THE OUTLOOK IN EUROPE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 36

THE OUTLOOK IN EUROPE.

London, January 14. Lord Rosebery declares that foreign affairs at present demand the most concentrated, vigilant and sympathetic attention of all parties. The new flying - squadron is being provisioned for six months. The impression prevails that it will make a tour of the world. An effusive iricudslnp between the Russians ana J.nrks on the frontier of Asia, is causing some comment. . London, January IG. Mr Balfour, speaking at Manchester, said he was unaware of any Power that was prepared to dispute England’s decision to control the Transvaal oxternally. As to the Venezuelan difficulty, when the facts wore revealed Anglo-Saxon sense would discover a settlement. He declared that the British Umpire was never in better fighting trim than at the present time. 1 he Admiralty has called for tenders for die construction of 10 cruisers, to be completed in a year.

The Standard, referring to the loyal assurance from the Australian Governments, considers such timely sympathy exceedingly welcome. Mr Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury, in accepting the Freedom of the City of Glasgow, said the Britishers at Home and in the colonies were undivided in tlieir intention to defend tlic rights of the Empire. In his speech at Manchester Mr Balfour, replying to the remarks of the Duke of Westminster in connection with the Armenian outrages, said that concerted action by the Powers had been deferred in hope that the promised reforms by Turkey would prove successful. France is protesting against the suggested cession of Zcila, a seaport town of Somaliland to Italy by Groat Britain. Zeila is part of the British Protectorate formed on that portion of North-east Africa in 1885. The reported cession of Zeila by Great Britain is denied, but it is explained that the English officials allowed the passage of Italian troops through the port. Jk London, January 17. England and-isSktugel are parleying vith regard-'to ii n JBfc f, as AtvrG.n.

It is rumoured that England has bought Delagoa by virtue of pre-emption. London, January 17. Lord Wolseley, Commander-in-Chief, says he has never known the British army to be better prepared for war than at present. The Electrical Engineers’ .Society has offered to organise a service for national defence. Mr Chamberlain declares that the national difficulty has proved that the old spirit is still alive, and that the resources of the Empire were never better able to meet any emergency. Vienna, January 14. Austrian newspapers state that the impetuous policy of the Emperor of Germany is weakening the Triple Alliance. Bert,in, January 15. The Colonial Party is agitating for a vote of 200,000,000 marks for "the increase of the German navy. Ottawa, January 17. The captains of steamers on Lake Ontario have offered their services in the event of an outbreak of war. New York, January 17. The New York Sun states that friction is likely to ensue from England’s retention of an island in American waters. Tlie Pope has offered to arbitrate in the Venezuela difficulty. Sydney, January 17. The Government is taking steps to increase the strength of the Permanent Artillery. This is owing to the situation in Europe. Washington, January 10. Mr Olney, Attorney-General, is in favour of the purchase by the United States of the Danish possessions in the West Indies Islands for the sum of 10,000.000 dollars. It is reported that President Cleveland is willing to prohibit the cession of South American territory to a European Power on any pretence whatever. News has been received that the Chilian troops have occupied passes in the Andes bordering on the boundary of the Argentine Republic. This move is expected to cause trouble.