The Portland daily press., 1885-03-13
THE OLD WORLD.
News by Cable from Different
Countries.
A General Alarm Sounding in the
British Camp at Suakim.
Osman Digna's Forces Making a
Determined Attack.
England's Relations With Russia Not
Improved.
EI Mahdi's Emissaries Stimulating 8
Revolt in Turkey.
Russin in AfgI,nn stan.

dE
noon to-day, and the unusually early hour at
which the ministers convened at once attracted
attenJ1on, and reports quickly spread that a
crisis was being considered. The interest in
the meeting soon became general and intense,
and this was warranted bv several incidents
which preceded and attended the council.
Immediately before the conference COL George
a. Mande, equerry in chief to the Queen,
called upon Mr.. Gladstone and had long in
terview with him. Among the rumors to which
this gave rise was one to the effect that Her
Majesty had been advised that the Indian sit
uation was grave and required vigorous and
decisive action, and that the Queen had rather
urgently insisted on her government doing
something This and similar stories attracted
large crowds to Downing street, and before the
Cabinet had been long in session the Prime
Minister'S official residence was surrounded by
a large crowd Up to this hour "a o'clock it
is not publicly known what the ministers have
done at to-day's meeting. 1t Is reported, how
ever, that they decided to address a serious
representation to the Russian government that
if through any Russian advance in Afghanis-
tan conflict results with the Ameer's troops,
Russia must accept the consequences, as Eng
land is bound to guard Afghan territory.
The London Evening News states this after
noon that it has been learned that remon.
stranees flom the highest quarters have been
addressed to the Gar of Russia in the interest
OF peace and have met with such chilling
response that slight hopes are now entertained
that hostilities between England and Russia
can be averted.
On the rumors that Germany has offered her
services as mediator in the Afghan dispute
Russian and English stocks have recovered.
LONDON March 12.-The relations between
England and Russia are assuming a more
favorable aspect. Baron De Staal has i'm
parted to Earl Meleville the contents of a
despatch from M. DeGiers. Russian Minister
OF Foreign Affairs, in which it Is stated the
Gar earnestly desires speedy and peaceful
solution OF the existing difficulty. M. De
Giers denies that the Russian outposts have
been advanced beyond the limits claimed as
the frontier. Autograph letters have been
peror William, and the latter is using his per-
sonal influence with the Gear to preserve
peace.
Affairs i'm Egypt.
SUAKIM, March 12.-El Mahdi's men last
night attacked the ordnance enclosure OF the
garrison and killed two sentries belonging to
the Berkshire regiment and wounded three
others. One of the attacking party was killed
and several wounded.
CAIRO, March ia despatch Just received
from Suakim states that heavy firing from Os-
man Digna's force continues. This (Thursday)
evening, the Sikhs and East Surry regiments
are returning the fire, and the bugles in the
British camp are sounding general alarm.
France and Tonquin.
IAhlSJ I0hICH lA.-O6SpaICQeH received mere
to-day state that the French troops captured
two cannons and an enormous amount of mill
tarY stores at Kelung.
A Chinese Council of War.
PARIS March IA great council, to
assemble at Pekin, is announced for the pur-
pose OF deciding the question of peace or war.
The various Viceroys will be present and re-
port the feeling of the people on the subject.
Reception of the Prince of Wales i'm Ire
land.
DUBLIN, March IA meeting of the Ma
tionalist section of the Municipal Council, the
Lord Mayor presiding. was held last evening to
consider the attitude to be observed in regard
to the visit of the Prince of Wales. There
was great divergence Of opinion among those
present. and the meeting was finally adjourned
until Saturday, In order that Mr. Parnell and
other leaders might be communicated with.
During the meeting Mr.. Clancy read a docu-
ment which purported to be manifesto writ
ten by Mr.. Sexton at Mr.. Parnell's dctation.
Mr.. Dillon denied the authenticity of the
document. A resolution was adopted endors-
ing the manifesto, provided it was proved to
be authentic. The meeting adjourned in order
that Mr.. Parnell might be questioned as to the
genuineness of the document.
The United Ireland, Parnell's Irish organ,
says ii the leaders persist in forcing the Prince
OF Wales to go where be is not wanted, His
Royal Highness will have from the Irish people
a reception as cool as ice and just as freezing.
The Mahdi Stimulating a Revolt i'm a
Turkish Province.
VARNA, March 12-The Turkish authorities
IN the Arabian province of Hedjaz have seized
several hundred placards which had been dis
tri6uted by emissaries of Ell Mahdi at Jeddah,
Dokab Lith and other seaport towns opposite
the Soudan. The placards order the faithful
ITO organize and expel the Turks from Arabia,
promising that tho Prophet will soon arrive at
Jeddah and will lead his hosts to Mecca,
where there will be displays in the sky such as
will leave no doubt of his identity." The
placards have caused an incipient rebellion in
the seaport towns of Hedjaz, and the Turkish
Governor is doing his best to suppress the re-
volt.
British Parliament.
LONDON, March 12.-In the House of Com
mons this afternoon Gladstone, on being in
terrogated regarding the Russo-Afghan from
tier difficulty, said England's relations with
Russia, in consequence of the latter's encroaeh-
ment on Afghan territory, had not been inn
proved during the past several days.
Sir Henry Whiteley announced in the Com
mons to-day that he had received a despatch
stating that Kassala had fallen into the hands
of El Mahdi, and asked the government if the
news was true.
Lord Fitzmaurice replied that he knew
nothing about Kassala having fallen.
When the grant for the diplomatic service
came up for consideration, Mr.. Gorst and other
Conservatives criticised "the apparent disposi-
tion OF the government to create i'll feelings
against Germany" Gladstone declared he
would stand behind no man in the value he
attached to the friendship of a German.
Great cheering) He must say, however, that
he was not prepared to admit that the friend
ship OF any country of the world
was now or ever had been necessary
to enable England to maintain
her position. He thought that were the Ger
mans colonizing operations bona fide and con-
sistent with the rights of all parties, England
with due regards to the claims of her own col
onists ought to meet Germany in no grGdging-
ly spirit, and showed refrain from discussing
the occupation of this or that spot after the
manner OF tricksters, showing disposition to
grudge what they were unable to hold. If
Germany became colonizing power he would
only say God speed.
The Earl OF Morely in the House of Lords
to-day, replying to Earl Galloway, Conserve
tive and Captain of the Horse Guards. said he
thought vote of thanks Just now to General
Lord Wolseley and his army for the work
accomplished on the Khartoum expedition,
would be somewhat premature.
Gable Nstes.
Stephen j. Meany, assistant counsel for
Cunningham and Burton, the alleged London
dynamiters, sailed Thursday for New York to
procure evidence with which to prove an alibi.
The London Telegraph states that the Eng
llsh government has rejected the offer of the
United States to negotiate a convention with
the British West Indies
The English government has issued an
order directing that all unframed soldiers
snail forthwith be put through complete
course inimusketry.
SOUTH AMERICA.
The Emperor of Brazil TO His ParIia-