THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 37

THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

London, January 20. 'The activity in the dockyards is being- maintained, and work is being carried on night and day. . The Queen will review the new flying squadron before the vessels leave on their cruise. It is reported that Great Britain has purchased from the Argentine Republic two cruisers now being constructed by Sir William Armstrong at his works in hlswick. London, January 22. At the banquet to Lord Lamington, Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, ihthe course of bis speech, alluded to a certain rebuke England had received amidst her misfortunes when surrounded by fealoua rivals. She had, ho said, bs.oii shown hostility and even hatred where' she had expected friendship, in view of the traditions of the past and the community of interests iriMr Chamberlain's reference to the German Emrieror evoked the singing of )« The Nation?,] Antlem "arid M IJvJg Biitamua. He twice Quoted Tennyson's oae "Long live the flag fie 'fleet' and throne," which was received with cheers. , . , "St. James' Gazette states that Lord Wolseley is preparing for the possible deswatch/ of 5000 troops for ioreiem P The statement as to Lord Sal.sbury s reply to ihe' enquiries o!.Mr O ney, Attorney General aT the United States, as to tue dJestSation of : the new flying squadron, is officially denied,, y < London, January 23, The Pall Mall Gazette states that Russia and Turkey have ratified a treaty on the lines of the treaty of offensive and defensive alliance signed between the two Powers at Unkiar-Skelessi, on the Bosphorus, in 1833. The Marquis of Lansdowne, Secretary of State for War,|has promised to give orders to coWt big gnns to the latest patterns, create an Sery reserve, and maintain the Army at T t f few Squadron goes to Berehaven to await sailing orders

Mall Gazette respecting an 0,11 eged RussoTurkish alliance on the Eastern question. London, January 25. Many denials are published of the reported Russo-Turkish Treaty. The Constantinople correspondent of the Speaker confirms the first statement, and adds that the Sultan has sent famous jewels to the Czar and presents worth .£35,000. The Vienna correspondent of tho Times telegraphs that it is reported that the Sultan of Turkey proposes to lavishly decorate- the Russian and Trench diplomatists. London, January 2G. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, said in the course of a speech that the enmity of Germany had determined England to increase her defences. The United States was rightly attache'! to the Monroe Doctrine, which England did not dispute, and war with the States was an impossibility. England wished to be able to count upon American support in Armenia, her own protest having been fruitless in the face of the apathetic condition of the rest of the European Powers. London, January 27. The English prsss continues to applaud Mr Chamberlain's administration of the Colonial Office, and reraises the steps taken by the War Office in preparation for a possible oatbreak of war. The press further suggests that a Volunteer Reserve should be formed in the colonies. The German Emperor's birthday was the occasion of renewed virulence against England on the part of the official press of Germany. Paris, Januar3' 22. The French Government is equipping a reserve squadron at Toulon for the purpose of strengthening the Channel Fleet. Vienna, Jan u ary 21. The work of blasting the Iron Gates on the River Danube will be completed by September next, when the largest vessels will be able to reach Vienna from the Black Sea. Vienna, January 2G. The Neue Freie Press says that Europe cannot permit any single Power to direct the destinies of Turkey. Berlin, January 23. Tho Emperor declares that if the Reichstag will not agree to increase the navy he will appeal to the patriotism of the electors. His proposal is to spend from 5 to 20 millions sterling. Prince Hohenlohe, the Chancellor, is hostile to the expenditure, and it is likely that he will resign. Bkkl';. 1 , Jairaai-v iJo, Dr Peters, German axploror, speaking in siiEDO„*t C 4" the petition to increase the etrViigth of the German Navy, urged that it was necessary to protect the national interests in various parts of the world. Constantinople, January 20. In Marash man;/ Christians hi'.Y r , r.oon tortured and killed, whilft, cJtiQv's. havebeen flayed alive. Constantinople, January 21. A number of Armenian and ' Anglican castors have been tortured at Marash. * •'■' ' ' Constantinople, January. ij3. The Sultan appears greatly displeased at Queen Victoria,'si lc.,tt<b 'insisting on reforms in Arc cilia. Th'oKussian Embassy is also greatly concerned at the determined attitude now displayed by Great Britain in connection with, this matter. Constantinople, January 27. When Sir Philip Givrri.e presented the Queen/s. Autograph' letter to the Sultan, the Utter, "detained, ijhe English 'representative U; a cold room without' any fire jfa&over, an hour, with the result that. Sir P-hilip, Cuyrie caught a chill. jvncl w. now confined to his bed. " Th? saltan denies the existence ©f the reported agreement with Kiisaia. St, Petersburg, January 06. The Russian Government has submitted to the Czar a proposal to expend 400,0J0,000 roubles, extending over a term of sevenyears, in a warship for eaoh warship construct*;';!/ by England. ThkCzar has approved the scheme. Washington, January 23. The Foreign Committee of the Senate urges the Powers to enforce the Berlin Treaty in connection with the Armenian difficulty. Washington, January 25.

Berlin Treaty in connection with the Armenian difficulty. Auckland, January 21.

At a large representative and enthusiastic meeting, Mr M. Niccol. chairman of the Harbour Board, presiding, it was resolved to establish a branch of the Navy League, and the following resolution was carried unanimously : "That, in the opinion of this public meeting of New Zealand colonists, the recent statesmanlike and patriotic action of Lord Salisbury in regard to Venezuela, and also in the Transvaal, has been such as to intensify our feelings of loyalty to the Throne, and to make us feel proud of being subjects of the Great British Empire." It was agreed that the Premier be asked to transmit the resolution to the Premier of England

Melbourne, January 2S

Speaking at a luncheon in connection with the Australian Natives' Association, Lord Brassey, Governor of Victoria, returned thanks as an Imperial official for the sympathy offered to England in the recent trouble. He thought it had played no insignificant part in producing improved relations between Great Britain and the foreign Powers. He trusted that the American dispute would be settled peaceably by arbitration. His Excellency referred to the strained feeling toward Germany, and said that England had stood firm, and the trouble was now over, but it had had the effect of improving her relations with France. He deprecated England's isolation in regard to Armenia, and thought co-operation with the United States would improve matters. The British Navy, he further stated, was never so strong as at present.