AGE SPECIALS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1541, 18 January 1887, Page 3

AGE SPECIALS.

London, Jan. 4. The Marquia of Hartinerton, who is the recognised leader of the Unionist Liberal party, disapproves of the conference betweea Messrs Chamberlain, Gladstone and Merely, and Sir Vernon Harcourt. Lord Hartington has declined to attend the conference, and reserves to himself the right on behalf of the Unionist Liberal party to reject any decision that may be arrived at. Mr Chamberlain states that he is anxious to secure, if possible, the reunion of the Liberal party, for the resignation of Lord R.. Churchill has diminished his confidence in the-present Conservative ; Government. He hopes that the conference to be held will result in the Liberal party reuniting on a basis which will provide for Ireland a certain measure of autonomy which can be agreed to by all members of the party, the disputed points being left for future discussion. Jan. 6. ' Although the report that an alliance had been concluded between Russia and Germany has been emphatically denied, it is considered to be probable in well informed circles that an informal understanding has been arrived at between these two powers with reference to Bulgaria. The German organs controlled by Prince Bismarck stigmatise the report of the alliance first published on the authority of the Paris correspondent of the Times as a mere French invention promulgated for the purpose of sowing dissension between Germany and Austria. France, these journals say, is desirous to declare war but is «fraid to do so whilst the German and Austrian Empires are united. Jan. 7. Great excitement has been caused by intelligence that a Cracow newspaper has published a letter from its correspondent at Merv, in which the writer asserts that the Russian Government is vigorously making preparations to invade Afganistan in the coming spring. Their plan is to proceed towards the Persian Gulf via Herat. Large masses of troops have lately been transported to Merv by rail, and the total number now massed at that point is about 100,000. Further troops are expected to arrive shortly. The English Government, having read the intelligence of the movements of Russia, are actively engaged in preparing to meet the attack, and orders have been issued tor the purchase of 40,000 horses to be used in opposition to the Russian cavalry. The Imperial authorities have resolved i _!hm ■ M^nMAnmnnfa taw 4 rionnnn.

to provide reinforcements tor tne squadrons on the Australian station, when RearAdmiral Fairfax arrives to take command of the stations as a successor to Admiral Tryon, The Lords of the Admiralty are causing inquiries to be made as to the number of naval pensioners willing to volunteer for setive service in the event of England being involved in war with either Russia or France.

It is rumored tbal Qoyerement is making arrangements for calling out tbe

ygierves with little delay as possible .vhf'n r< ijirrocl. Tho Queen’s : r .ctor has oousei.Ld to re-opening the Ciawford v. Dilke divorce Case. The woman Fanny, who is >n s position to give important testimony, which should go far towards disproving the accusation made against Sir Charles Dilke, has now returned to London. It is stated that this woman is prepared to swear to the falsity of many of the most serious statements made by Mrs Crawford, as to the alleged improper intimacy that had existed between herself and Sir Charles Dilke. The friends of the latter have collected a mess of exculpatory evidence which will be adduced at the trial.