The record-union., 1891-03-28
copyright, 1891 by N. Y. Associated Press.l

copyright, 1891, by N. Y. Associated Press.l
LONDON, March 2-Lord Salisbury,
just before starting for San Reno, held a
long conference with Lord Knutsford
and Mr.. Currie, of the Foreign Office.
The work of supreme difficulty, requir-
ing the most delicate handling, was con-
fided to Currie, relating to the engage
ments of England to protect Belgium.
King Leopold, during his recent visit,
pressed for an answer as to what practi-
cal 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 fleet and con-
tingent troops, if needed to defend Ant
werp, leaving the Belgium army free for
defensive operations in the forts of
Meuse.
Something is occurring behind the
scenes in European diplomacy which
sharpens the apprehension that final
move in the game preluding war will
not be long delayed. IL is reported that
an agreement has been reached between
the French and Russian Governments in
regard to a simultaneous mobilization of
troops in the event of war. The heads of
the European Powers seem to be in
formed of the Russian scheme of attack,
which is likely to declare itself in the
autumn.
The question of Belgian neutrality is
ultimately associated with England's at
titude in such conflict, and it will be
Sallsbury's justification if an agreement
with King Leopold comes up in Parlia-
ment.
Lord Knutsford damaged his reputa-
H.
his tactleSS treatment of the Newfound-
land 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 newspaper arti-
Gle, discloses the source of uneasiness
prevailing among the Ministerialists.
If" he says, strange foreign arbitrat-
ors, picked up in the Russian Foreign
Office and elsewhere, should for political
reasons declare against US, then the
mOdUS UiUendi under the Knutsford bill,
becoming an Act, will have to be forced
on the colonies by deeds of civil war. If
Newfoundland was an American State
France would sell her right in five min
utes to the United States She only re-
fuses to sell them to England because
she Is irritated about Egypt"
The Irish campaign grows hotter. Healy
having accused Parneu and Valentine
Dlllon OF melting the assault on him, will
be used by Dillon when the contest is
over.
The language used on both sides is be-
coming utterly unrestrained. The Parnell-
ties, in Dublin evening organ, calls the
McCarthyites ''Stinking carrion floating
on the stream Of corruption" 1t apollo
gizes for Dalton's attack ON Healy as
provoked by 'hbellous work conducted
under eminent Christian patronage"
The priests practical reponse to the
continued abuse of their order has been
to suppress the circulation of the Parnell-
ite press.
Over 1900 dissenting ministers have
signed a protest against Sir Charles Dilke's
return to public life. He insists that he
will stand as a candidate for Parliament
until he receives an official veto of the
Liberal chiefs. He has invited the opin-
ion of Morley and Harcourt, without re-
sponse. Schnadhorst, the Liberal caucus
chief, opposes Sir Charles candidacy on
the ground that it would ALLEVIATE thou
sands of dissenters.