The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-12-24

LONDON, Dec. 24.--Sir Henry Drum
mond Wolff, the British envoy at Tehe.
ran, was not long permitted TO enjoy the
reputation of having thwarted the policy
of Russia in Persia, since the Shah's
government has already acceded to every
demand made by Russia respecting her
agent at Meshed and in connection with
other matters. Probably the least pru-
dent act every approved by Lord Sails
bury was that Of the draft convention of
1879, by which Herat was to be given to
Persia, and England was TO accept a
vague responsibility for the Persian
frontier which for more than thousand
miles faces that of Russia. They
are playing with fire to intrigue
against Russian influence in the north of
Persia. Tabriz, the largest city, and
Teheran, the capital, are utterly inac-
cessible to British troops and completely
defenseess against the forces of Russia:
1t is the opinion of those best informed
that England can and certainly ought to
hold supreme influence in the Persian
Gulf and the opening OF the Karum
River to free navigation admits of GER
tain extension Of English influence which
none in that region can dispute. But in
all the territory bordering on the Cas-
plan Sea, the influence of Russia must be
paramount. Lord Salisbury has warned
Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, who ac-
quired q dangerous passion for notoriety
while n member of the Fourth party,
against further Notwithstanding.
PARLIAMENT PRoRoGUED.
Parliament was prorogued to-day un-
til February 90. The members of both
houses assembled in the House Of Lords,
where the Queens speech declared that
England's foreign relations continued
| friendly. 1t expressed regret that the
| fisheries convention with the United
States had not commended itself to the
judgment of the American Senate. The
| speech continued:
Temporary agreements, however,
which have been adopted will, | trust,
prevent any immediate inconvenience
arising from this discussion. A conven.
tion for the abolition of sugar bounties
has been signed by representatives OF
| most of the sugar producing countries. "
Referring to the attempt of the Sou
danese to possess themselves of Suakim,
the speech SAYS "The besieging forces
were dispersed by brilliant military
operation, in which the Egyptian forces
were supported by the British contingent.
Aside from the troubles at Suakim, the
administration and economical progress
of Egypt are satisfactory. An insurrec-
ton prevails in the dominions of tho
Sultan of Zanzibar, which is largely due
to the renewed vigor with which the
slave traffic is carried on.
81 have Joined the Emperor of Ger
many in establishing a naval blockade a
Zanzibar In order to prevent not only thC
expectation of slaves on the East African
coast at that point, but also the importa
ton of the munitions of war. Tht
Indian dominions have enjoyed genera
tranquility and prosperity during th'
past year"
The Queens speech in concludin!
said: .l..
Gentlemen Of the Commons, / thanl
4 you for the liberal provision which yoI
have made for the service of the State
"My Lords and gentlemen, tn
measures which you have adopted ex
tending the functions and improving tn
machinery of local government in Eng
land are calculated to increase the loya
attachment of the constitutions and pro
mote harmony. trust that you will b
able to allow me to promote successful
working order those changes in you
several localities"
THE RUsso-sERvIA ALLIANCE.
, The Vienna correspondent of the TIM
states that the rumor of an alliance bt
tween Servia and Russia is untrue II
says that the SerYian Foreign MinistC
denies that there have been any negotii
! tions for such an alliance, which, tn
Minister says, would be contrary to Kin
, Milans policy.