Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1885 — FOREIGN. [ARTICLE]

FOREIGN.

Documents were discovered at Mandalay showing that an offensive and defensive alliance existed between France and Bnrmali. Mr. Gladstone is to call a Liberal gathering at London for the second week in January, to which the Irish members will bo invited. If the policy outlined by him shall receive united support, he will prepare a comprehensive bill for Irish grievances. Lord Spencer expressed his willingness to servo again as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. United States Consul Frisbie, at Lyons, Franco, writes that the consumption of champagne is regarded as an indication of the business prosperity of the country importing it; and, as the sales for the United States show an increase of $284,024 over those of 1884, tho deduction is drawn that business is flourishing in America. On the contrary, European nations have curtailed their orders, showing—according to the champagne barometer—that mercantile dealings are dull; and the Consul attests to tho truthfulness of the latter fact

Owing to the activity and increasing strength of the rebels in tho Soudan, orders have been issued for the reoccupation of Dongola by British troops. The Irish National League, according to a telegram from Secretary Harrington, lias returned eiglity-six members of Parliament and is absolutely master of the situation. The new Mahdi’s followers are being massed in great force, and the advance of the main army on Egypt has already begun. The British and native outposts are falling back before the advancing hordes of Arabs. Justin McCarthy says that Ireland will bo content with legislative powers equal to an American State. O’Connor says that Canada is the true precedent to follow, and that that is the minimum Parnell will accept The funeral of Herr Strassman, President of the Municipal Council of Berlin, a leading Hebrew, was made the occasion to rebuke Jew-baiters. The Emperor sent handsome wreaths of flowers to tho funeral, and the car was followed by thirty thousand persons. A bloody engagement took place between the Servians and Bulgarians, near the town of Yeleki-lsoor, which was wrested from the Bulgarians. The Servians claim a brilliant victory. Great uneasiness is occasioned at Philippopolis by rumors concerning tho menacing attitude of the Turkish troops on the frontier.

M. de Lesseps is said to be very indignant at the severe criticisms of various American papers of his Fanaiha Canal, and roiterates that he expects to livp to sail through the canal himself. There is high authority for the statement that Lord Salisbury is willing to grant to Ireland a very broad measure of local selfgovernment Mr. Gladstone remarked to a friend that Parnell’s malevolent election tactics had rendered it impossible for the Liberals to make any overtures to him; the aid ho desires must be solicited.