SPECIALS TO MELBOURNE AGE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4290, 28 April 1885, Page 4

SPECIALS TO MELBOURNE AGE.

[Tee Waieaeata at the Bix'it.]

LONDON

April 13, In both Houses of Parliament last night resolutions were passed thanking the Queen for her message of the 26th of March culling out the militia and reserve forces. In the House of Commons last night, during the discussion on the proposed motion thanking Her Majesty for calling out the militia and reserves, an amendment was moved in favor of the immediate evacuation of the Soudan. Lord Churchill supported the amendment, but on v division being taken it was rejected. The Russian squadron which has been stationed in tho Mediterranean lias been ordered to the Baltic. The British Government have bought two steamers to be employed as armed cruisers. One was purchased from the New Zealand Shipping Company, and when equipped •will probably be despatched to Sydney to strengthen the warships there. An organisation is being formed amongst shippers of goods from the United Kingdom to Australia against a ring of shipbrokers who have hitherto controlled the leading berths in London and Liverpool. The British authorities are negotiating with the Orient Company for the purchase of tho steamer Austral to be equipped as an armed cruiser. April IC. The British Government have received a dispatch from tho Emperor of Russia, in which he states that he regards the piospcct of war between Russia and Great Britain as a most deplorable event. Earl Granville, Foreign Secretary, has replied to the dispatch, cordially agreeing with the Emperor, and expressing a _ hope that the negotiations now proceeding between the two Powers may lead to war being averted. A number of Afghan tribes are reported to be hostile to England. It is believed that Osman Dig.ieh is engaged in mustering his forces on the mountains preparatory to an attack upon the British forces. He is running short of supplies, and an attack is expected daily. The Irish informer Kavanagh, who went to the colonies after tho Phoenix Park tragedy, is now confined in a lunatic asylum. April 19. The Ameer of Afghanistan has expressed himself unwilling to allow British troops to traverse his territory. The Press of London, referring to the rumors current respecting the terms upon which tho Afghan frontier question is to be settled, deplore the suggested surrender of Peiij-clfeh, und assert that a conflict with Russia is thereby only postponed.

A. rumor is circulated that Germany and Austria have threatened to discard the terms of the Berlin treaty unless Turkey preserves the neutrality of the Hellespont in the event of war between England and Russia. The Admiralty are waiting- a reply from the Australian Governments to the proposal made by Admiral Tryon that he should assume the control of all colonial war-ships. April 20. Turkey has determined upon remaining neutral should war occur between Great Britain and Russia. The troops which have been mobilised in India are not to advance into Afghanistan, as the Ameer persists in the assuranco that he is able to defend his territory from attack without the assistance of British troops. He is, however, to bo supplied with arms and money by the British Government. The loyalty of the Ameer to Great Britain is regarded with doubt. Quantities ot stores and ammunition are being despatched to Quetta. April 21. Tho arrogant tone displayed by Russia towards England on tho Afghan frontier question is increasing. The British Government advised the Fgyptain authorities to suppress the Bosphoro Egypticnne, and this has led to the relations between France and England becoming strained. It is suspected that France and Russia are conspiring together to annoy England.