CABLE NEWS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 169, 20 January 1888, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

HOME AND FOItEIGN. Per Electric Telegraph— Copyright . THE IRISH QUESTION. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION. RESIGNATION OF SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH. THE ABYSSINIAN WAR. United Press Association. London, Jan 17. Mr Wilfred Blunt lias resisted the endeavors of the gaol officials to make him wear prison garb. The gaoler succeeded in removing his overcoat from the cell, and Mr Blunt declared to the Justices who visited him that Mi’ A. J. Balfour, Irish Secretary, had told him that the Government intended to solve the Irish difficulty by imprisoning the leaders of the National party, and treating them as criminals. Already six of those now imprisoned are reported to be in ill-health and it is alleged that some of them will not survive the treatment they are subject to in prison. It has transpired that Mr Jaspar Pyne has effected his escape to England. Mr Pyne, who is member for West Waterford, was charged with inciting resistance to the sheriff, and in order to prevent being arrested fortified his residence, Lisfarny Castle, and after holding out for some time succeeded in escaping. Continued interest is being manifested in the mission of the Duke of Norfolk to the Vatican. It is rumored that he has been parleying for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and England on condition that the Pope will intervene in respect to Ireland. Mr J. A. Balfour, Chief-Secretary for Ireland, emphatically denies that there is any truth in the rumor.

The Comte de Paris, in the course of a speech, said that Lord E. Churchill’s visit to St Petersburg had led M. Plorens to believe that an arrangement was possible between England, France and Russia, and that ho was now considering terms on which such an arrangement might be effected. Jan 18.

A large proportion of tho Victorian Loan was paid under discount.

Mr Bailees, Postmaster-General, has waived the question with reference to the parcels post, and will agree to return the Companies a reduction of twopence when the public rates are again lowered. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach has retired from the Cabinet,

Arrived: Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s Tainui at Plymouth, from New Zealand, all well. Her cargo of meat is in splendid condition. Pakis, Jan 17. A. French sentiuol on the frontier reports that he has been attacked by Germans, and his rifle stolen from him. Jan 18. Baron de Worms has had several successful interviews with French statesmen relative to the sugar bounties decision at the recent conference. He now proceeds to Brussels. M. Flourens, Minister of the Interior, has announced that the French Ambassador w'll be withdrawn if tlie Italian ;j udges carry out their threat of again opening the French consulate dispute. The situation is becoming grave. Rome, Jan 17. Comments of the French press with reference to the consular dispute continue in most irritating terms. St Petersburg, Jan 17. Typhoid fever has broken out in the army in Poland, and forty lqen have been frozen tq deathVienna, Jan 16. The fears of an outbreak qf war in the spring have boen strongly intensified by the presence of prominent Italian officers in this city, who are stated to be concerting a scheme of action to be carried out by the Triple Alliance in the event of war.

The Austrian press ridicule the optimist statement contained in the Epssian Budget, aqd thinks, so far from being a prqof of peace, it is rather a blind qf Eussi'a’s j;rue intentions. Bbrlik, Jan 18. Lord Lytton’s first reception was a most brilliant success. It is officially stated by military authorities that the Russian troops on the frontier far outnumber those fif (Germany anct Austria. ' 1 The Emperor,' addressing the Eed Cross Societies, said he hoped the peaoe of Europe woiilh be preserved. Sofia, Jau 17. General Iguatieff and Prince Nikita, of Montenegro, are connected with the recent raid on the town of Bourgais, 1 ‘ ' ' " '' 1 - 1 SpAian, Jan 17.

T'ho Italian troops huve been ordered to await the assault of the enemy, and not take offensive action. The garrison will remain on the defensive, all outposts being strongly entrenced.