Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-28
Glimpses Behind the Scenes
Of European Diplomacy.
An Ominous Clanking Of Arms
Discernible.
The Franc0-Russian Alliance Not
Formed for Nothing.
Declare Itself In the Autumn
England and Belgium.
Associated Press Dispatches.


LONDON, March 27. Copyrighted, 1891
by the New York Associated Press. i
Lord Salisbury. just before starting 70,
San Reno, held long conference with
Lord Knutsford and Mr.. Currie, of the
foreign Office. Work of supreme diff.
Guilty, requiring most delicate handling
was confided to Currie, relating to the
engagements of England to protect Bel
gium. King Leopold, during his recent
visit, pressed for an answer as to what
practical cooperation England would
give under the existing treaty for the
defense of Belgian neutrality in the
event of war. Lord Salisbury, according
to report, promised English aid by feet
and contingent Of troops, if needed, to
defend Antwerp, leaving the Belgian
army free for defensive operations in the
forts on the Meuse.
SOMETHING OCCURRING
behind the scenes OF European diplo-
macy, sharpens the apprehension that
the final move in the long game pre-
luding war, will not be long delayed. It
is reported that an agreement has been
reached between the French and Rus
sian governments in regard to the stimuli
taneous mobilization OF troops and other
movements. in the event OF war. The
heads Of the European powers seem to
be informed of a Russian scheme OF at
tack which is likely to declare itself in
the autumn. The question of Belgian
neutrality is intimately associated with
England's attitude in such conflict,
and it will be Salisbury's justification if
the agreement with King Leopold comes
up in parliament.
Lord Knutsford damaged his reputa-
ton among the Conservatives through
his tactless treatment OF
THE NEWFOUNDLAND MATTER.
He required coaching by Salisbury,
who is blamed within his own circle for
allowing the colonial minister too free
a hand.
Sir Charles Dixie, in a newspaper ar
ticle, discloses the ~sousce sf vuneasinses.
prevailing among the ministerialists:
be says, strong foreign arbitra-
tors, picked up in the Russian foreign
Office and elsewhere, should for political
reasons declare against US, then the mo-
dus vivendi under the Knutsford bill, in
the event of its becoming an act, will
have to be forced on the colonists by
deeds of civil war. If Newfoundland
was an American state, France would
sell her right in five minutes to the
United States. She only refuses to sell
them to England because she is irritated
about Egypt.
THE IRISH CAMPAIGN
grows hotter. Healy having accused
Parnell and Valentine Dillon of melting
the assault on him, will be sued by
Dillon when the contest is over. The
Language used on both sides is becoming
utterly unrestrained. The Parnellites
Dublin evening organ calls the McCar-
Invites "stinking carrion floating on the
stream of corruption" 1t apologies for
Dalton's attack on Healy as provoked
by '.libellous work conducted under en-
inent Christian patronage" The priests
practical response to the continued
abuse of their order has been to suppress
the circulation of the Parnellite press.
Over two thousand
DISSENTING MINISTER'S
have signed a protest against Sir Charles
Dilke's return to public life. He insists
that he will stand as candidate for
parliament until he receives the official
veto Of the Liberal chiefs. He has in
vited the opinion of Morley and Har-
court, without response. Schnadhorst,
the Liberal caucus chief, opposes Sir
Charles's candidacy, on the ground that
it would ALLEVIATE thousands ofdissenters.