ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1335, 2 May 1885, Page 1

ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

London, April 28. 1 The New South Wales contingent have accepted service anywhere! they may be required. They will probably be brigaded with the Guards. The English Government are greatly pleased with this open offer. April 29. It has been officially announced that the offer made by the New South Wales

Government of the Colonial Soudan Contingent for service in India has been accepted. The Standard this morning publishes a telegram from its apecial correspondent with General Lumsden to the effect that Russian troops hare occupied Maruchak, a position on the River Murghab, 20 miles south of Penjdth. No details, however, are given with regard to the occurrence. The speech of Mr Gladstone in the House of Commons has caused alarm throughout the Continent. It appears immense supplies of coal are being shipped to the Capo of Good Hope. • -J-n Jthe House of Commons laat nis-ht Lord fedmund Fitzmaurice, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, announced that Government had received a telegram from General Lumsdrn dated Sunday, April 26th, in which he stated that the Russian troops were advancing up the valley of Murghab, and had occupied Maruchak, It is reported that the Russian Council of the Empire will reject the proposed concessions for a settlement of the Afghan difficulty. The Russians are actively mobilising. The occupation of Maruchak by the Russians dispels all hope of a peaceful solution of the difficulty, and it is believed that they are now advancing on Herat. April 30. The Times this morning states that England has proposed to hold an enquiry into * the recent Pendjdeh incident, and has further offered to delineate the Afghan frontier line in accordance with the views of Russia, on condition that that country undertakes to bind herself by treaty never to seize Herat. Constantsople, April 29. The European Powers are urging upon the Porte the desirability of maintaining strict neutrality in the event of an outbreak of war between England and Russia. The Turkish Government, however, are increasing their defensive works on the Dardanelles and at Theapen, on the Bosphorus. Melbourne, April 29. The Government have notified the Marine Departments of the various colonies that in the event of war being declared the Point Lonsdale, the two Qnepuscliflfe, and the West and South Cbannal lights will be extinguished, and the two pilot schooners withdrawn. April SO. Eight hundred and fifty members of the Victorian police volunteer their services to the Government for the Militia,