AGE SPECIALS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1252, 13 December 1882, Page 2

AGE SPECIALS.

LONDON, December 4, The French Government have withdrawn their Consular representatives from the Island of Madagascar, and it it feared that hostile aotion on the part of France is imminent. New that the fate of Arabi Pasha has been decided Lord Dufferin will leave Egypt immediately for England to confer with the Home Government as to the course to be pursued in dealing with the affairs of Egypt. President Arthur has presented a message to Congress urging upon that body the necessity for. augmenting the military forces of the United States. The message also deals with the subject of civil service reform, the President pointing out the desirability of patting a stop lo the present corruption in the Civil Service and the dependence of government officials upon party intrigues for the retention of their positions, and- a thorough-goinj; measure of reform is declared to be an early and absolute necessity. ■

'■ Lord Dufferin is credited with making rapid progress in ingratiating himself with the Egyptian notables, but there will be little progress in the direction of formal admission of England's policyuntil Arabi's trialisoutof the way. ; • ' Arabi's recent letter to the Times attracted great attention by its independent courage and audacity. Gladstone questioned the authenticity in the Houße, whereupon the Times maintained it B'rongly. In ; replyi is to a,question put by Ashmead Bartlett. on the 17th, the Premier deuied tint dual o mtrol had been .abolished iu Egypt. The Egyptian Gov. ;ernment had expressed .desire that it should be, but «uoh expression was not : m . English' idvioe '.it was sp'ontoeouiV ; -: ;: ■'