EUROPEAN NEWS. (Per Ballrat)

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 104, 30 May 1885, Page 3

EUROPEAN NEWS. (Per Ballrat)

Albany, May 19. The P. and 0. Company's R.M.S. Ballarat, Captain Tomlin, arrived from Colombo at 7.30 this morning. Passengers for New Zealand : Mr Hallenstein, and 48 for all ports in other classes.

London, April 17. Peace rumours are again prevalent, It in asserted ' i some quarters that England and Rus«te. are on the ©ye of satisfactory arrangements on the Afghan question. No doubt, th« wishes of both Governments are moHt pacific, the Czar himßelf and his Foreign Minister, M. de Giers, being particu larly peace-loving; but unfortunately, it is the Russian military party on the Asiatic frontier and at St. Petersburg which controls the situation, and it is difficult therefore to believe that the Russian Government will give any real or lasting satisfaction to England by formally renouncing a policy of encroachment in the direction of Afghanistan and vigorously restraining the zeal of officers of the Skobeloff school. The present situation therefore is one of anxiety and suspense. Feverish anxiety prevails in the dockyards, and in all naval and military establishments, and never since the Crimean war were so many men-of-war concentrated at Portsmouth. An Ad- | miralty notice invites naval and maiine pensioners under 50 years to re-engage for active service on advantageous terms. Recruiting for the army all over the United Kingdom is progressing very satisfactorily. The tone of the French and German press is cynical, if not unfriendly, to England. Nevortholess, signs are already apparent that England would not want friends if war broke out. A Liberal anti-Russian ferment is already manifesting itself in Austria. In fact, tho Liberal opinion of Europe generally will be on the side of England against Russia.