Arrival of the Suez Mail.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2734, 27 January 1879, Page 2

Arrival of the Suez Mail.

LATEST TELEGRAMS,

Operations in Afghanistan.

[KEUTEK'S SPECIAL 1O PRESS AGENCY.]

MELBOURNE, Jan. 26. Great hopes are now entertained that the promised Turkish reforms will be carried out consequent on the changes of Ministry. Sir Stafford Northcote denied in the House of Commons that England is guaranteeing the Turkish loan. It is explicitly stated that Russia has declared she will occupy Merv if England holds Herat. BOMBHY, Jan. 9. The Viceroy has informed the Maharajah of Cashmere that he will accept his offer of service if the war continues beyond the spring. The Kyber tribes seriously annoy the convoys, and an expedition sent to punish them destroyed several villages. There are numerous desertions from the Afghan army. Afghan prisoners are erap!ayed in road making at Gumevoa, The health of the European troops is good, but the natives suffer from the cold, and there is great mortality amongst the baggage officers, but supplies are coming iii freely. The Ameer's officer, Mira Khan, who insulted Major Cavagnari at Peshawur, by threatening to shoot him, fled, and afterwards poisoned himself. Military operations are suspended on account of the winter. Generals Roberts and Brown are securing the positions they have won. There is great commercial depression at Bombay. MELBOURNE, Saturday. The weather has been intenselr cold, and the severity has greatly increased the wide-spread distress in England and Scotland. Owing to the almost complete stagnation in the iron, coal, and manufacturing districts, the distress in Sheffield is unparalleled. There are gloomy accounts from Manchester.Birmingham, Wigan, Wolverharnpton, Liverpool, Plymouth, Bristol, Dundee. Glasgow, Preston, and the Pottery dislzucis. The relief committees are unable to cope with the calamity. The Indian Council Lave decided to increase the army by 15,000 men. 'i he interest in the forthcoming Exhibition is very great. Colonial topics arc receiving much attention. Kurl Beaconsfield, replying to a deputation from California, declared that the Berlin Treaty ensure! the pacification of Europe. The u-eaty was an instrument which would be maintained and executed. Respecting Cyprus, he stated that every condition on account of which, the is'and had been occupied had been eutirely fulfilled. Ihe harbour of Famagosta would be improved in order to accomodata the entire Mediterranean fleet.

Intense sympathy is felt for the Queen, on account of the death of the Princess Alice. Earl B^aconsfleld, in moving an address of condolence, said the death of the Princess was wonderfully piteous.