SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3422, 10 December 1879, Page 2

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

(Pj3b s.B. City of JSTbw Yobk.)

(Pee Pbbss Association.)

1 London, October 22. j Political canvassing, in view of a probable general election, continues unabated, i The principal members of the Cabinet and the principal Opposition members, except Lord Beaconsfield, hate already spoken in various parts of the country, and are now b- ing followed by minor personages on both sides. Most of the Liberal speeches are confined to attacks upon the foreign policy of tie Government, but do not clearly indicate an alternative policy. Lord Hartington'i declaration is regarded as somewhat vague. Messrs Fawcett and firassey are the only Liberal members who, while condemning the Government's policy in Afghanistan, have admitted that what has been done could not be ravened. Mr Brassey said that the continuation of the sjffltem was necessary for the external action of the country. Mr Chamberlain, however, at the same meeting declared that the advanced Liberal* considered this a dangerous proposition from which tuey must entirely dissent. < No distinct programme of Home measures has been formulated by any Liberal member, nor any definite declaration of policy in Ireland. Fawcett is the only speaker who has spoken decidedly on the Irish question. Prince Leopold opened the Firth Col* lege. Sheffield, on October 20

Material additions are to be made to the defences of Portsmouth on the land sid«. " ■' ...■■;:■.. John Biackwood, of the firm of Willing, Black wood, and don, is dead. The Russitns were severely repulsed, after desperate fighting, by the Turkomans, who were 15,000 strong, of whom 4.000 were killed. The Russians lost 362 killed, 500 wounded. This disaster explains the. recent news, that 30,000 troops had been ordered to march from Caucasia, to rei> force the Kussian expedition under General Kauffmann. It is stated that an offensive and defensive alliance has b«en concluded between Servia and} Montenegro, chiefly designed for rou ual protection in view of the threatening attitude of Austria. Baring'and M. Bliquieres, recently appointed English and French financial Controllers General to Egypt, have not yet proceeded to their posts. ■ They will first vist Vienna, and negotiate with the Austrian Government.

Much jealousy prevails in Austria. Italy, and Germany—particularly in the two former countries—respecting the almost exclusive control of England and France in Egyptian affairs. Austria has lately claimed to bare a roicein the same, hence the jouruey of Messrs Baring aud Bliguieres to Vienna. A Ministerial paper says Austria and Germany will b*« compelled to form a league against the excessive' preponderance ot Englaud and France in Egypt. « -