Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-19
THE GRAND TURK
Emphasizes His Friendship
for France.
Minister Ribot Decorated by
the Sultan.
England Importuned for an Expla-
nation of the Sigri Affair.
John Bull Not in a Hurry to Comply.
Gladstone to Accept the Premier
ship in Case the Liberals
Win.
Associated Press Dispatches.

LONDON, Sept. 18.-[Copyrighted by
the New York Associated Press. i
The sultan has deemed the moment op-
perfume to emphasize the entente be-
tween the porte and the Franco Russian
alliance, by comforting upon Ribot, the
French foreign minister, the grand cor
don of the order of Osman, and upon
Nine. Ribot, the decoration of Nichani
Chefakat, an order for ladies founded by
the sultan himself. The bestowal of
these distinctions was announced to the
diplomatic circle in Constantinople to-
night. Associated with this news, the
British foreign Office has received adj
vices from Sir William White, British
ambassador at Constantinople, to the eff
feet that Said Pasha sent him
a report from the gov
ernor of Smyrna to the Mitylene
incident, with note repeating, in
urgent terms, the Porte's request for an
explanation. Sir William White does
not mention the receipt of any informa-
tion concerning Sigri from Admiral
Lord Kerr, on which the response ought
to be based.
ENGLAND WILL NOT APOLOGIZE.
The delaying of the reply tends to
confirm the belief that Admiral Kerr
acted under orders, and that it was not
chance that caused the maneuvers.
Sigri, it is believed, was selected as an
unobtrusive place to effect a sugges-
tive demonstration. Sir William White
certainly is not hampered in making
an explanation by the absence OF
communication from the Levant squad
ron. The admiralty is known to have
received report from Admiral Kerr,
telegraphed through Constantinople,
presumably through the medium of the
British embassy. If Admiral Kerr
acted under instructions, Lord Sails
bury's explanations may rest upon the
fact that the porte had long accorded
the privilege of maneuvring and drilling
upon the islands OF the Archipelago.
Whatever the nature of the response, it
will not be apologetic.
THE SITUATION IN NUT SHELL.
The Standard in an article directly
inspired, if not written by Lord Sails
bury's private secretary, puts the posi-
ton explicitly. 1t says: 'It is advisable
that the whole world should know what
the English government will do. Rus
sia will Hull itself into the most danger
GUS delusions to imagine that Great
Britain will, under any circumstances,
suffer Russia to obtain command of the
Dardaneles. AS long as Turkey effec-
tually guards the straits, England will
not interfere; but Immediately the
government of the sultan, in q fit of
timidity, pervisity or bewilderment;
IL &c
that imperative duty, England will as
to expedients for meeting the diff
Guilty"
THE LIBERAL PROGRAMME.
The Liberal chiefs will meet in great
party federation at Newcastle, with the
question of party leadership determined.
Gladstone will accept the premiership
if victorious in the general elections,
having Sir William Vernon Harcourt as
deputy, with full share of the respon-
sibilities of the leader In view of the
limited physical resources of Gladstone,
when the home rule bill is carried Glad
stone will retire and Harcourt will sue
ceed as premier. Lord Spencer will
lead the Liberal lords, and the earl of
Roseberry will become foreign Sec
I6JdTls IuO lSQ6TdJlOu US6OluS, db
it is the last that will be held
before the country is plunged into gen.
eral election is of exceptional impor-
tance. Over 1000 delegates, represent
ing 900 different associations, will deter
mine the final platform. Apart from
the programme already recognized, the
elght-hour question will be the sole
prominent point discussed. The fedora
ton committee feeling the necessity of
conclliating the trades, are maneuvering
for the federatiOn's acceptance of the
,eight-hour principle in the form of local
option. Several Liberal associations
have already been influenced to vote for
restriction of the hours of labor where
very decisive majority of workers de-
Sire restriction.
BRINGING CHINA TO TERMS.
Emperor William has offered the
German squadron, with or without the
aid of British or French vessels, to en-
forcs diplomatic representation on the
Chinese government. The French for
eign minister proposes Joint demon
stratior at Tien- -Tsin. The Chinese en-
bassy here has received absolute assur-
ance from Pekin that the Chinese gov
ernment is able to repress the anti
foreign upheaval, and is ready to offer
reparatlon.
THE THEosoPHIc FAD DYING OUT.
The Theosophic fad is vanishing as
quickly as it arose. The pseudo "Colonel
Desmond" who accepted challenge OF
$1,000 to demonstrate the existence of
Mahatmas and produce supernatural
phenomena, cannot be traced. The
ashes of Nine. Blavatsky have been di-
yided into three portions, one. portion
being kept here, another being sent to
Madras, and the third being placed in
an urn in New York.
ROYAL BETRoTHAL.
The Danish royal family's meeting at
Fredensberg results in the betrothal of
the eldest son of the crown prince of
Denmark to Princess Victoria of Wales.
Bankers' Favors.