New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-28

GRAVE NEWS FROM AFGHANIsrAN-THE FRENCH
pERrLTxiTIEs.
IBY CABLE TRIBUNEl
LONDON. Saturday, Dec. 81, 1870
In regard to the Liberal leadership there is a
trustworthy announcement to-day contradictng
all the reports of an approaching conference of the
Liberal leaders, asserting that they indisposed
10 disturb the existing arrangements, and repellng
al discussion of that subject adding that Lord
Harrington Will shortly reappear in Lancashire
under circumstances which will be equivalent to
reassertion Of his titular leadership. Nevertheless.
there is abundant evidence that the majority of the
Liberal party recognize NJ. Gladstone the only
possible leader when the decisive moment arrives.
ANXIETY REGARDING ArGuANIsrAN.
There is continued military anxiety in regard 10
Afshanisian. Dispatches arrive ftfully, the Off
rial intelligence is still meagre. and much infor-
nation is manifestly withheld. The junction of
the forces Of Generals Cough and Roberts, reported
in Lahore dispatch TO The Daily Ners, is still I'M
confirmed. The Standard OF the same date mentions
alike rumor which is evidently only bazaar gossip
The Daily Necs to-day publishes dispatch from
Cabul on the 14th instant which has hitherto been
withheld by the yccroy II disclOses for the first
time the extent of the danger General Roberts was
In AT that date General Baker having stOrmed the
heights between Shrpur and Chardet, his troops
sacked the Cabul suburb. This barbarity exasper-
Rting the Afghaus, 1000 OF them retook General
Bakers position, recaptured two guns, and drove
the English out in a disorderly retreat The final
evacuation by the English of all the positions out
side Shrpur was effected steadily, but the Ghilzais
fire was tremendous. The enemys bravery is
Acknowledged They advanced to within a few
hundred yards of the English guns.
THE vIcERoY's STATEMENT CONTRACTED.
The correspondent admits that the army Is only
able to hold Shirpur thereby contradicting the
Viceroy's recent statement; he admits, Also that
there are only 800 rounds of ammunition per man.
and tha. the troops are mounting guns in expecta-
ton of an Afghan attack. The Viceroy systemat-
cally suppresscs from Cabul that is inconsis-
tent with his own rose-colored theories. later
Lahore dispatch says the transport service is miser-
ably inadequate. The native infantry at Jagdailak
want socks. gloves and blankets; the cavalry have
no tents: firewo0d is scarce and snow is falling
hitherto repulsed, were probably Reconnaissance.
The viceroy teegraphs to-day that there is no
news from Generals Cough or Roberts Nodispatch
vet received from General Roberts asserts that he Is
in possession of food fuel and forage. With these
Indian officers reiteiato bis safety is probable. but
otherwise il is doubtful whether General Cough
Joins hun or not.
IRELAND MORE TRANQUIL.
Ireland is comparatively quiet since Dir. Par
nelrs departure on Monday. Outrages against a
few landlords continue, and some tenants desirous
to pay reut are intmidated, but no general demon
ktratiouS are made. 1t is understood that the re-
manning leaders desire to await the result of Mr..
parnelrs mission The Marlborough relief move
ment makes very slow progress. The contributions
are small The Government officials now say
they will defer their plans for relief hoping that
private charity Will he sufficient. Mr.. ODonnen,
NJ. T.. who was rebufod by the French Republicans.
appealed in his letter in the Legtimst organ to the
French as allied IN race and religion. He demands
sympathy only, but the English say that hawking
lrish grievances about the Continent cannot pro-
mote redress.
HE TORIES PERPLtNhD
The Tory journals have srent the whole week en-
Gelvoring TO belittlc the Liberal victory AT Shelf
field The Liberals having abandoned all hope. now
consider the success signal, though the majority is
small! since they had against them all the Catholics.
most of the Jews. part of the Irish, numerous
Ichbornites all the ROebucktes and the vast local
influence Of Mark Firth. the Duke Of Norfolk, and
the Earl OF Wharncliile. Mr. Waddy, the Liberal
candidate. was likewise personally unpopular
TIE rRENcm CRISIS misunderstood.
English critics absurdly discuss the French min
srerial changes as n semi-reyolutonary movement.
Nothing is actually involved but the reconstruction
Of a Cabinet capable of securing majority in the
two Chambers. President Grevy having given NJ. dc
Ffeycinet full authority tonigbfs dispatches indi-
rate the constitution of a ministry adj
vanced than the present. but not Radical. This
AllM Gambettas influence is exerted to effect a
sonciliatory solution.
Tue IRON TRADE.
The Times having lately asserted that the present
hence is temporary. The Manchester Guardian says
the facts are otherwise. Prices are declining
In speculative districts. but still rising in
stahordshire and.South Wales the manufactured
iron markets. The Volckow-yaughsn. a leading
company working chiefly East Indian or
ders. and are also executing large New-Zealand
ones. The Guardian asserts that no large iron