NEWS BY CABLE.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 184, 7 April 1896, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

THE SOUDAN EXPEDITION. Cairo, April 8

Osman Digna threatens Sinkat. A battalion of Soudanese marching on Dongola has been diverted to Tokar.

Cairo, April 4.

The situation at Suakim is critical. Colonel Parsons and some officers have left Wady-Halfa to organise the defence of that part with one Soudanese and two Egyptian battalions. London, April 4. It is expected that an Indian* contingent will be sent to Suakim.

FRENCH AFFAIRS.

Paris, April 4

The Premier stated in the Chamber of Deputies that the Government declined to have anything to do with the Chinese Loan, because the security offered, the balance of customs revenue, was already mortgaged. Mr Bourgeois also stated that he read an assurance that the West river (Canton river J, would not be opened to the British until France had bee.n granted a right to construct a railway from their possession into the interior.

The Government was watching the Chinese selection of English officers. Mr Bourgeois added that the agreement with Russia was never more cordial or complete.

After the conclusion of the debate in the Chamber of Deputies the Premier had a long conference with Baron Mohrenhum, Bussian Ambassador.

IMPEBIAL PAELIAMENT. London, April 4. Sir John Gorsfc's Education Bill has passed its first reading. The Bill establishes committees in countries and county boroughs under the London County Council, to supplement existing efforts to administer grants received from the exchequer and provide grant of four shillings per head for voluntary and poorer relief schools. Parents are enabled to demand separate religious teaching. The school age is fixed at limit of twelve years. Capitation grants are to be abolished.

London, April 4. The Australian-bred Paris (by Q-randmaster—Naomi) won the Great Northamptonshire Stakes. - Thirteen horses started. Paris, who was favorite, won in a canter by six lengths. The Times considers the new Australian eleven a really strong lot, and hopes Kelly will be successful behind the wiGkets.

Mexico, April 4. President Diaz, in a message to the Cortes, approves of the Monroe Doctrine as a guarrantee of the autonomy of the American Republics. He advises them to proclaim similar principles.

Sydney, April 4. A peculiar tragedy is reported from Paddington, where a widow named Gross, who lived alone, was found burned to death in her house. Tho body was reclining in a cbair in the centre of the room, and matches which had been lighted were found underneath the chair. The woman was of an eccentric character, and the surroundings of the case indicate suicide.