ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1334, 30 April 1885, Page 1

ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

St. Petersburg, April 25. In connectiou with the military preparations now proceeding, the number of officers of the army throughout Russia is being largely augmented. April 27. The Moscow Gazette, in an article to day on the Anglo-Russian difficulty, strongly urges that Russia should effect a peaceful settlement with England of the Afghan frontier question. Loudon, April 27. Reuter's Agency announces, on good authority from St. Petersburg, that in that city war is considered inevitable. The Czar will leave to-day for Moscow, where His Majesty will issue an Imperial manifesto regarding the present crisis. _ _ k .. The Times 'to-day' publishes a telegram from St. Petersburg stating that England has proposed to the Russiau ufoyernment tbut the whole circumstances in connection with Penjdeh and the recent hostilities there be submitted to arbitration. In the Home of Commons last night Mr Gladstone urged the adoption of the extraordinary vote of credit in a most.powerful •veecb. Speaking of the Anglo-Russian situation, he dwelt strongly on the necessity of Enghnd being prepared to carry out to its utmost extent the pledge of support which had been accorded by the (jfovernment to the Ameer of Afghanistsn, Mr Gladstone added that, notwithstanding the preparations which are being made, Her Majesty's Government are striving by all means in their power to bring about an. amicable but at the same time an honorable settlement of the difficulty, The vote of credit was afterwards passed by the House without a division.

In view of the possibility of vr&r, Field-Marshall His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is returning from Ireland at once.

It is reported that the Czar offers that General Komaroff and Sir Peter Lumsden should be examined by a mixed commission.

Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for ty)vv South Wales, has, on behalfofl.be Government of that colony, offered the contingent now serving in the Soudan to England for service in India in the event of war with Russia. The Shaw-Savill and Albion Company's steamship Arawa will probably be engaged by the Admiralfy m place of the R.M.S. Kaikoura, as a cruiser. April 28.

Persistent rumors are afloat that a second engagement between the Russians and Afghans has taken place, and that the Russians were defeated with the loss of one thousand.

The Daily News hopes that the courageous patriotism of New South. Wales in offering the services of their contingent to go to India will be imitated. Sydney, April 27. The work of fittiog up the Peninsula and Oriental steamship Massilia as an j-rraed cruiser has now been nearly completed It is nnnouuced the Government haye offered the services of the New South Wales Soudan contingent to the British Government for employment in India should occasion require. It has also been officially notified that the proclamation declaring the western channel closed for foreign vessels entering Port Jackson will take effect from to-morrow. The channel is closed as a precautionary measure for the defence of the city and port.

April 28.

Government received a telegram this afternoon from Fir Saul Samuel, AgentGeneral for New South Wales, announcing that the British Government have accepted the offer of the services of the New feouth Wales Soudan Contingent for employment in India if circumstances rendered it necessary to withdraw the British troops from Egypt. The whole of the defensive measures for the protection of Port Jackson are completed, including the submergence of torpedoes in the western channel. Wellington, April 27. Messrs Levin and Co. have received instructions from the Admiralty to load the Coptic with 2000 tons of coal, and to retain the officers and crew aud sufficient stewards to attend on about twenty saloon passengers. April 28. The latest information received by Government from the Agent-General states that affairs with Russia are still in suspense.