The Agents- General for the Cape of Good Hope and the Australian colonies have pre sented a joint petition to Mr Childers, Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking for a reduction of the wine duties, in view of the fact that a rupture has occurred in the negotiations for a commercial treaty with the Spanish Government. London, May 31. The reply of the Russian Government to the proposals of the English Foreign Office was received yesterday, and its contents have been made public. By the arrange ment which has been come to, Maruchak and the Zulfikar Pass remain in the pos session of Afghanistan, and the work of the Commission will-only include the details of delimitation -the main points having already been fixed. London, June Ist.— An Adelaide four per cent, loan of £1,560,400 has been announced with the minimum fixed at £98 10s. Tenders will be opened on June 9fch. Lokdon, June 1 —The Emperor William has now completely recovered from his recent indispoeition. The Chamber of Deputies have approved of the terms of the Egyptian Convention. It is asserted that the Vatican and England have approved of the nomination of Archbishop Moran, of Sydney, to the Archbishopric of Dublin. A decree has been published forbidding the use of flags by the Communists at funerals in Paris. London, June 1 — It is understood that Mr Dalley, Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, has refused, and Mr Alex. Stuart Premier of the same colony, has accepted the proffered honour of knighthood. No colonial appeals to the Privy Council will be argued until November. The majority of the Powers are persisting in their endeavours to internationalise the Suez Canal despite England's guarantee to maintain its neutrality. The Suez Canal Commission are proposing rules for the control and working of the canal which will seriously affect British shipping interests. A letter has been published from Earl Granville to the effect that the statements recently made that a settlement had been arrived at between England and Russia on the delimitation question are incorrect. The question of Afghan frontier is still the subject of negotiation between the two countries. 