Late English News.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4979, 24 December 1884, Page 2

Late English News.

['Age' Specials.] London, December 8. Major John Adam Fergusson, formerly Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General of the South Australian forces, will embark for Adelaide in the Orient steamer Liguria, which sails on Wednesday. It is probable that Major Fergusson will succeed Colonel Darones in the command of the Australian forces. Bradlaugh has applied for a new trial in the action brought against him by the Government for illegally voting in the House of Commons, he not having taken the oath. The application was refused, but the execution of the penalties claimed was stayed, pending an appeal to the higher Court. December 10. . Speaking at the Royal Colonial Institute last night, Earl Dunraven said that the establishment of a system of Imperial free trade was an impossibility. He advocated, however, the adoption of differential duties in favor of the colonies. December 11.

An important discovery has been made in France for the destruction of phylloxera. It consists of a preparation of arsenic. The German Government have effected the purchase of a block of territory on the Arabian coast of the Bed Sea from the Sheikhs. It is said the object is for strategic purposes. December 14, A despatch has been received from the German Consul at Apia, and has been published by the German Government in a Blue Book. It advocates that consuls should be appointed, and war ships stationed, at the Islands of New Britain, New Ireland, and Tonga, to protect German interests, and enable the commerce of that country to compete with British. In an article on the German land claims in Fiji, the Standard advocates tlie appointment of a mixed commission, for the pur pose of adjudicating the claims in question. The London Press, discussing the pro* posal for a mixed commission, for the purpose of adjudicating upon the confliotingclaimsof British and German subjects, instance Angra Pequena, recently annexed by Herr Nachtigal, and deplore the humiliation which England has been subjected to in connection with that matter.