CALOGRAMS.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4720, 22 February 1884, Page 2

CALOGRAMS.

Beutee's Telegbams

(Received Eebruary 22, 2.20 p.m )

Melbourne, This day. Annexation and Federation.

Important Decision.

The Hon. James Service, Premier, has receired a telegram from Mr It. Murray Smith, Colonial Agent-General, reporting that the latter had had an important in* terriew with the Undersecretary of the Colonial office regarding the federation of the Australian Colonies, and Pacific annexation. In the course of the in terview Sir Robert Herbert; announced that Her Majesty's Government had decided not to sanction any annexation of the Western Pacific Islands until the federation of the Australian colonies had been accomplished, and that it would be necessary for the various colonial legislatures to adopt resolutions confirming the action of their delegates at the Sydney Convention before the Imperial Parliament could pass the necessary enabling Act ; which, however, would be prepared by the Imperial authorities, and which it was proposed to lay before Parliament during the present session. The Colonial Undersecretary urged that steps should be taken by the Colonial Governments to expedite the passage of the resolution above mentioned, and added that a guarantee by the colonies of £10,000 would se.cure the appointment, in the interim, of High : Commissioners of the Western Pacific with enlarged powers.

Caibo, February 20. Telegrams from Souakim state that the British troops forming the expedition for the relief of Tokar are assembling at Rasmahdi, but an adequate garrison has been left at Souakim.

Late intelligence from Khartoum is to hand to the effect that Gordon Pasha has already acquired a decided influence over the natives, and his power is rapidly increasing. The statement that his proclamation promising free trade in slaves is now fully confirmed.

Constantinople, Feb. 20.

Fears are entertained that a federal outbreak will occur in Arabia, and in compliance with the wishes of the Sheriff of Mecca, the Porte has ordered the immediate despatch of 2,000 troops to the province of Hedjar.

[Specials to the Pbess Association.

London, February 19. Hanlan, the champion sculler, sailed for Sydney on Monday. Mr Murray Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, has protested against the Post-master-General, Mr Fawcett, still require ing letters for Queensland and New Zealand, and intended to be forwarded by the P. and O, service, to be specially addressed. 4 London, February 10. Gordon Pasha's proclamation stating that the slave trade will be permitted in the Soudan is confirmed. The press throughout Europe expresses the greatest indignation at his announcement, and the Standard insists that the English Cabinet must at once disown General Gordons's action in the matter. The division on Sir Straffbrd Nortbcote's motion relating to the misconduqt of the English Government with respect to Egyptian affairs, was, excluding the Parnellities' vote:—For the motion, 262; against it, 311. Mr H. Campbell Bannerman M.P., First Secretary of the Admirality, in replying to Mr Murray Smith's offer on behalf of the "Victorian Government, has stated that if there is any prospect of a naval war the Admirality will be willing to accept the services of the colonial gunboats.