the publication of the interview was malevolent, and can onl\ put an end to all confidential parleying. The War Office are willing to supply officers and sergeants to the Australian August contingent. A large sum has been offered at home towards the patriotic fund. London, March 4— A new Governor has been appointed to succeed Lord Augustus Loftus as Governor of New South Wales, but hi-< name has not been disclosed It is, however, understood that he occupies a high position and is wealthy. 180,000 salu.on ova are to be shipped for New Zealand by the Shaw, Saville, and Albion Co. '3 steamer Arawa. The German Government intend to colonise that portion of Mew Guinea recently annexed by them. The London Chamber of Commerce have appointed a committee to confer with the various shipowners with regards to bills of lading. The cargo of frozen meat by the steamer Arawa is in splendid condition. Should any of Murdoch's cricketing team visit England next year, they will be ex eluded from the Lords and Oval Grounds, and probably from Nottingham. Lord Wolseley, who is suffering from an affection of the eyes, will probably return to Cairo LoNootf, March s.— The Very Rev. Canon Walsh, D.D., President of MaynoothCollege, will succeed the late Archbishop McCabe as Archbishop ot Dublin. Count Herbert Bismarck, Acting Undersecretary of State, is parleying with Lord Granville. London, March 6. — Count Herbert Bis marck, Acting Under-Secretary for Foreign affairs in Germany, has arrived in London, His mission is to bring about a friendly understanding between Germany and England on the Pacific question. London, March 5 — It is proposed to increase the English army by fifteen thousand men. The " Times " to-day states that Government have decided forthwith to ask Parliament to authorise an increase ' f the standing army by fifteen thousand men. London, March 5. — After an interview to-day between Lord Granville and Coun cilior de i*taal, the Russian Ambas e ador, Mr Gladstone made a statement in the House of Commons to the effect that a question of the greatest delicacy was now pending with Russia, and he deprecated any inquiries on the subject. The Marquis of Hartington, in the House of Commons to-day, confirmed the statements which had been current that it was proposed to increase the standing arm;, but added that the number of the additional troops was as yet unsettled. The Bank of Australia has declared a dividend for the past half-year at the rate of 14 per cent, per annum, and carried for ward and placed to the reserve £23 000. The revelations contained in the Blue Book re New Guinea, recently issued, showing the original advances made by Prince Bismarck to England with regard to that island, is causing an alienation of French sympathy with Germany. Mr Howard Vincent will read a paper on " Australia " at the Royal Colonial Institute. London, March 6. The Earl of Wemyss has given notice in -the House of Lords of a motion for the -adoption of an address to the Queen, thanking Her Majesty for accepting the "local offer of New South Wales, and exjDresßing satisfaction for similar offers by -the other colonies, and hoping that these >jnay be accepted at the right time.

London, March 7.— The " Daily News " today states that official despatches have been received from St. Petersburg which strengthen the hopes of an amicable settlement being arrived at between England and Russia on the Afghan frontier question. In the House of Lords to-day, Earl Granville stated that he regretted that annoyance had been caused to Prince Bismark by a portion of the contents of | the British Blue Book on the Pacific question, and dwelt upon the importance of the maintenance of friendship between England and Germany. It is announced that Lord Carrington has been appointed to succeed Lord Augustus Lottus, as Governor of New South Wales. The Bank of England by advertisement invites holders of New Zealand Government 5 per cent consols to convert them into 4 per cent stock at £107. Canada will probably send 3,000 men to tbe Soudan. London, March S.— Lord Carrington, the new Governor of New South Wales is unlikely to leave England until the end of the year. His Excellency has be^n introduced to Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for the colony, by 1 ord Derby. The statement that Lord Wolseley is suffering from an affection of the eyes is incorrect. The French Press ridicule Earl Gran« ville's apology to Prince Bismarck in reference to the statements contained in the recent Blue Book. Lord Northbrook states that the Admi ralry are anxious to promote the formation of an Australian Navy. Mr Murray Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, will addiess a meeting at Cambridge, on Saturday, on the question of Federation. Profe.-sor J. R. Seeley, of Arist College, will preside. A disastrous explosien has oc« urred in a mining district of Austria, causing the loss of 125 lives. Earl Granville has sent an ultimatum to Russia, dem mding the withdrawal of their troops from Afghan territory. It is reported that the colonies have offered of 50,000 men in the event of a war with Hussia. The Ameer of Afghanistan is sending reinfci cements to the frontier. England and Russia have sent immense orders for cartridge? to America. The towns of Quet r a and Peshawur have been reinforced. The Emperor William is impressing upon the Czar the de*iidb\iity of an amicable arrangement of the .Afghan difficulty London, March 9. — Lord • ottus will re main in New South Wales until November. The Oriental Bank liquidator will pay an instalment of the Victorian claims tomorrow amounting to two hundted and twenty thousand pounds, and a similar amount will be paid next year. New Zealand is opposing the introduction of the Federation Enabling Bill, on the ground that it is an interference with the autonomy of the colonies New Zealand Consols have advanced one and a-hdlf, owing to the conversion of New Zealand stock. The Germans have pulled down tbe British flig at Victoiia, on the Camerons liver. The Biitish 1 'on»ul has protested against the action of the Get mans. News is to hand from the v\ eat Coast of Africa that the Germans have lowered the tnghsh flag at Victoria, on Camerons kiver, and have hoisted the German standard in its place. In connection with the Anglo-Russian difficulty it has transpired that the Government has demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from beyond the Afghan frontier. The situation is generally deemed most critical, and active warlike pi eparationp are now proceeding both in England and India in view of pos-ible hostilities. Russia has offered to abandon her claims to the hills bordering on Herat, provided that she is allowed to retain possession of the recent seizures of territory in that neighbourhood. Latest telegrams from central Asia report that Kussian troops are being moved eouthw ard from the Caspian Sea in considerable numbers. London, March 9. — Fully one million of money is available to meet the fir>»t dividend made by the old Oriental Bank Company. There is considerable excitement in Shanghai in consequence of the French fleet overhauling English and American steamer*. London, March 10.— Edmund Yates, the proprietor ot the " World," has been re leaded from Hollow ay Gaol. In the House of Lords to day, Farl Granville, in reply to questions, stated that Government have no information re garding the reported lowering of the Brirish Hag in Victoria on Cameroons River by Germans, and that he was convinced Prince Bismarck's present attitude will prevent any trouble with Africa. London, March 10.— In the House of Commons to day Lord Hartington con firmed the announcement that the proposed increase of the British army would consist of 15,000 men. The "Pall Mall Gazette " states that Earl Granville has agreed that the German frontier in New Guinea shall be the Btb degree south latitude. Sir H. Robinson considers that the Colonial Council of Advice, suggested by Earl Grey, to which annexation matters could be referred, is not required. The February San Francisco mail has been delivered in Lo >don three days in advance of time-table date. The French have sustained a reverse at the hands of the Chinese at Fuyenguyen, losing 300 men. Earl Granville has published a letter announcing that tbe friction with Germany has ended - an amicable understanding having been arrived at with Count Herbert rtismarck regarding the English Blue Book on Pacific affairs. Count Bismarck has returned to Beilin. In the House of Commons, Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice, Political Secretary to the Foreign Office, in reply to a question, stated that the territory of North Borneo was not under British rule. Lord Derby has forwarded a despatch to Lord Loftus in which he states he was cur prised at the quickness displayed in organising the New South Wales contingent, rid also the military efficiency of the men. He also recognises the public and private liberality shown in the matter. One million has been voted for the Soudan expedition. The advance from Suakim commences on Monday. The Government are wavering in their decision as to whether they should endeavour to destroy the Mahdi. 3JIt is reported that the Mahdi has retreated tiom Khartoum southward to Abdah Island, in consequence of the scarcity of food and on account of the discontent amongst his followers. It is expected that a rising will take place in Khartoum between those who are taith ful to him and the malcontents. The Mahdi lives in daily dread of assas sination. Bombay, March 5. The formal reception by the Viceroy of the Ameer will take place at Hassan Abdool, in the Punjaub, where twenty thousand troops have been camped for the

occasion. The ceremony will be attended with much splendour and eclat, Cairo, March 5. Latest advices from Korti state tnat the British head-quarters are about to be moved to Dongola, and that the troops will during the summer be quartered at various points along the Nile, between Korti and Dongola. Cairo, March 7. Lord Wolseley has issued an address to the troops under his command, saying he hopes to lead an army into Khartoum before the end of the year, and that in the meantime preparations must be continued j to be made for an advance in the autumn. Cairo, March 9. It is raported from Korti that the Madbi has forbidden the Arab tribef* who are his followers to harass the British troops, as he is confident the latter will be destroyed by : the climate of the coming summer. Su»kim, March 4. Reinforcements of troops from England and India for Soudan operations are now arriving here. Bombay, March 4. — Preparations are ] being made for an imposing reception of I the Ameer of Afghanistan on his visit to India next month. Washing > on, March 4.— President Cloveland delivered his inaugural message to Congress to-day on assuming office. His speech re-affirms the principle of the Mon* roe doctrine, urges the avoidance of entangling alliances with other countries, and recommends a reform of the Civil Service and the granting of equality to fraedmen, the repression of polygamy, and the exclusion of Chinese from the United States.