SUEZ MAIL NEW

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3470, 13 November 1879, Page 3

SUEZ MAIL NEW

(pbb abawata at the bluff.) Tdb Commission appointed by tho Imperial Government is instructed to report on tho condition and sufficiency of the means, both naval and military, provided for the defence of the most important ports within the colonies, and the sta'ions established or required within them for coaliog and refitting men-of-war, and for the protection of colonial commerce with tho United Kingdom, with each other, and with .foreign countries; also to determine what stations and ports it is desirable, owing to strategical or commercial value, to provide with an organised system of defence, in addition to the general protection of the navy, whether such defence should consist of permanent works, under Imperial orlooil troops, and lastly to'considor by whom, and in what proportion the cost should be defrayed. Tho English press considers that the oolonies should be more fully represented on the commission.

HB.H. the Prince of Wales wont to Portsmouth on the ' 7th, with Princes Albert Victor and George, who are going on a cruise in H.M.B. Bacchante, which proceeded to sea on the 28th, on her first commission.

The tusk of ivory which Cetewayosent to Lord Chelmsford arrived on the 15th at the Colonial Office. It is of enormous size, and one of the finest specimens of elephant's tusks that has been seen in this country. 'J he newspaper war whioh has lately prevailed between Germany and Russia has now subsided. Prince Gortschakoff'sflattery is'the motive of coolness between Prince Bjsmarck and Prince Gortsobakoff. The reported declaration of the latter to the editor of the Paris Solid, disclaiming all concern at the attacks of the Berlin papers against Bussia, has not yet been officially denied.

The completion of the Austrian occupation of Novi-Bazir was celebrated by a banquet in the Priejealje, at which tbe DukeofWurtemburg and Hasim Pasha took occasion to signalise the good underitanding and friendly alliance between their respective Governments and armed forces. Austria will_ make no further marohes into tbe territory of the Sultan. The Eiver Lun will become the boundary between the two countries. It is stated by a semi-official source that from a desire to hasten the process of dissolution of Turkey, Austria will do its utmost to facilitate the process of reorganisation. The peaceable occupation of flovi-Bazar having been successfully accomplished, the Austrian Minister for War intends to reduce the occupation troops. -8000 men out of 40,000 near Sarajevo, have been recalled home. Turkish troops will continue to occupy tbe greater part of Novivßazar, where the Aostrians are to hold the garrison.

A number of Chinese troops are being moved towards the Kuldja frontier, with a view probably of taking possession of the territory to be surrendered by Eussia in conformity with the new treaty.

Advices from Havanna, dated 2 n th fost, state that telegraphic communication between Holique and Santiago is interrupted. Three leaders of the late, insurrection have been assassinated at Colon 'on suspicion of sympathising with the present rising in Cuba. General Banco has declared that the assassins shall be punished. & letter from Havanna, dated 23rd, states that three Cuban planters, owners, respectively of 4000, 1200, and 800 slaves, have granted the latter their liberty. The slaves, however, entered into a contract with the planters to continue in their service for five years. Other slave-owners intend to pursue a similar course,

During his recent stay at Paris, Lord S tlisbury had an interview with M. Waddington. 7he results'are understood to be very satisfactory as regards tho Greek and Egyptian questions. It is Stated that Lord Salisbury expressed the Opinion that it was advisable henceforth to avoid any misunderstanding between the two great Powers and the new Khedive, so as to facilitate a solution of the difficulties with which he has to contend. As regards Greece, Lord Salisbury did not disguise his wish to see the frontier question with Turkey arranged, deeming a speedy solution essential in the interest of Turkey. The interview resulted in a complete understanding on both sides.

Tho Dominion Exhibition was opened at Ottawa on the 24th by the Marquis of Lome and the Princess Louise. The Governors of the State of Vermont and New Hampshire, and about 20,000 persons were present. The weather in the British Isles has been fine during the last month, but owing to the previous severity prices have risen. Harvest operations have now been mostly completed. It'has been resolved, at Plymouth, to invite 'Major Chard, the hero of Korke's Drift, to a banquet on his return from Zululand, and to present him with a sword of honour.

' A meeting, attended by about 18,000 people, was beld in Tipperary on the 20th instant, at which resolutions were passed demanding a reduction of rents, establishment of peasant proprietary, urging the farmers not to take land from which others have been evicted, and calling for Parliamentary activity from the Irish members. Another resolution, affirming allegiance to the principles of national self-government, was brought forward, but the phrase was altered to the principles of national independence, and the resolution in that form was passed. Mr Parnell, M.P., who was present, said that the land could not be cultivated unless the people owned it, and advised tenants who could not get a reasonable reduction of rent to pay no rent at all.

The armour-plated ship Superb—one of the vessels recently bought from the Turkish Government, and which ,has since undergone extensive alteration at Chatham-was floated out of the dock, which she has occupied for more than twelve months, on the 22nd inst.

Some thousands of workmen, out of employment, assembled on the 22nd inst., in Sunderland, and marched, accompanied by a band of music, to Sunderland Moor, where a resolution was passed expressing the hope that, as they were driven by great distress to appeal to the public, their fellow-men at work and the public generally would render all possible assistance Mr L. Smith, a member of the school board, proposed, " 'I hat the meet ing considers it the duty of the Governmeat'either to provide labour for the unemployed in hnj-iand by constructing uselul works, or to afford sufficient nr an> to enable tbein to i migrate to countries nbere they »ould be able to provide for themselves aid their lamilics" Thii> resolution was also carried unanimously 'the visit of Prince Bismarck to Vienna is universally regarded as indicating thi establishment of complete unanimity between Austria and Germany on all important questions of European policy,

The Emperor is believed to be fully in accord with Prince Bismarck's policy of friendship towards Austria. The French Government appears resolved to disregard the overtures of Russia, if any such have been made. Tho submarine cable between Algeria ond Marseilles has been successfully complet d, THE AFGHAN CAMPAIGN. Yakoop Khan and his son, with a suite of 45 members and an escort of about 200, arrived at tho British camo at Ens hi on the 27th September. Somoofthe tribes have recommenced their acts of annoyance to our troops, notwithstanding the friendly assurances of their head men. A largo party of Mongols attacked a convoy near Shutargardan on the 22nd September, killing 24 men and carrying off plunder Another attack on our position at Shutargardan was mado on tho 2nd instant, which was repulsed. A prevontivo expedition under General Tyler is to be sent against the Zaimukat Orkoes tribes, the inhabitants of the valley beyond Thull. General Robert's advance beyond Shu* targarden has been rather delayed, owing to want of transport. He, therefore, had to send back the waggons and await their arrival. On the 6th General Roberts telegraphed from Oharasia that reconnoitring parties were sent out on the road to Cabul that morning, and reported the enemy advancing with greater force from the city. Poon afterwards tho range of hills between Charasia and Cabul were crowded with troops and the populace, while the Ghilzais appeared on the hills. Both flanks reported that the road to Zhilabad was' threatened, along which Maopherson was advancing with a large convey of stores and ammunition, A warning was sent to him, and some assistance. It was absolutely necessary to carry the height in front before evening, and Colonel Baker with a force consisting of all arms, was told off for tho duty. After an obstinate resistance, he drove the enemy from tho main hill, capturing 12 guns, A turning movement was then made to the left, when ho was soon hotly engaged, and height after height was carried in gallant style. Our loss was comparatively small. That of the enemy is unknown; but it is supposed to be considerable. Large numbers of Ghilzais are still in the neighbourhood; but General Boberts hoped to advance within a short distance of Cabul on the 7th. The Ameer states that the Bala Hissar is no longer in possession of the people. He can trust his family now in the city. General Roberts is sanguine the country will soon quiet down, though the people are so opposed that it is useless to expect it at present. Great excitement prevails in the city and the country generally. General Boberts was attacked and fired upon by Mongols and Ghilzais in the .Hazdur district. Deputy SurgeonGeneral Townsend was severely 'wounded in the face, and five Sikhs were killed. All is quiet at Dnkka, Candahar, and in tho Khyber. Hughes's column has reached Khelot-i-Ghilzai, and is passing on to Ghuzni.

Government will allow special correspondents within the fortress as soon as Cabul is occupied and communication is securely established. The Ghilzais, Eopistans, Loyardis, and other tribes which assembled first, have returned to their homes. Eizzulbasheo and the most influential men of Cabul have sent their respeots to General Boberts, who made a public entry into Cabul on the 12th, without opposition. The mutineers having failed after thoir defeat outsido Cabul, they were completely routed, and no more fighting is expected at Cabul; SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Adel.ide, JNovember 4 H. Downer, Commissioner ot Insolvency, was charged with indecently assaulting the wife of Josph Rogers, in a private room of the Adelaide Court of Insolvency. 'I he wife went to beg the judge to release Rogers, who was imprisoned for fraudulent bankruptcy. The Commissioner directed his release. It is alleged that during the interview the commissioner twice kissod Mrs Bogers, and sought to make another appointment wilh her, The benoh dismissed the case without calling for evidence for the defence. Mr Todd, Postmaster-General, represents ' delaide at the Meteorological Conference in Sydney.