Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-28
MEANING OF M. DE GERS VISIT.
An Exclusively Defensive Alliance Between
France and Russia.

MEANING OF M. DE GiERs' VISIT.
An Exclusively Defensive Alliance Between
France and Russia.
An Associated Press copyright cable from
London says: The first authentic information
conveying the results of NJ. de Giers' sojourn
in Paris has reached the foreign Office through
| the British embassy at Berlin.
n. de Giers has communicated to Emperor
William and Chancellor Won Caprivi clear ex-
PLANTATION rs to the conferences held in Paris
and the character of the o-French entente
therein achieved. Doubtless the car has in
structed his minister to make declarations with
view to having nc { only the German govern
ment, but the other interested European gov
ernments, learn the nature of the contract
between Russia and France.
According to a semi official statement, based
on VI. de Giers' declarations to Chancellor Won
Caprivi--a statement which will probably be
published throughoI. Europe tomorrow-the
Russian statesmans recent interviews with
President Carnot, NJ. de Freycinet. premier
and minister of war, and NJ. Ribot, minister OF
foreign affairs, resulted in definite agreement
for an exclusively defensive alliance. The
entente agI eed upon, according 20 the state
ment quoted, differs on one most essential
point from the tripie-a,lance treaty inesmuch
as, while that makes the European statJs quo
the basis of the maintenance of peace, the
Russo FL ench entente aims at what NJ. de Giers
has called respect for treaties meaning
especially the restoration of Russia's grip Oh
Bulgaria and British evacuation of Egypt
The differences on these features of the situa-
ton are not meantime to be regarded as con-
shutting danger Of war, as both tbs Russian
and French governments desire to assure a
strict application of the existing treaties by
pacific means. II. de Giers has further COM
municated the fact that no treaty has yet been
signed, and has intimated that the French min
listers desire the conclusion of q formal con-
tract, as alone properly defining future re-
sponsibilities and rendering 1t possible to pur-
sue a distinct policy before Europe, while at
the same time avoiding the reproach OF cher
ishing warlike designs. 4.
The sum of the official assurances from the
Berlin embassy is that the Paris conferences
OF NJ. de Giers, instead OF having an empty
character. as was generally reported, have lie.
suited IN a scheme to maintain diplomatic war
fare against the dreibund and England, await
ing more propitious period for engaging in
actual war, NJ. de Glers' communications as
sumo the first importance not for what they
disclose SO much as because they constitute the
hrst official admission OF the Russian govern
ment to the powers that a Russo-French ALI
ance has been arranged. Lord Salisbury went
to Windsor Castle tonight to place before the
queen certain dispatches, and it is surmised
they are those which refer to the Russo-French
entente.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN IRELAND.
The official circle apparently do not attach
great importance to the refusal of the Bir-
mingham conference to pass Sir Albert Rollit's
motion declaring it in favor OF the ministers
intention to introduce at the next session Of
parliament a bill for the extension OF local
government in Ireland. The habits Of obedj-
ence kept up in the conservative ranks are re-
lied on as o safeguard by the ministers if they
persist in giving Irish legislation first place Oh
the program, Mr.. Goscheu and Lord Har-
tlngton, 1t is known, oppose any departure
from the governments Irish policy or delay
about Mr.. Balfours promised local govern
ment bill. Mr.. Balfour himself privately in
dicates that, although bound to bring the bill
forward, he has no strong love for it. while
Chamberlain would prefer to see the parish
councils bill and his 'old age pension scheme
have the precedence. The course of the gov
eminent depends on what pitch conservative
agitation against Irish legislation may attain.
Mr.. Gladstone has intimated that it is not
agricultural conferences at the National Lib
erai Club. The delegates. now limited in num-
Der to 500, are composed of farmers and labor
ers representatives, county commouers and
rural candidates for parliament
COMPLAINTS AGAINST AMERICAN BEEF.
Since Secretary Rusk reported in favor OF
declaring that English live stock be excluded
from the United States unless the restrictions
on the landing of American cattle at British
ports be removed British farming societies
have actively discussed the subject. The bal
ance of opinion among live stock dealers dis
tinctly supports the attitude of Chairman
Chaplin OF the board of agriculture on the
the subject. Farmers journals are giving
prominence to announcements of recent out
breaks in New Jersey. with view to enforcing
the argument that before the United States can
legally claim admission for American cattle it
must satisfy the British government that
pleuro pneumonia is so extirpated that no cases
have occurred in twelve months In any part of
the Union. 1t is contended that if Secretary
Rusk's intended prohibition is effected no
country will suffer much from the absence
OF pure-bred British live stock as the United
States.
POOLING THE IMMIGRATION TRADE.
The chief continental transatlantic steamship
ompanies-German, Dutch and French-with
the Red Star Company, have signed an agree
ment pooling the trade of conveying steerage
and tween-deck passengers. The object of the
arrangement Is to diminish competition which,
it Is stated, has long been pushed past the point
where profit could accrue. Statistics compiled
for the pool show that the North German LLOYD
and Hamburg-American companies conveyed
60 per cent OF the 500, 600 passengers crossing
during 1880 in the steamers own &c by the con-
tracing companies.