"AGE" SPECIALS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2491, 4 January 1887, Page 2

"AGE" SPECIALS.

. ' .w— J. . (United Press Association,) (PER S.S.- AT THE BLUFF.) i SEEIODS OUTLOOK IN EUROPE PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. LORD-RANDOLPH CHURCHILL '-"EXPLAINS.. , London, December 22. The outlook in Europe is' again of ai very threatening character, and ominous preparations are being made for war. The Turkish Government is rapidly massing enormous numbers of troops in/ Macedonia. The AustroHungarian Government has despatched an order to America for 40,000 rifles, with / special inj unctions requiring, its speedy fulfilment, and the condition being made that the rifles shall be supplied before March, :

A report has been published that Count Herbert Bismark during his in-' terview with the Bulgarian delegates strongly advised that Bulgaria should accept Prince 'Nicholas of Mingrelia, Russia's nominee, .'as- ruler, but this statement is declared ,to be untrue. It is ptobable that the deposed ruler, Prince Alexander of Bulgaria, will be re-elected, unless the Powers agree to the candidature of Prince Nicholas of Mingrelia, Intelligence has been received that the Russian Government has, made proposals with the object of securing the annexation of Herat, and:lias offered in return to give to Afghanistan other territory in compensation,

. 23rd December. It is stated that the, principal cause of Lord R. Churchill resigning his position in the Cabinet "was a disagreement. with Lord Salisbury as to the wisdom of adopting a policy of coercion in Ireland. 24th December. Lord Randolph Churchill has intimated that, notwithstanding his disagreement with the policyof the Government he i Tvill continue to give them his support, and will abstain from making an attack on'them, even on questions regarding which he differs from thenpolicy, The' Standaul regards the desertion of lord Randolph Churchill as a real gain to the Conservative party, and says it is not probable that any further resignations will take place. Considerable uneasiness continues to prevail with regard to the situation in Europe. The. relations between Count Kalnoky, and Bismarck are greatly stiained, the Austrian Government objecting strongly to the decision arrived at by Germany to allow Russia a free hand with regard to the settlement of the Bulgarian question.. The Austrian Government have vigorously undertaken the work of placing the fortresses on the Gallician frontier, abutting on the territory of Russia, in a thorough state of efficiency, anc| ready for immediate use.

Prince Alexander of Batcenbbrg has had an interview with the. Bulgarian delegates at Colognr." The proposal to re-elect Prince Alexander to the sovereignty of the province was discussed at"the interview, but the result has not been allowed to .transpire. Lord R. Churchill has explained the reasons which induced him to' take the step he did. He states that he desires to see the fighting efficiency in both branches of tho service increased, but he considers everything necessary in that direction could ba achieved without increasing the present • outlay if the money wero carefully and judiciously expended. 27th December, ■ . Hopes are now entertained that the difficulty which has arisen in connection with Bulgaria may be settled without resorting -.to arms. It is considered that tho altitude of Germany precludes the probability of war unless the Czar should wantonly nrovokeit, as n belief prevails that Austria, except with the consent of her allies, would never initiate hostilities,

A proposal has been made that Colonial Colleges should be founded at Oxford and Cambridge-Universities in connection with the celebration next, year of the Queen's Jubilee,