The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-07-15
LATEST NEWS FROM EUROPE.
TALk IN ENGLAND OF THE Possibility
OF A WAN WITH EAANCE

NAAA Nv AN0AAND VI INN kOSSAnxLAxI
OF A WAR WITH FNANCE
x9ect 81 the A fair ~ TaaaAave--A Starn
sf ludigsatisa - Loadoa Over the Nege.
sist,en with NE l>essepa-The lrssh Party
Oscar Wiias's lmpresssaas Or tie Waited
,states-Queen Chvisata a's PhsSssophy-Ex.
eludisg American 0sris from seeiety st
TSosSiiie-lntsreselas Perssasl Gsssip.
LONDON, July 14.-Th8 affair at Tamatave
is viewed with great seriousness and gravity
by English people Of oil classes and tho prob
ability and possibilities OF q war with France
arc discussed with an enrnestness which Is
diffcult to understand. but which is probably
the outgrbwth OF general British resentment
toward the recent foreign policy OF their neigh
bors. The circumstances rs described In the
House Of Commons BY Mr.. Gladstone do no.
justify the amount OF public feeling that they
have aroused. and there Is little In the atti-
tudo Of the French Government TO warrant the
belief that any insult was premeditated. or
that anything has occurred that cannot read
lily DO explained In such way that the
British public will be satisfied when the
circumstances become better known. NJ.
Ferry and NJ Cha.lemel-Lacour have both
expressed themselves In conciliatory and
friendly terms, discaiming NIL knowledge Of the
nfruir. and protesting against the assumption
on tho part OF England that an nfraction Of the
law OIL uNllOUS WIS lnNOfVeu III ING FTenVn
press generally Is silent upon the subject which
has evidently taken them unawares. and when.
in view Of NJ. de Lessers's achievement. they
had just assumed most friendly bearing
toward England. They have not even printed
Mr.. Gladstone's announcement OF the news.
and only refer to II In terms OF Incredibly 1t
has. however, boon sufficient in its effect in
England to arouse public opinion to u degree
that will inevitably lead to peremptory de-
mand for tho fullest reparation that tho facts in
the matter may finally seem to require.
NJ. dc Lesseps spent three days in London
A few hours OF ench were devoted in Downing
street to the discussion OF the affairs
OF the Suez Canal Company and tho rest to
come brilliant dinners and receptions. Then
he returned to Paris. and tho British Govern
ment made its announcement that II had
agreed Professionally to lend NJ. do Lesseps
$40. 900. 900, at three and one-Quartor per cent.
TO build canal parallel to the present one: that
the tolls were to be reduced In sliding scale do
tcrminsd by the increase OF the net profits and
that the control OF the canal was to remain
substantially as at present in tho hands OF the
French Board. AS far rs 1t goes this is the
most splendid negotiation OF its kind ever
achieved. and 1t is no wonder that it is hniled
in France as the grandest performance in NJ.
de Lesseps's career and as the equivalent
Of now treaty Of peace and good will
with England. In fact. the countrymen
Of NJ. de Losseps received 1t with the
most extravagant expressions OF delight. and
tho company promptly ratified II. In London.
however, 1t raised such storm in commercial
circles as has not beels> known in years. and
aroused such degree Of Indignation that its
approval by Parliament is impossible Meet
ings arc held in every commercial centre to
denounce 1t. populations are formed. and the
xloh he hoo,
up. This has its origin In the general sent-
ment OF antagonism to the French control OF
the canal in the belief that the bargain ia q bad
one and in deep-seated Jesire OF British
shipowners to have an English canal across
tho isthmus.
Tho Government. which acted from motives
OF political expediency and forethought. and
does not believe 1t wise that the formal control
Of the canal should be in English hands. finds
itself opposed by tho whole business COM
munity which confines itself TO q purely COM
mercial view Of the subject. and objects to
losing a promising investment. Tho affair
complexities the aspect OF the Madagascar in
dignity. and the excitement over BOTH now
running high promises soon to communicate
itself to the countrymen OF NJ. de Lesseps.
The Gladstone Government has been un-
lucky Of late in all its undertakings. and Mr..
Gladstones declaration on Monday OF the state
OF the public business disclosed only too clear
~ the Ministerial weakness and the signs OF ap-
preaching dissolution. The Irish party has in
consequence devoted itself theoretically to
preparing for the contest in every constituency
in England. Ireland. and Scotland which af-
fords the opportunity; and tho Times admits
that II successful in only one-third Of the seats
attacked. Mr. Parnells following in tho next
Parliament will number eighty-four members.
Tho movement is entirely systematic. tho cam
didatss are chosen with the greatest care. and
the indications In every part OF Ireland point
10 an overwhelming success.
Mr.. Ncwdegato made n formidable assault in
the House on the Birmingham caucus system.
which he likened to the Tammany Ring. Mr.
Chamberlain. he said. was the boss Of the
caucus. and he drew striking picture OF the
degradation and corruption wrought in Ameri-
can politics by the caucus principle. the adop.
ton Of which in England would undoubtedly
lead 10 q like condition OF political depravity
Mr. Newdcgnte's dense and perverse ignorance
Of American affairs made his argument un-
usually noteworthy.
Another critic OF America has appeared dur.
Ing the week in the person Of Mr.. Oscar Wilde
who lectured to q large audience Of no particu-
lar quality in Princes Hall on his impressions
Of the United States. 1t was q mixture Of com
plimcnt and futlity. decorated here and there
with little picturesque mendacity.
Queen Christina has been discussing the
situation with her mother. and has agreed tC
view it philosophicaly. She will return to
Madrid in consequence. and their most Catho-
lie Majesties will. to all outward appearance a,
least. resume the peaceful domestic relation
which was interrupted by tho discovery Mt the
Casa de Campo. In the autumn. when the
King will visit Germany. her Majesty will be
Invested with the regency. Tho court In the
present state Of affairs is much disturbed and
life there for some time to come promises TO lie
decidedly uneasy.
According to that one OF the London society
journals which has Mr. Labouchere for Its con-
ductor. u serious question has arisen at Trou.
vile among the members Of tho haute rolee as
TO whether American girls should not hence
forth DO excluded from tho best society there
unless there should happen TO be special per.
sonal reasons for admitting them. The feeling
against them is said to be fierce. and It was
finally decided that they should not receive in.
vitstions unless recommended by two ladies' OF
NndoHbted rank. The recommendation OF a