EUROPEAN London, March 25.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 97, 11 April 1885, Page 3

EUROPEAN London, March 25.

The prospect of an imminent war between Britain and Russia has caused groat excitement on the Stock Exchange, and prices of stock are falling. It is rumoured that Turkey has consulted Prince Bismarck as to the advißabloness of entering into an alliance with Russia. It is reported that Sir Arthur Blythe, Agent-General for South Australia, and Sir SSaul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, are pressing Earl Derby to make provision for the safety of the sub -marine cables, in the event of war between Britain and Russia. London, April l.~The Queen has arrived safely in Savoy. London, April 2.— The death is announced, at the age of 66, of Lord Cairns, late Lord Chancellor of England. London, April 2.— The Commercial Treaty which has been entered intolbetween England and Spain has been ratified by King Alfonso. Mr. Dion Boucicault, the actor, who is umder engagement to Messrs Williamson. Garner, and Musgrove for a tour of the Australian colonies, will open in Melbourne in July. London, April 2.— The wool market yesterday was quiet. Eleven thousand bales were offered. The tone to-day was weaker. The catalogue comprised 9,000 bales. The total number of bales offered since the commencement of the series is 151,700, and withdrawals 18,760. At the consultation between Lord Dufferin and the Ameer of Afghanistan, it was agreed that a detachment of engineers should be despatched to Herat. London, April 5. — It is announced that General Barrios, President of the Republic of Guatemala, was killed at the recent battle with the forces of San Salvador. The Legislative Assembly of Guatemala has annulled the decree recently passed providing for the federation of that State with the Republic of San Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Kica. London, April 5. — The frozen meat ex Orient steamer Ligura has arrived injgood condition. The wheat market is unchanged. The last purchase on passage cargo was at 35s i 9d. An ultimatum has been issued to Turkey, informing her that the Egytian tribute will be published unless she signs the Egyptian financial convention. A telegram has been received by the "War Office from Sir Gerald Graham, in which he praises the demeanour of the Australian troop 3 during the recent advance on Tamai, stating they cheerfully shared the hardships of the movement, and proved themselves worthy of their comrades. M. Brisson has been summoned to form a new French Ministry. London, April 6.— Arrived : Ships Mountain Laurel, from Auckland ; Jessie Keadman, from Port Chalmers ; and Zealandia, from Wellington. The Rev. R. A. Coffin, Roman Catholic Bishop of South wark, ie dead, ' Tne reply of the Russian Government to ■ the memorandum of Earl Granville, dated j 16th March, has been under the considera- ] tion of the Cabinet. It is believed that the ( answer of M. de Giers is not of a satisfactory nature, and that further negotiations will be necessary before the Russo-Afghan frontier question is settled. j London, April 7.— The city of Dublin is , generally decorated, in view of the visit of ' the Prince and Princess of Wales to Ireland, s The following portfolios have been allot- < ted in the new French Ministry : —Justice, < M. Henri Brisson ; Interior, M. Targo ; War, General Campenon ; Marine, Admiral 1 Galiber ; Commerce, M. Pierre le Grand. '. The Commission of Inquiry which has been sitting some time to adjudicate upon the claims of German settlers to land in the , Fiji Islands has concluded its labours, and ( the Commission are now preparing their j report. The members of the Commission , are said to be in accord on the question, , only a slight divergence occurring in the . findine.

London, April 7.— The "Times" this morning announces that peace has been concluded between France and China. It is Btated that although the terms of peace ! are partly based on the treaty concluded by J Captain Tournier at Tientsin in May last, no indemnity will be claimed by France, a3 | ■was the case in that compact. '

Paris, April 3. M. De Preycine has been unsuccessful in his endeavour to form a Ministry.

Paris, April 4. It is considered doubtful if China will accept the terms of peace proposed by M. Ferry, as the recent negotiations for a peaceful settlement, commenced by M. Patenotre, the French Minister in China, were of an entirely informal character. It is announced that General Bolanger, at present French commandant in Tunis, has been appointed to the supreme command of the forces in Tonquin, and will leave shortly for that country. Paris, April 6. — M. Bre&son has completed the formation of a new Ministry, in which M de Faegincel takes office as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Berlin, April 6. —lt is announced that the German oorvette Greisanu has been ordered to proceed to Sydney.

Bombay, April 2, The Ameer of Afghanistan remains at Rawul Pindi. The Duke of Connaught and Lord Dufferin hold (daily conferences with him upon the state of affairs in Afghanistan. Earl Dufferin has arranged to hold a durbar at Rawul Pindi on Monday, at which the Duke of Connaught and the Ameer of Afghanistan will be present. Bombay, 6th April. — The Mahrajah of Nepaul has offered a .force of 15,000 Ghoorkas in the event of hostilities with Russia. Bombay, April 7. — Earl Dufferin gave a banquet yesterday at Rawal Pindi in honour of the Ameer of Afghanistan. The Ameer made a speech, in which he wished prosperity to Great Britain, and referred to the Queen's navy as "the ever -victorious." Hongkong, April 1. It is announced that China has accepted the proposals recently made by M. Ferry for the conclusion of peace.

Hongkong, April 2. News has come to hand that the French naval force under the command of Admiral Oourbet has occupied the Prescadore Islands, between Formosa and the mainland of China, after a severe engagement with the Chinese troops occupying the islands. Cairo, April 4. A report has reached this place to the effect that an engagement recently occurred between the Mahdi's forces and a number of deserters from Kordofan, with the result that the followers of the Madhi were completely defeated with great loss. Suakim, April 1. A detachment of cavalry which went to re- 1 connoitre towards Tamai this morning returned, and reported having found the enemy mustered in large force in that locality. The advance upon Tamai has consequently been ordered to take place at daybreak tomorrow..

All the troops at the disposal of Sir Gerald Graham, with the exception of the Leicester Regiment and Indian infantry, will take part in the movement. It is expected a general engagement with the rebels will take place on Friday next. Suakim, April 3. The force under the command of Sir Gerald Graham advanced, as arranged, this morning, and succeeded in occupying Ostnan Digna's position at Tamai, the enemy retiring on the approach of the British troops, after exchanging a few shots. General Graham finding only a very small supply ff water which was useless for drinking purposes, remained only two hours at Tamai, and the troops are now returning to Suakim. It is the intention of the British commander to push forward a portion of the force to Hamdab as rapidly as possible, and they will be stationed there to await any attack that may be made by the Arabs. The British casualties during the skirmish were : — One private killed, one officer and ten rank and file wounded, including two members of the New South Wales contingent. The enemy's loss was only slight. Suakim, April 5, morning. The whole of the troops under General Graham returned here to-day, with the exception of a single regiment of Indian native infantry, which remains behind to garrison the zareba until Monday, when they will return here and to adjoining camps, and the zareba will be abandoned. A movement will commence on Monday for the concentration of troops along the railway line to Hamduk, which is making good progress, and it is hoped the force will be able to reach that place in about a week's time. Suakim, April 6, morning. The British zareba at Hanheen has been abandoned, and the stores which weie forwarded there have been brought back to Suakim. The Coldstream Guards and the Colonial troops have formed a zareba, at a point about 5 miles from Handab. The work was completed to-day, and the general advance on Handab will take place on Wednesday. A report is current that Lord Wolseley is coming here from Cairo.

Suakim, April 7. I The forward movement in the direction of | Handoub commenced to-day. The Scots Greys escorted a large convoy to the Zareba, ■which has been formed on the way to Handaub, and will remain to garrison the zareba with the Coldatream Guards and the colonial contingent, who aro already there. Sir Gerald Graham and the members of his staff will accompany the troops to Haudoub to-morrow, and General Graham will return to Suakim in the evening. Spies who como in from Tamai assert that the position has been deserted by Osman Dlgna and the village burned.