Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-22
Into @ Solemn Respect for all Treaty
Rights, Is the Opinion Of Most
Politicians of Europe.
THE OOLONISTs WILL NOT HAVE THIS.
In the Event Of Any Coercion Being Used, Serious
Trc1ble VIII Be Certain to Follow
In the Colony.
eLADsToNEs POSITION ON TIE QUESTION
n1 CABLE TO THE D1sPATcH.l

LONDON, March 2L-[Copyrighted. lit
is extremely improbable that the young
Kaiser Wilhelm will make a speech upon
the Newfoundland fishery dispute, but it
may be stated without fear of contradiction
that he is watching its progress with the
keenest interest. Englishmen are only just
beginning to realize what the continental
kings and statesmen have long believed, that
the question is one of the greatest delicacy
and danger, and may require an Anglo
french war before it can be straightened
cut
People here are amazed at the practically
unprecedented spectacle of the British Gov
eminent seeking to cOerce selfgoverning
col nv, and can scarcely believe their ears
when told by the ministerial mouthpieces
that the alternative of such coercion is war
sooner or later with great European power.
II is certain that the lesser evil will be ac-
cepted, and If NewfoundIanders dream
otherwise they are destined to rude awak-
ening.
Would Like France Crippled.
It would suit the Triple Alliance very
well for France to cripple herself for gener-
ations as a result of war, successful or un-
successful, with England, but Englishmen
have no stomach for such a fight in support
Of the more or less preposterous claims OF
colonists, who, by popular belief have no
souls above Goldfish and HOLSTERS, and live in
e land OF eternal fog. Among politicians
the opinion is general that, if necessary,
Newfoundland must be cserced into re-
s2ecting the treaty rights of France, but it
is felt that the demand OF the colonists, for
8 hearing before judgment, is reasonable
one.
Gladstone and his colleagues share this
feeling and if it be respected will support
the Government on the general question.
The Cabinet met to-day to discuss the matter,
and after sitting lasting over two hours,
decided, it is understood, to grant a delay of
a fortnight before proceeding further with
q acoercion bill. The concession is more appar-
ent than real, as the Easter Parliamentary re-
cess will last nearly two weeks but it will
give the Newfoundlanders time to present
their case and will satisfy a small SEQ
ton who regard with apprehension any in
reference by the Imperial Parliament in
colonial affairs.
Ribot Holds the Trumps.
France, having a hand full Of trumps, is
not expected to object to the delay, because
Monsieur Ribot has caused to be conveyed
TO Her Majesty's Government an intimation
that however the present matter may end,
he will expect French treaty rights to be
enforced, either by British or by French
war ships A prominent Newfoundlander
at present in London has been doing his
couutry's cause some harm by defending it
in e1travagantly Incorporate letters to the
newspapers.
he has again rushed into print to-day,
and concludes farcically Indignant pro-
test in these words: "What we poor col
uuists, French and English both, in New
foundland and ST. Pierre do not or will not
see, is that we are mere pawns On the
European chess board, that neither of the
chief players care about our vital interests.
Their whole care is to play their game well. %
This colonist certainly has ewes capable
Of seeing beyond the colonial horizon. and
il is curious, therefore, that his pen does not
show equal perspcacity. Newfoundland,
bevond doubt, is being used as a mere pawn
upon the European chess board. France,
for instance. would cheerfully surrender her
rights to Newfoundland tomorrow if Eng
land would agree to withdraw from Egypt,
or perhaps if she would simply guarantee to
preserve strict neutrality in the next