Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-04
GREAT POWERS TAKING SIDES.
Russia and France Uneasy Over England's
Reception of the Kaiser.

Russia and France Uneasy Over England's
Reception of the Kaiser.
Special Cable Dispatch to the New York Herald.
LONDON, August /, l89l.-The close and in
| innate relations which have been established
between Great Britain and Germany in conse-
quence OF the emperors recent visit have
given great umbrage to France. Some pur-
blind persons supposed that when EmperN
William went to visit Lord Salisbury at Hat
field it was only to talk about Queen Elizabeth.
the weather and the crops. l told you at the
time that the occasion was one OF high political
importance, and both France and Russia have
now become fully alive to that fact; hence the
treaty or agreement just signed by the French
and Russian ministers, the exact purport OF
which has not been made known.
But learn on excellent authority that the
object is to make formidable counter move
against the Brittannic-German alliance and TO
hold In reserve a severe check for England
should events seem to call for it. Your readers
will see what sort of check and how it can be
delivered. Let them remember the position OF
England in Egypt. She remains there against
the repeated protests Of France. Over and
over again the French government has made
known Its disapproval of the English occupa-
ton and insisted that it must look upon 1t as
an unfriendly act; still England sticks fast
The sultan has thus far acqniesced but he will
to accommodate England.
ENGLAND AND EGYPT.
The porte has no desire to get another
squeeze from the Russian bear. What is more
natural than that France and Russia should
put their heads together to incite the sultan to
clear England out of Egypt OF course the
sultan would not say to England in so many
words-you must go; for that would be to pro-
yoke bitterness, perhaps hostilities, between
himself and the greatest naval power in the
world. But roundabout method can be
devised. There is nothing to prevent the sultan
from ordering his feudatory. Tewfik Pacha, to
make 1t unpleasant for England to remain Ill
Egypt or to supersede Tewik altogether and
establish a khedive who would promptly obey
orders. This is the scheme which is now asi-
tatirg the various courts OF Europe.
Observe that Lord Salisbury, at the Mansion
House. was laboriously ELUSIVE in expressions
Of good will to France and of his delight at the
approaching visit of the French feet Also no.
tice that he declared he had never known for
elgn politics to be in more tranquil condition.
When Lord Salisbury talks in this way there is
generally mischief in the wind He knows per-
fectly well that the car is greatly disquieted
by the recent demonstrations here. popular as
well as official, in favor of the German EN-,
peror. France has looked on with ill-disguised
irritation. Both powers undoubtedly think
that this new approachment is a menace to
them. But what would England do if the sui
tan. through his khedive. gave her notice to
quit Egypt Would parliament and the people
go to war for the sake of holding Egypt? Know
ing well the constitution of our great parties
here, say that parliament would utterly de-
cline to embark upon any such enterprise.
There are many conservatives and liberals
who contend that England has no real right to
be Ill Egypt Some say she is only there in the
interests of the Egyptian bondholders. 1t would
be impossible to get f100 voted in parliament
for fresh warlike operations in Egypt, no mat
ter how they might be disguised.
Mr.. Gladstone, who burned his fingers so
severely there, would rouse the whole country
against another expedition. If, then. Russia
and France persist in their present intrigue
great humiliation would be inflicted upon Eng
land. and that would be nothing but an en-
couraSement to the German emperor to perse-
we're In the cultivation of close relations with
Great Britain. He would naturally interpret it
as sharp reminder that it is not safe for him
to choose an ally without the consent of Russia
or France. and that England lis but broken
reed to lean upon. Such is the problem before
Lord Salisbury. 1t will not tend to sweeten his
holidays. Uneasy lies the head Ut highlands
foreign minister.
THE GLADsToNIAN UNDERCURRENT.
In these ticklish times one false move in
foreign politics and the present ministry is
gone. The undercurrent in favor of Gladstone
is always in motion. The conservatives in
England are permanently outnumbered by the
liberals And it is only when dissensiOns
break out among the latter that the former
ever get into office. The liberals are now clos
ing up their ranks in all directions Instead of
union they are talking of great reunion which
next year is to witness. If they hold together
the conservatives must inevitably be throEn
out of power. How. then, can Lord Salisbury
decide on permanent foreign policy or how
long can the German emperor place depend
ence on an English alliance?
These are great questions which have to be
weighed in London and Berlin as we'll as at St.
and Paris. Momentous issues cluster
thickly round them.
A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT,