The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-10-05 00:00:00

relations with that potentate being, in their opinion, dis-
turbed by the appearance of a Russian Embassy at Cabul.
But instead of meeting them half-way, the Ameer, a mere
Asiatic Khan, had been independent enough to box the ears
of the proud Englishman and to shake the authority and
prestige of the Indian Empire.

The Novoge Vremya says :—Although Shere All has gone
over to Russia, our Government will hardly allow him any
direct and open support. No doubt Shere All going to war
with England requires a Russian alliance to cover his rear—
a precaution taken by hlm ever since he began to prepare
for the rupture with Great Britain. But there Is nothing in
such an alliance to compromise our relations with England.
Did not England think herself entitled to aid and assist
Turkey, immediately after her defeat by our troops, and is
this not an exact counterpart to the Russian alliance Shere
All reckons upon as a guarantee for the neutrality of the
Khanates under our control 1"

The difficulty with Afghanistan is followed at Vienna with
close interest day by day (says the Correspondent of The
Times). All the leading newspapers, both Austrian and
Hungarian, give copious extracts from the articles in the
chief English journals, accompanying them frequently with
their own comments, which leave no doubt that the serious-
ness of the conflict is thoroughly understood, as well as the
complications which it may possibly lead to. Ills seen that
these might eventually affect the Eastern Question nearer
home, and, therefore, the interests of Austria, which have
by the Bosnian occupation become even more closely bound
up with it than before.

According to a Reuter's telegram, private advices received
In Paris state that the British Charge d'Affaires at St
Petersburg has presented to the Imperial Chancellery a note
from the English Cabinet inquiring in what way the Russian
Government proposed to reconcile General Stolieteff's mis-
sion to Cahill with its previous engagements, by which
Russia agreed to renounce all political influence in Afghani-
stan. The reply to this note was to the effect that Russia
was always disposed to respect existing engagements, and
that the mission of General Stolieteff, although decided upon
at a time and in circumstances which now no longer existed,
was merely intended as an act of courtesy to the Ameer of
Afghanistan.

THE JEWS IN CHINA.
A correspondent of the Jewish Chronicle writes :
"It will be remembered that the Chinese last January
captured the town of Kashgar. Intelligence from
Tabriz now states that many Jewish families are
leaving the Kahnates of Central Asia and the Russian
possessions in that neighbourhood, and transferring
their domiciles to Kashgar, where Jews hitherto have
not been allowed to stay. The Chinese show themselves
extremely hospitable towards the newcomers, and with
great readiness allow them to settle amongst them. It
is a remarkable fact that in China Proper, large as
the Empire is, there are, if the towns on the coasts
be excepted (where at present some English and
American Jews reside), scarcely a dozen Hebrew fami-
lies. The few to be found live in the town of Kai-
fung-foo, and are in the most distressed circumstances.
Thus in China the Jews are hardly known, and only
the learned in that country are acquainted with the
fact of their existence. They call them generally
Leh-tze•kin,: ' the cutters out of arteries' (on account
of the Mosaic Law forbidding the eating of blood).
It may be stated, moreover, that the Jews in Kai-
fung-foo at the present time differ very little from the
Chinese, speaking their language and dressing like
them."
NEWS FROM CYPRUS.
A Times' telegram, under date Nicosia, September 27,
says:—
" To-daz Sir Garnet Wolseley, in accordance with
Turkish custom, it being the first day of the Feast of
Bairam, htild a State reception in Nicosia, which was
attended by the leading Mahomedans.

"His Excellency announced that he had received
orders from her Majesty to appoint a Legislative
Council, of whom half were to be inhabitants of the
island, and at once handed to Mustafa Fuad, who
was present, a letter, nominating him to the Coun-
cil. A G-reek of Nicosia, and a landed proprietor
of Larnaca (an Italian by birth) will also receive
nomination. There will be three official members,
with the High Commissioner as President, making a
Council of seven. The announcement caused the
highest satisfaction. An Executive Council will also
be appointed. The work of legislation will commence
as soon as possible.
"The weather is cool and pleasant, and the health
of the troops is slightly improved. One hundred and
if possible, 200 invalids will be sent for a cruise in Her
Majesty's ships Raleigh and Black Prince.