ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1333, 28 April 1885, Page 1

ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

London, April 23. It is expected that M. do Giers] Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, will resign. The New South Wales Government have applied to the War Office for a Mnjoi, two Lieutenants, a Lieutenant q( Engineers, and ;a Sergeant of Artillery in connection with the defence of the colony. April 24. i In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone announced that Hit Maj .'ity’s Uovernment are now engaged in negotiations of an extremely grave r nature with Russia, and it u impossible for him to make a statement to them at the present juncture. The Daily News this morning, in a leading article on the Afghan question,, gays the only hope of pence that is possible is in rite conclusion cf an agreement delimitating the frontier line of Afghanistan, and adds that the negotiations now in progress to that end are not of a hopeless nature. The Australian contingent, now serving in the Soudan, have oflVred to go to India should occasion arise for their service.

It is reported that a Russian squadron of twenty sail has passed the Island of Gotland in the Baltic, bound southward, H.M.B. Invincible has been ordered to Singapore. The Russian Press are clamoring for Herat. The' detachment of Engineers which was to have been despatched to Herat will not now proceed, as the Ameer has not given a guarantee of support. April 26. Five Russian cruisers are reported as having passed Aden. The number of cruisers engaged by England has been increased hv twenty. The steamer Coptic, recently selected ae a cruiser for New Zealand, will, after being equipped, be stationed at Auck■ami Petersburg, .April 24. It is expected that M, Giera will shortly resign bis portfolio as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Calcutta, April 26. No further news is to hand in regard’ to the negotiations pending between England and Russia. His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, who had started for England, has been recalled to Simla, where a military council has been held under the presidency of Earl Dofferin, the Viceroy. I’he details of the Conference hare not transpired, hut it is believed to have been decided to collect British forces at Quetiab. Sydney, April 24, At a special Cabinet Council, held to day, it was resolved to push forward the construction of the defence works with the utmost expedition, Melbourne, April 24. The Defence Department have decided in case of War being declared to form a Victorian Reserve Force, to consist of 5000 men. The Government ar| in receipt of a telegraphic despatch from the Agent-General, Mr Murray-Sraitb, to the effect that war is inevitable, though not immediate. April 26. It has been decided to increase the Victorian Militia by 1600 men, and Volunteers Corps will be formed in all townships where railway communication exists. Wellington, April 24. The Defence Minister this afternoon had a long interview with Majors Eccles and Butts, Colonel Reader, and Captains Humphreys and Hume on defence matters. The result of the discussion has not been made known. The militia will probably be called out in a week. The Marine Underwriters’ Association have received a cable message from London stating in effect that diplomatic negotiations between Russia and England have been broken off, and that it was, therefore, necessary to charge war risks. The guns for the defence o{ Wellington Qatbor will be in position next week. Christchurch, Feb. 24. It has been determined to complete the defence works at Lyttelton with the utmost possible despatch, and orders have accordingly been issued to earryoci their construction by night as well as by day, April 25. The first-class militia are to be called out immediately officers appointed. The militia will include all married and single men between the aged of 17 and 30. Government have accepted the offer of a corps, 100 strong, comprising yachting and rowing men of Wellington. A large number of officers in, the former militia will be taken on and others will be appointed on probation, bat will hare to pass an examination certain within a certain period. April 27. The member? of the Permanent Artillery and Torpedo Corps for Lyttelton and Port Chalmers left Wellington by the steamer Wanaka yesterday. The contingent for each port numbered about 32 men each, and tbdie for Port Chalmers were under the command of Major Goring. , It is not finally decided who will command tiie Lyttelto.n detachment, btit' probably it will be Major Gudgeon. Engineers „ Corps, ■, 100;, strong, have been formed .at Auckland and Dunedin. The‘Volunteers at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch made a great demonstratioii yestprday. , Sham fights took' place at, each of these centres, and a public hpliday/.wap proclaimed.