NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 14 September 1880, Page 2

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

(PEE STEAMER AT AUCKLAND.), THE AFGHAN DISASTER. . London, July 30, A great shock was caused by the news of the defeat of General Burrows' Brigade communicated by the Marquis of Hartino. don to the House of Commons on J u f y 28th. The Government immediately took the most energetic measures to dospatch reinforcements. The Orontes left 011 tho> 30th July, and the Euphrates, Malabar and Himalaya sail about August 12. Eacb. take a battalion and a half of troops fromi England. The forces being despatched are—First Battalion 23rd Foot and 77thi Regiment of Foot; Ist Battalion Rifle. Brigade from Gibraltar, and 2nd Battalion 24th from Malta; the 61st and 98th Regiments. The reinforcements amount to 5478. The English journals and all pap. ties unite in recommending the most vigorous action in order to re-establiah the British prestige. The Liberals regard the_ present difficulty as the natural,' heritage of the position taken up by the Beaconsfield Government in Afghanistan, while the Conservatives retort that tho disaster proceeds from the weak policy inaugurated by the present Government. The foreign papers comment at considerable length on the disaster, and the. news created an immense sensation, in all parts. Many French papers blamei the policy of the Liberal Government., The Nationals observes that Mr. Gladstone advances somewhat rashly in several! cases, and this is the only case in which; he has receded. He is nowbound to take, the offensive again. The Pays says thatt the Premier proved himself absolutely wrong in all his provisions and calculations, while the |Debate points out that the English Caiinet must now feel, convinced that something far different from purely naval assistance will have to b& given to the Ameer of their choice. Thft Nationale-Zeitung of Berlin attributes th& 1 repetition of such disasters to the vacillating policy of the British Governmontr, and the faulty strategy of a British mili> tary commander.

GENERAL SUMMARY. The reply of the Porte to the yolleotivo note of the Great Powers on the Greek question is that Turkey objects to tho cession of Julametzeroo and Larisfa for strategical reasons, and on the grouud of nationality. The Golos and other Russian Government organs, are commenting on tho attitude of the leading French papor3 regarding the coercive measures towards. Turkey, and reproduce most significant, paragraphs from French articles to show that the French Cabinet and nation aro not willing to join in any real action against the Turkish Empire. The North German Gazette approves of the attitude of the French, and says France is not the only Power which deprecates a rash solution of the Eastern Question* and that no reason exists why affairs should not soon take a decided turn. Vesuvius is in active eruption. An earthquake occurred at Smyrna ami neighborhood, causing the loss of sever.! lives, and the throwing down of many houses.