CALOGRAMS.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4586, 15 September 1883, Page 2

CALOGRAMS.

Eeuteb's Telegrams

[Received Sept. 15, 12 30 p.m]. Hong Kong, September 15. The War in Anam — Heavy Fighting. News has been received that hostilities have been resumed between the French troops and the Anamite force known as the "Black Flags." Accounts to hand state that fighting lasting for fully eight hoars recently took place at Phoukai. The engagement was a very severe one, and resulted in the loss of 52 men to the French, while the " Black Flags " are reported to have lost fully 500 men. Latest intelligence from Canton states that Europeans in that city are very uneasy in consequence of the violent antiforeign placards which have been extensively posted there.

[Received September 12, 2.10 p.m.] Melbourne, This day. Annexation. The Agent-General in London telegraphs to Mr Service that the Colonial Office has replied to the joint letter of the colonial Agents-General on the subject of the proposed annexations in the Pacific. The 'reply is deemed unsatisfactory. Lord Derby admits tbe care and ability displayed in the preparation of the historical statemement which was referred to the consideration of Sir Arthur Gordon and the Admiralty. Lord Derby, however, doubts whether so much ignorance prevails in Australia regarding the claims of Foreign Powers as the Agents-General apprehended. Samoa and Tonga has not been long recognised as independent powers, and Prance since 1878 had respected the independence of the Hebrides, though the position of the latter in relation to Foreign Powers cannot be ignored. Referring to the Solomon Islands, Lord Derby expresses the opinion that the colonial Governments had hardly considered the responsibility attaching to their assumption. The Imperial Government are not satisfied that annex* ation is necessary and justifiable. His Lordship says he has nothing to add concerning New Guinea, and concludes by stating that if the Colonial Government desire to bear the responsibility of the measure proposed in the Agent'sGeneral memorandum, and will confer and make proposals concerning the other islands not subject to treaties, such proposal will receive the attention of the Home Government.

London, September 14. Mr Gladstone, who for some time past has been yachting on the Scottish coast, has sailed for Norway. Committal for Conspiracy to Dr Connolly, who, with his brother, was arrested at Limerick on August 12, charged with conspiracy to murder, has bach committed for trial. September 12. The Homeward mails, per Orient steamer Cuzco, dated Melbourne, July 25, were delivered here to-day. Arrived: Ships Apawa, from the Bluff, May 25; and Waitangi, from Port Chalmers, June 6.

New- Yobk, September 12. Arrived: Ship Andreas Eus, from Auckland, May 9.

[Specials to the IPeess Association.] London, September 13. Lord Derby, in his despatch on tlie an> nexation question, claims that the interest of other countries is a serious impediment to a complete jurisdiction over the Western Pacific and Savage Islands, and also the great distance whioh separates them. He states that there is no evidence to show that the colonies had sufficiently considered the responsibility attached to the annexation *f these islands. There is nothing in the despatch with reference to New Guinea. His Lordship, in communicating with earl Granville respecting the threatened development ' of penal establishments by France, similar to that in New Caledonia, stated that he expected to receive protests from the AgentsGeneral oh Lord Derby's answer to the memorandum from the Agents •General on the subject of Pacific annexation is generally regarded as being unsatisfactory. It merely repeats the vague assurances formerly given r