TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1144, 23 February 1884, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. London, Feb. 19

In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Gladstone, replying to a question, said that he doubted whether the proclamation issued by Major-General Gordon at Khartoum announces that no impediment would be offered to free traffic in slaves in the Soudan. He believed that the abstract of the proclamation received by telegraph was in-

correct. Mr .Brett has been appointed chief manager of the Oriental Bank. Hanlon sailed for Sydney on Monday. Gordon Pasha has been received by the Arabs with the greatest enthusiasm, thousands pressed forward to kiss his hands and feet, H.R.H, the Prince of Wales will servo on the Royal Commission on housing the London poor. Sir Charles Dilke will be the President. A detachment of Royal Engineers has been placed under orders for Egypt. The o,s. Austral has been chartered for the Atlantic trade. The Emperors of Russia, Austria and Germany are to meet shortly. The Homeward mails via San Francisco ffom Auckland, dated January Bth, were delivered to-day. Feb. 20. In the House of Commons last night the adjourned debate on Sir Stafford Northcote’s motion—“ That the recent disaster to the Egyptian arms in the Soudan was the result of pursuing the policy of the British Government in connection with Egyptian affairs,” was resumed, and after further discussion the motion was negatived on a division by a majority of 49 votes. Mr Parnell and his party voted with the minority, and against the Government. Mr Charles Bradlaugh, who recently resigned his seat in the House of Commons as junior member for Northampton, presented himself yesterday for re-election, and was returned by a majority larger than that which he secured on the occasion of his last election. In compliance with the request of Major Sir Evelyn Baring, the strength of the British army in Egypt is about to be increased, Orders have been issued at the Horse Guards for the transfer of an additional battalion of infantry and a battery of artillery from Malta to Alexandria, and arrangements are being made for their transhipment without delay.

Mr Murray-Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, has received a reply from the Admiralty to his offer on behalf of his Government to place the Victorian gunboats Victoria, Albert and Childers at the disposal of the Imperial Government for service in the Red Sea. Their Lordships decline to accept the services of the gunboats on the terras offered, but if the status ot the vessels, as raen-of-war, is conceded by the colonial authorities, their Lordships will request that the commanders be instructed to report themselves to Admiral Hewitt, in case their services are required. The latest intelligence from Khartoum to hand is to the effect that Gordon Pasha has already acquired the widest influence over the natives, and his power is rapidly increasing. The statement that his proclamation promised free trade in slaves is now fully confirmed. The Press throughout Europe express the greatest indignation «t this announcement, The Standard insists that the English Cabinet must at once disown Colonel Gordon’s action in the matter.

After further consideration, the Admiralty have politely declined the offer of the colonial gunboats, on the ground that the British force now stationed in Egypt is sufficient.

In Government circles the remark is made regarding the absence of authority on the part of the Agents-General to conduct parleying with respect to the decision of the recent Sydney Convention on /. nnoxation and Confederation. Constantinople, Feb. 20.

Fears are entertained that a fanatical outbreak will occur in Arabia, and in compliance with the wishes of the Sheriff of Mecca, the Porte has ordered the immediate despatch of 2000 troops to the province of El Hejaz.

I Alexandria, Feb. 19. A strong detachment of sailors has been landed here from the Mediterranean squadron, to replace the troops drafted to Cairo for garrison duty. Cairo, Feb. 18. Telegrams from Souakitn state that the troops comprising the British expedition for the relief of Tokar are now arriving there, and it is understood, that shortly a forward movement will be made by Colonel Graham. Intelligence has reached Souakim to the effect that a sortie was recenily made by 200 men of the garrison at Tokar. The movement was effected successfully, and a quantity of provision's, which the garrison were in need of, were obtained. Several rebel Arabs were killed and wounded, and a number of cattle and camels were captured. It is expected that’the garrison will be able to hold out until the siege is raised by British troops. Feb. 20. Telegrams from Souakira state that the British troops forming the expedition for the relief of Tokai, are assembling at Rasmahdi, but that an adequate garrison has been left at Souakim.

AUSTRALIAN CABLE.

Sydney, Feb. 20. The authorities have decided that the recently imported American sheep, which were found to be infected with scab, shall be destroyed and all traces obliterated. In the Legislative Assembly to night Government announced that the taxation proposals made by the Treasurer in his Budget Statement had been withdrawn, except in so far as the increased duty on tobacco was concerned, Government proposed to meet the expected deficiency in the revenue by retrenchment to the extent of threequarters of a million sterling. In addition to this it is believed that the Customs revenue will show an increase of £170,000 sterling during the year, Melbourne, Feb. 21. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, report of the Victorian wheat harvest that the yield is fully up to the expectations previously formed, and estimate the surplus at 200,000 bushels.