SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3040, 12 November 1878, Page 2

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

(Pbe Phbss Agency.)

London, September 27. Shere Ali having received and entertained the Envoy from Russia, the Government resolved to despatch an imposing mission to Cabul. After repea'ed delays the British Envoy left Peshawur on the 20th inst. On reaching the mouth of the Khyber Pass he learnt that the Ameer's Commandant had advanced on the outpost to the centre of the Pass, and was prepared to dispute the passage of the party, comprising Major Cargnari; two native princes, and a small escort. They advanced to Ali Meersjid, and had three hours' conference with the Commandant, who threatened an attack if they proceeded. Thus insolently rebuffed the mission returned to Peshawur. But for personal friendship the Afghan Commandant declared he would shoot Major Cargnari.

General Sir Neville Chamberlain was recalled, and the mission dissolved.

Russia, iv the meantime, persists in maintaining a permanent Embassy at Cabul.

The Times has declared that the Government is fully prepared for the present crisis. Explanations will be demanded, and military preparations are proceeding vigorously. The frontier policy was deliberately formed, and will be carried oat whether Sher* AH is friendly or not.

An advance of three columns is ordered, and 8,000 men will reinforce the garrison ofQuettaand hold Bolsam Pass. 6,000 will occupy the Kooran Valley and thirty columns penetrate the Kyber Pass, whether war is to be immediately commenced or postponed till springCandavia will be occupied. A Constantinople telegram states that an Envoy from Afghanistan has arrived, and that he i* striving to induce the Porte to conclude an alliauce with Russia. The Moniteur states that the Porte is endeavouring to effect a confederation of Asiatic Moslem Princes utider Shere AH, and that an Knvoy has gone from the Sultan to Cabul on the errand. An inquest on tlie victims of the Thames catasiroj>he commenced on the 16th, and is still proceeding. The principal witnesses said there were about 850 passengers on board the Princess Alice. The general drift of their testimony is that the accident was caused by the. sudden porting of the helm by the Bywell Castle. It came out during the inquest that the steersman of the Princess Alice at the time of the collision was a man who Lad volunteered as a substitute, and had never steered a passenger steamboat before. Nearly 809 persons had been accounted for as dead or rescued, but a large number are still reported as missing. Of 130 saved 14, have since died from the shock, and the poisonous effects of the Thames water. The expenses incurred by the Woolwich parish officials exceed £1,200, including the cost of 200 coffins. The Mansion House fund exceeds £30,000. The Queen has subscribed 100 guineas towards the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the Abercrene mine disaster, and other members of the royal family contributed small, r amounts. The fund has swollen to £18,000, but fully £30,000 will be needed. The closing of the mine will bring destitution to hundreds of families. The pumping operations have commenced, but make slow progress, owing to the obstructions, for the removal of which divers have to be employed. The Middle Park racing stud realised 48,195 guineas. Three fine animals were > purchased for Australia. At the annual sale of the Duke of Devonshire's shorthorns at Harlar-in-Furness, 30 head of cattle realised i £20,0C0. -■'riie Queen has approved of Franz Summer as Danish Consul for .New Zealand.

Disquieting news has been received from the Transvaal. The Quarlin police had mutinied, and the Kaffirs assumed the offencive. Colonial Farvas has been appointed commanding officer of Colonial forces vice Griffith. The Cape Mounted Rifles are to be again incorporated for the protection of the Cape colony. In response to strong appeals for mercy on behalf of Isabel Grant, condemned to death for stabbing her husband in a drunken quarrel, her sentence has been commuted to imprisonment for life. •;■ The death of the King of Burmah is denied. Six hundred Mormon converts recently sailed from Liverpool for America. Nearly half are from Sweden, Norway; and Denmark, and the remainder are English', Scotch and Welsh. The death is announced of Colonel Arthur Leslie, late of the 40th regiment, which served in the New Zealand war. The sudden crisis developed in our Indian policy is exciting extraordinary interest, not only here, but throughout the Continent, and war against Afghanistan, and possibly against Russia, is deemed also inevitable. Parliament has been further prorogued to November 30. After strict investigation into the Hoedel and Nobeling cases, no trace of conspiracy could be discovered. The cotton trade is in a critical state. Mills are being closed at Blackburn and elsewhere, and others are about ta run short time. The Bristol cotton strike and the Staffordshire nailers' strike continue. The French Government have prevented a Congress of Socialists in Paris, by arresting five leading _ members of committee, who are still in prison, awaiting trial for membership in a secret society. The Vatican has ordered the Belgian clergy to abstain from attacks on the Constitution. The conduct of the French Government, in postponing the publication of the Jury Awards till October, has caused gteat dissatisfaction to exhibitors, which has been intensified by the refusal of the authorities to , allow the successful exhibitors to attach their awards to their goods. There is a report that M. Krantz has resigned in disgust. The anniversary of Thiers' death was: commemorated by a magnificent service at Notre Dame. There was great agitation at Brighton respecting the gambling hells established in the town. The Town Council was reproached for not taking Bteps to suppress them. Earl Beaconsfield's health not permitting his presence at the Sheffield Cutlers' feast, Colonel Stanley undertook a historical vindication of the policy of the Government. That same policy has been severely criticised by several leading Liberals, in addresses to their constituents. Mi* Gladstone's article in the " Nineteenth Century," on England's mission is attracting considerable attention abroad. A Congress of Trades Unions is now holding sittings .in Bristol; 136 delegates are present, representing 623,957 members. ■ •- . • :■;-. -,~ , . ;

Curran, the valet of Judge Keogh, is fast recovering from the wound inflicted by his master in a paroxysm of insanity. General Todleben has had a farewell audience of the Sultan, prior to his departure for Rodesto.