EUROPEAN NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 160, 12 June 1883, Page 3

EUROPEAN NEWS.

(Per Tarawera at the Bluff.) (age specials.) (united press association.) London, May 27. During the recent engagement at Hanoi, fourteen French soldiers ware killed and twenty wounded. A body of troops has been despatched from Saigon to the assistance of the French. Later reports from Hanoi state General Reviere, the officer m charge of the French force, bad prepaied an ambus* cade for the enemy, and suddenly made sorties at the head of four hundred men ; but ibe opposing force proved too strong and the French were compelled to retire with great loss. Twenty six ol their men were killed, and fifty one wounded m the eDgagpmenfc. ■ The Froneh Government have despatched 2500 men from Toulon. Germany has announced that she approves of the policy adopted by France, and encourages her to proceed with it. | The utmost excitement prevails i amongst the Chinese, and 6000 troops are now massing at Tonquin, preparatory to marching against the French forces. General Reviere, who it appears, was one of the slain m a recent engagement at Hanoi, was killed by a bayonet, which passed completely through his body. A further reinforcement of 2CO , French troops have bfen despatched for Hanoi Irom Saigon. Kergaradie has been ordered to keep h>s. forces m teadiness, but to take no decisive steps until the receipt of farther instructions. The French Government hare resolved to withdraw 15,000 men from Tunis, so that they may be ready for immediate service at Tonquin if required. May 29. The Morning Post states that it has been definitely decided by the Governmeet to annex New Guinea and constitute it a Crown colony. May 31. The Standard this morning contains an article on the annexation of New Guinea. It refers to Lord Derby's re fusal to ratify tbe action of Queensland, and urges tha British Government to nanex the southern- eastern portion of the Island. Last night the House of Commons voted Baron Alcester £25,000 an<i General Lord Wolseley £30,000 as recognising the brilliant services rendered by them during the Egyptian War. . The determination of the Egyptian authorities to introduce manhood suffrageiotothat country has caused a feeling of great dissatisfaction amongst many sections of tne people. The peasantry declare that the system is not what they desire, and that they will not iVail themselves of it. The wheat crops throughout India and Russsia are looking well, and there is every prospect o f a bountiful harvest. The manifesto issue! by the Czar immediately after his coonation, has caused the greatest indignation m St. Petersburg.