LATE CABLE NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 243, 18 March 1880, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

Bluff, March 15.

The following cable message appear in the Australian papers brought by the Eotomahana : St. Petersburg, March 3.

General Kelikoff, who was last week appointed head of Supremo Commission for repressing the conspiracies of the Nihilists, had a narrow escape from assassination to-day. While driving through the city he was fired at by a Nihilist, who most fortunately entirely missed his aim. Before he could make good his escape the would-be-assassin was arrested.

London, March 6. There is a popular movement in Finland foi independence. The second reading of the Deceased Wife’s 'Sister Bill has been carried by an immense majority in the Canadian House of Commons.

China is preparing heartily for war. The, Eussian difficulty is the prim ipal cause, but there is on the part of China a-defiant attitude generally to foreigners.

The latest news reoeived from the seat of war in South America, states that in spite of an understanding which had been come tu between Chili and Peru that hostilities should not be resumed for some time, naval operations have been commenced by the Chi inn fleet, which, by mvnt ad vie s, had been blockading AnVn, the principal seaport of Sou:hern Peru. The fleet has mad© an attack on that town, which it has bombarded with considerable . effect. During the engagement the Chilian commander of the iron-al Huascar which has lately been refitted, was killed by the Peruvian guns. An alarming accident has occurred on board the new double turret ironclad Duilio at La Spezia, in the Gulf of Genoa. The armament of the' Duilio consists of four 100-ton Armstrong guns each 33fi. long, and while exercising with those one of them burst. Ten of the sailors were seriously wounded by the (xplos’on, and the turret of Duilio received considerable dsmsge. St. Petersburg is in a state of and all forms of law, are set aside. The Nihilist who attempted to assassinate General Melikoff is found to be a baptised Jew, and his connection with the Nihilist organisation is undoubted, Acting under the despotic powers confer jed upon him as president of the committee of public safety, appointed by the Czar, General Melkoff has ordered the man’s immediate execution without trial. A sentence of death by hanging has been passed upon him, which will be carried out to-morrow

morning

The result of the general elections' in Victoria has excited considerable interest in political circles, All the princi-' pal journals have had leaders commenting upon Mrß-.-rry’s defeat and acceaiou of Mr Service to office. The“ Spectator ” considers that the victory gained by tiie Conservatives was attributable to the popular dislike of the plebiscite. Further, it expresses a doubt whether Mr Service can look for the support of the Catholic vote for any length of time.?as he cannot conscientiously entertain their demands respecting tl e Education Act, and that, therefore, he is not likley to be able to withstand the liberal party The “ Pall Mall Gazette ” approves of. the selection of Mr Service as Mr Berry’s successor, and declares him, judging from his speeches and his scheme of constitutional reform, to be in reality a sound and vigorous liberal. Toladearsky, who attempted to assas • sinate Gen. Melikoff, was ,hanged near St. Petersburg, in the presence of‘an immense concourse of spectators. When interrogated as to his the prisoner firmly refused to afford tide authorities any information. He was . escorted from the goal to tho gallows by a strong force of military and police, as an attempt at rescue was apprehended. During the execution a disturbance occurred, and for some time a ;riot seemed imminent, but the police -having a.-prehended the ringleaders, order was restored.

An official telegram has been received from the Viceroy of India, to the effect that by the latest advices from Cabul the hostile tribes were o r ganidng and becoming daily more menacing. The Kohistanis, who had manifested friendly feelings towards the British as lately as January last, have again revolted, and joined the insurgents in large numhefs. Sindee Shahbar Khan, the native Governor of the Kohisfcaa district, r cently appointed by general Roberts, has been obliged to withdraw to Cabul for protection. March, 9. A mariage has been arranged between; Rudoff, the Crown Prince of Austria, and Stephanie Clotilda, second daughter of Leopold 11., King of the Belgians.