LATE CABLE NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4342, 24 March 1882, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Pbb Pbbss Association.]

(Per s.a. Alhatnbra via Dunedin.)

[Age Spboiaxs.]

LONDON, Maboh 16.

A meeting of extreme Democrats and sympathisers with the Nihilists was held at Soho to celebrate the anniversary of the assassination of the late Emperor Alexander ]I. of Bussia. Speeches were made in defence of the right to assassinate despots, and great enthusiasm was manifested. It it reported that General Skobeloff, who was recently reprimanded by the Czar for his warlike and anti-German speeches in Paris, has been imprisoned at Wilna.

A return showing the construction of railways in the United Statea during the year 1881 has been published. It shows that the total length constructed during the past year was 9000 miles.

The Bussiaa Government has published an official declaration of its views on the present crisis that has arisen in Europe. The declaration repudiates any warlike intention on the part of Bussia, and asserts that the sole objects of the Government are to secure peace, and to -aim at promoting the internal progress of the country. In consequence of the earthquake in Central America, the Costa Bica, a small river which flows through tho northern part of the ytato of that name, has risen above its banks, completely flooding the adjacent country, and causing great destruction of life and property.

Owing to the favorablo reception given by tho fiarl of Kimberley, the Becretary of State for the Colonies, to the deputation whioh waited upon him to urge the desirability of reducing the import dutieß upon Australian wines, it has been thought advisable that a deputation should wait upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and lay the matter fuily before him. A number of gentlemen interested in the question will probably interview Mr Gladstone with this object. In consequence of the immense number of applications for a reduction of rent that have been made by Irish tenants to the Land Commission, it is considered impossible for the Commission, as at present constituted, to deal with them within a reasonable time. Government has accordingly announced its intention of bringing up a Bill for the purpose of expediting the business of the Commission. The measure will be introduced in the House of Commons in May. General Skobeloff has delivered a speech on the Central Asian question. He regarded the fears entertained in England at the progress of Russia in Control Asia as mere humbug, asserting that there was room in Asia for both Powers ; and that the idea of a Bustian invasion of India was absurd, suck a project being quite impracticable and out of the question. Considerable indignation has been aroueod by the discovery of Russian intrigues in connection with Afghanistan. It has been ascertained that the Ruaeian Government has despatched emissaries to Ayoub Khan, for the purpose of inciting him to make another attempt upon Cabul, with tho object of dethroning the Ameer Abdurrahman.

Tbe Benteno9 of eight years' penal servitude passed upon Sergeant Mason for shooting at CtUiteuu, tho acsaeßin of President Gar£eld, has oauaed a widespread feeling of indignation throughout the United States. The State Congress of Ohio, whero President Garfield was born, has passed a resolution denouncing the sentence on the ground of its undue severity, and has appealed to the Supreme Court for its reversal.