New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4288, 17 December 1874, Page 2

New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1874.

♦■ Irr our American exchanges wo have the key to a cablegram recently published in Australia, and transmitted to this colony, to the effect that a battle waß anticipated in the vicinity of Buenos Ayres. As the Argentine Republic had enjoyed several years of immunity from civil commotion, and no intimation had been given that any of the political leaders had raised the standard of revolt, it was impossible to make anything out of tho itom of news in question. Wo now learn that General Mitre, a former President of the Republic, is at tho head of the revolutionary forces, and that he is rapidly gathering strength. From telegrams published in a recent issue of the Neto Yorlc Herald, we gather that tho President, Dr. Avellandena, has issued o manifesto, in which ho claims the support of all lawabiding citizens, in his efforts to crush the rebellion. Public opinion runs strongly against tho President at tho soat of government, and there is disaffection in tho army, tho troops in some places shouting " Viva Mitre." Tho

revolutionists tinder LorEZ Jordan are making progress in the province of Entre-Jtios. The Government of this province was retained, by General Urquiza, in 1860, after the celebrated conference between that General and Mitre, who succeeded to the supreme authority on the abdication of President Derqui. In the Northern provinces, the Federal commander defeated the rebels in a general action, but ho was unable to follow up his victory owing to the want of horses. Meanwhilo Mitre, with 10,000 men, was closo to Buenos Ayres. It is stated that great alarm prevailed in the city, a revolt of the Government troops being apprehended. The President had, at the last mement, changed his cabinet, but it is doubtful whether this will satisfy tho malcontents, now that blood has been shed, and the industries of the country have been paralysed by civil war. It is very improbable that General Mitre will be content with half measures. His whole career leads to a different conclusion. He is perhaps the ablest man that the Argentine Republic has produced. Starting in life as a journalist, he exchanged the pen for the sword, and served in Peru and Chili. He returned to his own country, and while Minister of War he commanded the troops which were sent against the Federal forces under General TJrquiza, who defeated him; but ultimately he succeeded in getting rid of his rival and the President together, and on being elected to the vacant office, he consolidated jthe country, fixing the seat of government at the commercial centre, Buenos Ayres. What may be the special grievance which induced a man of his mature years and large experience to take up arms against the Federal Government, we do not know ; but considering the large public works in course of construction, and the public obligations of the Argentine Confederation to British bond - holders, we should say it is not a slight ono. At all events, what is transpiring at this part of South America is of more importance to England than to any other Power. The trade and interchange between the two countries are on a vast scale ; and the finances of the Argentine Republic are practically managed by Lombard-street. Civil war, therefore, is an ugly fact to contemplate, and must seriously affect every kind of Argentine stock. It is to be hoped that the strife will end without an assault on the capital.