HOME AND FOREIGN

Patea Mail, Volume X, Issue 1317, 6 March 1885, Page 3

HOME AND FOREIGN

—COPYRIGHT.] • LONDON, March 3. In the House of Lords to-day Earl Granville stated that the Government had received information that the Russians in Central Asia have occupied Znlfikar Pass, in the Hindoo Khoosh Mountains, and have advanced to within a few miles of Panjdehin, Afghanistan ; that Sir Peter Lumsden, British Commissioner on the frontier, reports the advance on the part of the Russians. His Lordship added that the Government have urged the Russian Government to order its commanders to halt, and make no further encroachment on Afghan teritOl ' y - March 4. Diplomatic relations between England and Germany at present are somewhat strained in consequence of the contents of the English Blue Book and the Gcrman White Book on colonial affairs recently issued. Bismnrk, it is understood, complains of the publication in the Blue Book of the report of an interview which took place between himself and Sir Edward Malet, British Embassador, and.telegrams from Berlin state that the Deutsche Zeitnng, referring to the English Blue Book, says the publication of the interview was malevolent, and can only put an end to all confidential parleying. March 5. Count Herbert Bismarck, acting Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Germany, has arrived at London. His mission is to bring about a friendly understanding between Germany an England on the Pacific question. The Times to-day states that tlie Government have decided forthwith to ask Parliament to authorise the increase of the standing army by fifteen thousand meil ‘ BERLIN, March 3. It has been announced th t Germany Ras assumed a protectorate over the territory hitherto held by the Colonising Society, situated to the westward of Zanzibar. ______