CABLE NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 34, 11 February 1881, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN. IMPORTANT DISCOVERY OF A SECEET TREAT Y. SECOND READING OF THE COERCION BILL BY AN IMMENSE MAJORITY. A DEFEAT OF THE BOEBS. [BETJTBR's TKLSGHAMS.j London, Bth February. According to official documents which have been published, General Sir Frederick Roberts discovered, while in occupation at Cab til, a secret treaty for an offensive and defensive alliance, signed between Russia and the Ameer, dated August, 1878 ; also, a letter from the Russian General Stolietoff (sic), dated in October of the same year, advising Shere Ali to sue for peace with England, but at the Bams time to secretly prepare for war. Other papers which were found, moreover, show that the Russian policy included measures to incite an armed rebellion of the Mahomedans in India. 9th February. In the House of Commons last night, the Irish Coercion Bill was read a second time, on a division, showing a majority of 300 to the Government. Capetown. Bth February. Further news to hand from Natal states that since the stoppage of the mail between Lang=ack and Newcastle, General Sir Geo. Colley has despatched a force to clear tho road of Boers. 9th February. Later intelligence from Governor Sir George Colley, in the Transvaal, announces that his force has successfully attacked and defeated a large body of Boers whom it encountered between Newcastle and Ingogo. The British loss in tho fight was 150 killed and wounded. The enemy suffered very heavy loss, bnt the extent is not stated. General Colley expects to be able to maintain his position in the Transvaal until the i arrival of reinforcements from Europe. Further official intelligence from the j Transvaal states that Sir George Colley, advancing with his force to clear the road to Newcastle, seized the plateau of Ingogo, when the Boera made a strong attack on the position. Heavy fighting ensued, lasting fully six hours. Both sides suffered severely, but the enemy were finally repulsed with heavy loss, and withdrew at sunset. The British troops then returned to camp, where General Colley hopes to maintain his position until the arrival of reinforcements. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. THE PANAMA CANAL.— OPERATIONS COMMENCED. TAXATION IN TURKEY. London, Sth February. Intelligence has been received from Pauama that the first batch of engineers has arrived, and the preliminary operations in connection with the construction of the Isthmus Canal have been commenced. Constantinople, 9th February. The Porte has deoided to raise an internal loan, and to levy a poll-tax, to defray the oust of the last war.