ENGLISH NEWS

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8125, 23 March 1887, Page 5

ENGLISH NEWS

[Pee Beuter’s Agency.] (Per s.s. Ballarat at Albany.) LONDON, Feb. 18. The centre of political gravity continues to sway between Eastern and Western Europe, being one day in Bulgaria and the next on the Ehine. There is an absence of continued panics, merely because speculation and commerce are alike paralysed. In the face of the'growing nightmare, which is almost bad as war, business is at a standstill, and the brighter prospects which were apparent at the close of the year are clouded over by the growing impression that peace cannot long be preserved. It is not surprising, therefore, that Austria, like other nations, is rapidly pushing forward warlike preparations, to be in readiness, if necessary, to defend her vital .interests. At the same time, the tone adopted by M. Katkoff, editor of the Moscow Gazette, warns Germany, that there exists a national and traditional quarrel between the Eussian and German people, distinct from Courts or Governments, which is aggravated by commercial jealousies. The gravity of the general situation may be gauged by the war preparations in all the States, especially in south-west Bussia. A serious conspiracy was recently discovered in St Petersburg, implicating members of the upper classes, as well as State officials, it being stated that several officers of the guards have been arrested. Fears are entertained of a rising in Afghanistan in the spring, in consequence of which the Ameer is sending additional troops to Candahar and elsewhere. Bussia is reported to be sowing dissension between the Ameer and the Shah of Persia.

Sir P. Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, is understood to be anxious that the true conduct of the New Hebrides question should be properly brought before the Imperial Conference. The differences which have hitherto existed between Victoria and New Soulh Wales on this subject, and which have been so detrimental to the settlement of the question by Prance and England, should in his opinion be reconciled when the matter is considered fully by all the Colonial delegates. These differences constitute the greatest obstacle to a final settlement, because unless the Colonies, which are the parties chiefly interested, are agreed upon some plan for effecting a settlement, it will certainly be impossible for the Imperial Government to arrive at an understanding with Prance. The Colonial delegates should therefore lose no opportunity afforded by the Conference to adopt concerted action among all the Colonies. Sir Dillon Bell entertains the confident hope thatif thisbetheresultof their deliberations, the way may be paved towards an amicable settlement of the question, which has prevented that cordial bond between the Mother Country and the Colonies, which is so much to be desired by all at this moment. It is understood that at the present time there is a specially favourable prospect of an arrangement, because recent communications between Sir Dillon Bell

and eminent French politicians show that a more friendly feeling exists towards the Australian Colonies than the latter seem to suppose, and a strong desire to return to more cordial relations with them.