EUROPEAN CABLEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6340, 14 March 1882, Page 5

EUROPEAN CABLEGRAMS.

[I'HR S.S. TE A.VAtr, AT THE BLUFF.]

London, February 2S. Amoncst other indications of impending war in Europe, Austria is rapidly strengthening her garrisons on the eastern frontier.

Mr. Conkling, the well-known American lawyer, anil senator, has been appointed one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States.

At a meeting of the Cabinet to-day it was decided not to allow the Hon. Mr. Forster, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, to give evidence before the select committee appointed by the House of Lords, who inquired into the working of the Irish Land Act.

In consequence of the difficulty which had arisen between the Government and the House of Lords, Mr. Gladstone has expressed liis desire for the House of Commons to pass a vote of confidence in the Ministry. The existing state of affairs in Egypt causes considerable anxiety. Warlike preparations arc being made by the Nationalist party, and additional works are already undertaken. They are reported to contemplate the fortification of the entrances to the Suez Canal.

Disastrous Hoods have occurred in the United dtates along the Mississippi River, which became greatly swollen by the snow and melted ice from the Upper Mississippi, and bursting its embankments on the level, inundated tbe low-lying land in the Mississippi Valley. Upwards of 12,000 persons have been rendered destitnte by the floods. Further fighting has taken place in Herzegovina between the Austrian troops and the insurgents. The latter were victorious, the regular troops being defeated with considerable loss.

Lord Houghton, who has been suffering from a severe illness, is now recovering. Another Ministerial crisis is imminent in Egypt. The army is dissatisfied with the

existing arrangement?, and the Arabs are making warlike preparations. The balloons with which some aeronauts endeavoured to cross from the city of Canterbury to France dipped into the English Channel when off Dover, but the occupants in the car were rescued without injury. The woman Furneaux, who was arrested in Birmingham last month, has been brought up and charged with having obtained £•.20,000 by fraudulently personating Lord Clinton, and by forgery. Lord Coleridge was examined a3 witness, and he stated that all the letters purporting to have been written by him are forgeries. The prisoner has been committed for trial. Nine hundred Eton boys waited upon Her Majesty, at AVindsor Castle, to-day, and presented her with an address of congratulation upon her recent escape from assassination. The Queen graciously received the boys, and personally thanked two or their numi.er who were instrumental in securing McLean, and who severely pummelled him after ho had fired his revolver. In Ireland a scheme has been started which has for its object the payment of those Irish Home Rule members who support Parnell and his programme in the House of Commons. It is suggested that the members shall receive £300 a-year from the fund necessary for the purpose raised by a rate levied upon the electors and by f-20.000 ■which the Irish National Land League offers to appropriate for the purpose. The police have arrested five persons in Brussels on suspicion of having been connected with flic great robbery of diamonds from tin; 1 fatten Garden Post-oiKuc, London, on the lTtli November last. Joseph Coper, member for Newcastle, has given notice of iiis intention to move that a free pardon be -ranted to Davitt. the recently elected member for Meath, who was some year.s ago convicted of treason-felony. The "Government is continuing to make arrests in Ireland of persons suspected of being concerned in the acts of violence and intimidation that have been freijuent of late in County Wexford. Nine persons have been seized by the police and lodged in gaol. The damage done by the explosion of an infernal machine at the railway shed at Bemlan turns out to be more serious than was at first reported. In addition to the destruction of a great part of the railway station, it has been ascertained that ten lives were lost through the explosion. Party feeling is very much excited over the Northampton election. Mr. Corbett. the Conservative candidate, was assaulted by the supporters of Mr. IJradlaugh, and was in considerable danger. Assistance of the military had to be called in to restore order.

The American supporters of the Irish Land League have decided to hold a convention at "Washington in April, for the purpose of expressing sympathy with that body, and devising means to assist in carrying out the object. It is expected that there will be a large gathering of Irish sympathisers on the occasion. It is reported that the Nihilists who have been convicted and sentenced to death will not be executed. The C."-ir has decided to commute the sentence to penal servitude. Real difficulty has i ecu experienced lately in the navigation of the Atlantic, owinsi to the multitude- of icebergs which havs drifted southwards. Several vessels were placed In considerable danger, and it is thought that some which arc now overdue have been detained bv the same cmse.

In consequence of tho great frequency of street outrage and acts of personal violence of late, the Government has decided to adopt severe measures for their suppression. A Bill will shortly be introduced into Parliament to enable the authorities to deal effectually with this class of offences. A fatal and calamitous accident occurred to a Thames ferry boat. It was crowded with passengers, "and capsized and sank, l-'orty-seven lives were lost. Owing to representations made to the Czar by the Council of Ministers, it is believed that General Ignatieff' will bo removed from the head of the Ministry. His successor \\ ill probably be Walmouioil", who has held for some years the post o: Minister of the Imperial Dominions. General Skobcloff. who is now at St. Petersburg, has delivered a speech on tho present position of affairs. Referring to thn Panslav movement, the General highly eulogised the Poles, who, he asserted, were well affected towards the Russian Government, and could be thoroughly relied on iu a struggle entered upon by Russia for the purpose of freeing the Slavs, who were oppressed by foreign powers. Trickett is training at Putney for the champion sculling match with Hanlan, which is to be rowed on the Ist of May for £500 a-side.

The Austrian commander of the insurgent provinces has refused to allow newspaper correspondents to accompany his army. Several special correspondents in Bosnia have been arrested by his order.

The Turkish Government have completely evacuated Thessaly, and Greece has now full possession of the territory ceded her.

The proclamation of Prince Milan has been received with general assent by the chief European Powers. It is considered that the change is the complete independence of Servia, and it has a claim to be admitted once of the recognised European States. Although the chief Europeans Powers have recognised the new kingdom o£ Servia, strong objections are felt in Austria at the assumption at the present time of a royal title by Prince Milan. The Press of Vienna and Pesth are unanimous in condemning tlio step taken as ill-timed and calculated to increase the existing complication in the Danubian province.

The Gladstone Ministry have been for some time past considering t'ne advisability of appointing a Minister of Commerce and Agriculture. They have decided upon doiut,' this, and the appointment will shortly be announced.