The Portland daily press., 1885-05-20
THE OLD WORLD.
Anxiety Concerning the State OF
Affairs Between England
and Russia.
France Called Upon by Spain foI
an Explanation.
The Evacuation of the Soudar
to Begin Thursday.

LONDON, May 19.-The Times says that al
though nothing has happened to justify any
serious alarm because Of the unaccountable
delay manifested by Russia in ratifying the
preliminary agreement between Mr.. Glad
stone and Baron de Staal, yet the situstion
cannot be regarded without anxiety by persons
who are we'll acquainted with all the bearings
of the questions. st. Petersburg kilograms at
tribute the delay in making q settlement to
the Russian demand for a representative at
Cabul and the continued presence of English
officers at Herat. The Russian papers con-
tinue to make indignant comments on the al
legged unhagging preparations which England
is making for war.
Odessa advices state that work on the rail-
way between KiEil, Arvat and Askabad has
been temporarily abandoned 1t is believed
that the delay is caused by the formation by
Russia Of new railway battalion. At present
there are only 13, 900 Russian troops between
Krasnovodsk and Ssrakhs, but the Fourth
Division is expected to arrive there soon.
Destructive Fire in London.
A destructive fire broke out this morning in
the warehouse of Mitchell & Co., importers
of mohair at Bradford. A large quantity Of
valuable goods was stored in the building, and
before the firemen could get control OF the
flames, property to the amount of $1,000,000
was destroyed.
Victor Hugo still Living.
PARIS, May 19.-Victor Hugo continues very
weak. He had fainting fit this morning, bat
at noon was fully conscious and talking calm
ly Of death.
LATER.
The condition of Victor Hugo is slightly i'm
proved.
Factory as Bradford Burned.
LONDON, May 19.-Mitchell Brothers mohair
mills at Bradford was destroyed by fire to-day.
Loss estimated at $1,000 600.
LIE ROsphOre Egyptien.
CAIRO, May 18.-The French newspaper lie
Bosphore Egyptien the suppression of which
by the Khedive caused a rupture OF diplomatic
relations between France and Egypt resumed
publication to-day. The republication OF the
paper as announced is made by permission of
France.
Grand Naval DemOnstration.
LONDON, May 19.-The admiralty have de-
cided to have the combined naval reserve
squadron including fourteen first class men-of-
war assemble at Portland and proceed thence
to Bantry Bay, Ireland, to engage in a naval
demonstration of extraordinary Importance.
Torpedo experiments will be carried on an a
gigantic scale and the demonstration will con-
clude with sham naval battle of a magnitude
beyond all affairs Of the kind ever heard of or
undertaken.
John Bright ON Protection i'm England.
LONDON, May 19.-John Bright in answer to
letter from an American friend asking If
England would return to the policy of protec-
tion, writes as follows: "Not until the United
States returns to slavery. England's present
danger is in its foreign policy. Tories and
Liberals are equally blamable for the lunatic
policy Of adding million to the military ex-
penses OF the nation whilst trade is depressed
and the poor are badly housed"
The New Minister TO England
Mr. Lowell and Mr.. Phelps visited Windsor
by special train to-day. Lowell presented his
letter of recall and introduced his successor to
the Queen.
y Mr.. Phelps upon being introduced to the
Queen to-day presented his credentials as U.
5. Minister to the court of st. James.
Called Up0n to Explain.
MADRID, May 19.-The minister Of marine
announced in the Senate yesterday that the
Spanish government had asked the French
government for an explanation of the hoisting
OF the French flag in Spanish territory in
Africa.
DeNeuviIIe, the Painter, Dead,
PARIS, May 19.-M. de Neuville, the famous
painter of military pictures, is dead.
The soudan Campaign.
SUAKM, May 19.-It is considered impera.
tive to reduce the British garrison here to q
minimum number consistent with the safety
OF the town because of the rapid increase Of
sickness especially enteric fever. 1t is in
tended to keep the railroad open to Otao by
means of an armored train carrying artillery.
Negotiations with friendly natives have been
concluded and many will come in tomorrow
under Mahmoud Ali, leader of the Amaras.
DoNGoLA May 19-The British evacuation
OF the Soudan commences next Thursday.
Merchants and civilians are already leaving,
fearing to remain after the departure of the
troops The thermometer in this region aver
ages now ia degrees in the shade. Ell Mahdi's
General Abu Auga who was defeated at Kor-
dofan, afterwards with his surviving soldiers
Joined the ranks of the army of the new
Mahdi his congueror.
Gable Notes.
tits reported that the Indian government has
decided to appoint Ney Elias, now English
commissioner at Lodakh, British consul for
Yarkand and Kashgar.
Extensive preparations are made In the
British Post Office Department to meet the in
creased traffic expected from the adoption Of
the sixpenny rate for kilograms.
The French Academy of Medicine has
awarded prize to DIR. Murrell of Westm inster
Hospital, London, for his discov cry that nitro
glycerine is remedy for angera pectoris.