ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1330, 21 April 1885, Page 1

ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

London, April 16. The Daily Telegraph’s Vienna correspondent states that the Russian reply to England says the Czar consider* that war would be deplorable, and hopes I hit prompt arrangements may be arrived at for a pacific solution of the difficulty. It is stated that in answering the Russian despatch the British Cabinet gladly accepts the terras of the communication. A large meeting is to be held in London to take into consideration the condition of the British navy. The Journal de Bt, Petersburg contains a report that the Afghans intend to revolt in favor of Russia. April 17. If the colonies pay the necessary cost the Admiralty are willing to supply men, and to maintain the men-of-war belonging to colonial navies. The New Zealand Shipping Com pany’s steamer Kaikoura has been selected by the Admiralty for equipment as a cruiser. April 18. The Standard states that the Ameer of Afghanistan is indisposed to press his claim to Peiijdeh, and expresses the belief that everything demanded by Russia has been conceded exept Zulfika which will remain Afghan territory, April 19. Rumors of a peaceful settlement of the existing difficulty between England and Russia continue to be rife, but so for nothing of a definite nature has transpired in regard to the situation, St. Petersburg, April 17. In the latest, despatch to the Russian Government General Koraaroff reports that the Afghans have evacuated all their posts on the frontier, and that the Russian troops remain stationary. April 18. It has transpired that in a laic despatch to bis Government, General

Koraaroff announced that when Penjdeh and the posts in its neighborhood were evacuated by the Afghans and the latter flml to Herat, he deemed it expedient to place Penjdeh under temporary Russian administration, Melbourne, April 17. The Government are in receipt of a telegram from the Agent-General to the effect that the political situation in Afghanistan is still very menacing. Auckland, April 18, The Coptic has been chartered by the Imperial Government as a fast cruiser for the New Zealand coast, and arrangements are now being made to avoid sending her on her Homeward voyage. She will be at once fitted up for her new service. She may, for this purpose, have to go to Australia. Wellington, April 18. Sir Julias Yogel this afternoon received a cable message from the AgentGeneral stating that the prospects of peace are less gloomy. The Newcastle Herald of llfch April has a paragraph as follows The merican schooner Quickstep arrived here yesterday morning from Melbourne. Captain Jacobsen reports that on the dth, when 25 miles from Cape Howe, ho passed a Russian sloop of war steering W.S.W., coming from the eastward, but had no communication with her. She had fore-and-ift canvas set and was. steaming,” The Government have cabled to the Agent-General to procure, and at once forward, 2000 stand of the latest military nflle (the Martini-Henri) to the colony, together with all neceaeary appointments.