MAIL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1323, 7 April 1877, Page 8

MAIL NEWS.

London, March 3rd. Thirty vessels, with their entire crews, wer» lost in a gale on the English coast on the night of the 19th ult

The number of people on the relief works in India has decreased.

Small pox and measles are prevalent at Hong Kong, and pleuropneumonia amongst the cattle.

A colliery explosion occurred at Stonehill, Farnworth. Eighteen people were killed, and a most heart-rending scene ensued when tho bodies were taken cut.

A despatch from Paru says the intended marriage of King Alfonso and the Duke of Montpensier's daughter 13 announced, for the end of April, '

The Danish Deputies from Schleswig Holstein refused in the Beichstag to take the oath to observe the Prussian constii.ution, and were consequently debarred from further participation hi the proceedings of the House. The Moniteur cays it has authentic information that Emperor William recently expressed to the French ambassador at Berlin his sincere satisfaction at the complete accord between the French and German repressntatives at Constantinople. The Dahomey blockade is imperfect, as th« British Government rely on the assurance of certain chiefs that they will not assist the King of Dahomey. It is feared that a spirited policy would result in the butchery of the European captives. Gelele, the Dahoman ruffian, is protected by Amazons. The Boman correspondent of the Times states that it has been resolved that any Cardinal may be elected Pope on the death of Piu3 IX., irrespective of nationality. This decision was not reached without considerable discussion between the Pope and some members of the Sacred College. FULL TELEGRAMS RE EASTERN QUESTION, The Russian army south of the Caucasus, on the Asiatic frontier of Turkey, is in readiness for action. It numbers 115,000 men, with 35 field batteries,' and 250 heavy siege guns. A letter in the Cologne Gazette, from South Russia, says that a forced loan will probably soon be decreed. A further extension of mobilization is being determined upoa, but will scarcely be carried \ ont until milder weather. The commanders of the South Army have been crdered to victual their corps up to the middle of March at least. Earl Russell has given notice to the House of ■Lords that he will move that England shall cease all diplomatic intercourse with Turkey, on the ground that the nation is still barbarous and unworthy to rank among the enlightened people of Europe. It is rumoured that the Marquis of Salisbury is to be made a duke. The removal of the British squadron from Besika Bay to Malta is regarded as in furtherance of an understanding with other Powers. The Russian army is making enormous preparations to cross the Pruth. Orders from St. Petersburg are that the march could be accomplished without needlessly encumbering rail' ways which will transport artillery and ambulance. A Vienna special says the St. Petersburg Vidomiste has been threatened with suspension if it continues to agitate war. The Times Berlin correspondent says the leading personages of the Russian Government continue opposed .to immediate hostilities. War, therefore, in all probability, will be deferred until Turkey's financial and military decline is complete. Turkey may request Russia 10 demobilise her forces. A special from St. Petersburg says that the general opinion there is that Russia will not declare war agsiuat Turkey. The Standard's despatch from Vienna reports' that Roumania representatives have officially informed Count Andrassy that Rouniania desires to remain neutral in case of war, and the Roumania militia will be disbanded. As the Vienna correspondent of the Times says, the general declarations made by Turkey, have now ,come up in more precise form— ' namely; period of year to be given the Porte to carry through by means of the Constitution the reforms demanded by the~ Powers. If the Porte does not succeed, it will pledge itself to accept the guarantees suggested by the Ccnference. It may be meant only as a feeler, and as a counter project to the suggestion which is attributed to Russia, tha*. the Powers' grant a certain interval, but pledge themselves to use coercion if reforms are not effected at the expiration. ■ JPrince Milan has addressed a letter to th<) Sultan that he has accepted the Turkish conditions, except those claiming equality for Jews in S?rvia, and the right of the Porte to be diplomatically represented at Belgrade. , The.Sultan will grant Prince Milan a new firman, determining the future relations of the Servians and Turkey. - The Prince's decree dissolving the Servian Parliament has produced a decided sensation among the deputies, but the command was obeyed.