Cablegrams. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, May 21st.

Otago Witness, Issue 1383, 1 June 1878, Page 15

Cablegrams. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. London, May 21st.

The statement that General Todleben sent an ultimatum to the Porte demanding that the Turks should evacuate Varna, Shumla, and Batoum, ami the Russians occupy Bujukdere, is semi-officially denied.

The Bpeech of Lord Hartington was moderate, being confined to the question of Constitutional rights. The object of concealing the slip (?) of Parliament could be only to aspert the prerogative of the Crown. The Attorney-General and Mr Gladstone argued the legal points. The latter protested against making a precedent of an act violating Constitutional liberties. Mr Newdegate supported the resolution. May 22nd.

The Attorney-General in reply to a question, said the Government had received no information confirming the report of vessels designed for privateers being bought in America by Russian agents.

On the reaumpt ion of the debate on Lord Harrington's mo l ion, the speeches were desultory, and the House adjourned.

Noth'ng authentic is known here regarding Count Schouvaloff's mission to St. Pttersburg. It is still hoped the Conference will meet. A four per cent. Queensland loan of £2,200,000 has been announced.

May 24th. The meeting of Congress is now almost certain.

The following persona have been created Knights of the Grand Crosß of Sb Michael and St George : — Sir William Jervois, Judge Gait, Canada. The following have been created Knights Commanders : — J. M. Wil» son, ex-Premier of Tasmania, A. Michie, Agent- General for Victoria, John Hay, President of the Legislative Council of Sydney. The following gentl«men have been created Companions : — Le Froy, Treasurer, P*rth ; Colonel Anderson, Victoria j Henry Halloran, Sydney ; Bishop Perry, of Melbourne, has been created a Prolate of the Order.

May 23rd.

Count Schouvaloff is in LondoD, and will have an interview with Lord Salisbury tomorrow.

Supplementary estimates were introduoed to-day for the Indian contingent of the army and for an increase to the naval vessels on the New Zealand station.

May 24th. The strictest secrecy is maintained re Count Sehouvaloff's mission, pending the reply of the British Government The prevalent opinion is that it is of a pacific character, and that there will be an early meeting of the Congress.

May 25th. The Duke of Cambridge inspects the Indian forces at Malta.

May 25th. Discount rates in open market are falling, and a reduction in the Bank minimum is expected. The Bank reserve is slightly better than during last week. Consols firm at 95J The market for Australian securities is remarkably firm. Wool is showing a better tone, and the market is hardening. Of wheat there is a large foreign supply and Home stock.

A Cabinet Council wag held yesterday, when Count Schouvaloff's proposals were considered. The Council is summoned for to-day, when the final resolution of the British Government is expected to be announced.

May 26th. The Congress is to be held in June, and it is expected an early invitation will bo issued to the Powers.

On the anniversary of the Queen's Birthday, celebrated on Saturday, there were reviews and banquets. Many old colonists attended a dinner given by Sir M. HicksBeach, Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Obituary : The Duchess of Argyle. Consols. 96£.

Bank rate of discount, 3 per cent ; market rate, 2\ per cent.

Adelaide wheat, 57s to 59s ; flour, 395. Since the opening of the wool sales, 91,800 bales have been offered. The decline ab the opening has since recovered except for crossbreds.

May 27th. The Ministerial journals contradict the rumours that Sir Stafford Northcote and Mr W. H. Smith (First Lord of the Admiralty) have tendered their resignations. Another Cabinet Council has been summoned for to-day. (SrEciAL to Press Agency.) London, May 27 th. Prince Bismarck has invited the Great Powers to attend the Conference, ■which is expected to meet at Brrlin on June 11th. The San Stefano Treaty ia to be submitted to the consideration of Congress.

It was officially utated in Parliament that the prospects of peace have materially improved.

London, May 28fch. Lord John Russell is dead. Consuls, 97i.

St. Petersburg, May 26tb. The unofficial Press here angrily ask the

Russian Government if the report of Russian concessions be true.

The Signatory Powers are unprepared with the details of the pending negotiations, but the prospects expected from the Congress have materially improved.

May 28th.

The metropolitan papers are sanguine that the Peace Congress will meet on June 11th. It is substantially confirmed that Prince Bismarck will preside. England will be represented by Lord Salisbury, Rußsia by Count Schouvaloff, and Austria by Count Andrassy. The naval preparations at Chatham have been relaxed.

There has been sharp and continuous fighting in South Africa, but the British and Colonial forces have been generally successful.

Vienna, May 26ih. Austrian troops have, by friendly arrangement, occupied the Tchatohack.

Constantinoplb, May 21sfc.

A number of riotous refugees entered the palace and cheered for the ex-Bultan Murad. The rioters refusiog to disperse were fired on by the military.

May 23rd. A great fire here destroyed the palaces of the Minister of Justice and the Supreme Council of State.

The Russians are advancing within the neutral zone.

May 24th. The Kusso- Turkish Commission failed to agree to a line of demarkation. Athens, May 22nd. Severe but indecisive fighting has taken place at Crete.

(Sp£Cial to the Melbourne Abgus.) London, May 12th.

Hoedel denies that he attempted to shoot the German Emperor. His object was to expose the sufferings of the poor by a public suicide. He ia identified with the extreme social and Democratic party. There iB intense loyal excitement in Berlin, and oongratulations have been received by the Emperor from all parts.

May 14th. The captain of the Cimbria has received offers from the owners of 170 American steamships, bat only 45 are available as cruisers. He has consulted eminent American lawyers regarding the neutrality laws.

Russian officers, agents, and seamen are arriving by almost every steamer from French and German ports

May 24th. Hopes for the maintenance of peace are greater. The greater part of the Sublime Porte waa burnt by the fire yesterday, which is aupposed to have been accidentally caused. The majority of the Government in the Houee of Commons exoeeds 120.