New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-14

are prospects that Sarah Bernhardt will visit
this country next December.
TOPICS OF GENERAL INTEREST.
TUE AFGHAN UPRIsING-GREAr CONCERN MANI
FEsTED-MoEE LIBEL SUITS
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUSBl
LONDON. Saturday. Dec. IS, 1879
The attempt to assassnatc Lord Lytton. officially
described as drunken freak, is gnicant poltl-
cally but AngIo-Indians consider that this. coming
with the Afghan news, may indicate much more
disaiection than the authorities confess
GRAVE NEWS FROM cABCL.
The gravity Of the Cabul news is acknowledged,
and arouses military and political apprehensions
that owing TO the rigid censorship, the whole truth
is unknown. Nobody believes the official accounts
complete. The ministerial organs admit mis-
hap; admit that the hold on Cabul is jeopardized.
and admit that the previous official assurances re-
speeding pacfcation were deceptive. They warn
the Government against further progress toward
annexation. The Liberal journals frankly say
that General Roberts is fighting for life. His whole
force OF 5000 men is pitted against the entire
Afghan army. the strength of which is unknown,
but it is admitted to he 10000 strong Tribes are
rising every side. The Kohistans, who We're
lately reported as surrcndcrng their arms neverthe-
less send 5000 troops. What Lord Lytton called
" hostile Ghuznec gathering" means 1000 soldiers.
well armed, and we'll led. Military critics agree
that the Afghan movements show surprising stra-
tcgic ability Nevertheless IT is believed that Gen
eral Roberts is likely to overcome the present at
tack as he holds strongly fortified positions about
Cabul but unless nc is victorious, an Instruction
IN Cabul is certain.
CANDAIAE ALSO MENACED.
Candahar is also threatened by 11.000 troops
advancing from Hcrlt. The Candaharees are like
wise IT stless The Times urges the Government to
abandon Afghanlsan after crushing the resistance.
The Standard gives the same counsel. The public
are uneasy from the daily accommodating evidence OF
mercess cruelties perpeirated on the Afghans.
SOCIETY DULL.
Tins has been dull week socially One journal
remarks that the chief social incident was the
smithGe,d Cattle SHOW, for which the Prince aud
Princess of Wales returned to town. The attend
auee EQUALS the average. The show is reckoned re-
markably good, considering the agricultural de-
preston. -
LIBEL SUITS ABUNDANT.
Libel prosecutions multiply since the Queens
Bench decision prohibiting magistrates from hear
ing evidence IN justification. There were three this
week One magistrate. Mr.. Flowers, of the Bow
Street Police Court, had the courage tosdismiss
application by a stock-broker against The UOrld,
saving that the alleged libel was manifestly fair
comment. The other magistrates committed the
defendants for trial.
TIE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SUIT.
Tie rule which Mr. Laboucherc obtained remov-
ing the Lawson prosecution to the Court of Queels
Bench will be argued next week.
MR.. HUGHES AHEAD.
TON" Hughes. the chairman of the Crystal Pal
ace Company, after long struggle and poll of the
stockholders, has defeated his opponents. This
secures the approval of the policy of the old drec-
tors. Mr. Hughes remains chairman, and announces
his confidence in the future of the company.
THE SHEFFIELD ELECTION.
The election at Sheffield to fill the vacancy caused
by the death OF Mr.. Rocbuck will be keenly con-
tested. being regarded as a test vote between the
Opposition and the Government. The attempt to
induce Mark Firth, a great local bcnefactor to ac
cept the Tory nomination having failed, the con-
test assumes purely National character. Mr..
Wadly is the Liberal candidate; Mr.. Wortley the
Tory. Liberals are confident of success though
the Roebuck Committee support Mr.. Wortley. The
Irish vote is reported as secured for Mr.. Waddy.
LIBERALS UNiIING.
The Nonconformists held a conference on We'd
nesday and agreed to support Church candidates
wherever necessary to gain Liberal vic
tory This signifies complete reconciliation be-
tween the two wings. and secnrts the Liberals
against the Nonconformist Gisaffection which con-
tributed so largely to the las. defeat. The present
Nonconiormst attitude is largely due to Samuel
Morley.
NILSSON TRIUMPHANT.
Madrid teegrams report Madame Nilsson's brill
liant success IN singing before the King and Queen
of Spain. There was enormous audience and I'M
examplcd excitement. She returns in February.
BRRYnARDT PROBABLY COMING.
MILE Sarah Bernlardt has resumed negotiations
for an American visit. Her present plan is Il short
tour next December. to include New-York, Boston
and Philadelphia She will remain in America two
moaths altogether, returning in January. 1881.
C. w. s.
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THE IRISH POLITICAL Trials.