ENGLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7632, 4 January 1887, Page 2

ENGLAND.

London, December 22.

The outlook in Europe is again very threatening, and ominous preparations are being made for war. ' -■'":. . The Turkish Government is rapidly massing an enormous number of troons in Macedonia. The Austro-Hiingarian Government lias despatched an order to America for 40,000 rifles, with. special in-, junctions requiring its speedy fulfilment, a condition Tjeing made that the' rifles shall be supplied before March. , A report has been published that Count Herbert Bismarck during his! interview 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 probable that tho deposed ruler, Prince Aloxandor, willbe reelected unless .the Powers : agree io the candidature of Prince Nicholas of. Mm

grelia. ' Intelligence has been received that the Eussian Government has made proposals with the object of aecuriug tho annexaton of Herat, and has offered to give to Afghanistan ; other territory in compensation. , ' ' ". ■

December 24.

Lord .Randolph Churchill has explained the reason which induced him to take the step he did. . He states his desire to see the fighting efficiency of both brandies of the service increased, but considers everything necessary in that direction could he achieved without increasing the presont outlay, if the' monoy were carefully and judiciously expended. He has intimated that, notwithstanding his^ disagreement with tho policy of the Government, he, will continue to give them his support, and will abstain from making an attackon them-even on the question 1 regarding which he differs 'from' their policy. , The Standard regards the desertion .o f lord Randolph Churchill as, a real gain to the Conservative party. '. . Considerable uneasiness continues to prevail with regard to the situation in Europe. The relations hetween .Count Kalnoky and Prince Bismarck are greatly strained, the Austrian Government o\\ ■ jecting strongly to the decision arrived at by Germany to allow Russia a freehand with rogard to tho settlement of the' 'Biil- ■ gaiian question. The Austrian. Govern-^ ment liave, vigorously undertaken the. work of placing tho fortresses on the, Gallician frontier, abutting, on Russian •territory; in a thorough state of .efficiency and readiness for immediate use.

Pririfee Alexander of Battenburg has had an interview with the Bulgarian dele- J gates at Cologne. . A proposal to re-elect him, to tl\e sovereigiuty of the provincewas discussed, but the, result has. not been allowed 'to transpire.-^ .:■ ,■'■ ' i December. 27. Hopes are now entertained', that, the. difficulty' which has arisen in. connection with' Bulgaria may be settled ..without re-, sorting to arms. 1 It is .cpnsidqred'.'that^ the attitude of. Germany,. precludes 7{,lie probability 'of -war, unless the Czar should ~ want to provoke it, as a . belief- pravails ; that. Austria,. except with thbpmySentbf' hsr alliesj Syqujd 'h^Ktj^ 1 '

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