The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-28
A WAR SPECK In EUROPE.
RUSSO FRANCO MOVEMENTS
CLOSELY WATCHED.

The First Shot Will be Fired in the
Fall if an Outbreak -yng-
lands Obligation 10 Defend Belgian
Neutrality - The Newfoundland and
EgyptianAQuestion Mixed Up.
(COpvrfghted, 1891, bV the NetC York Associated
PreSs.)
LONDON March 27.-Lord Salisbury lust
before starting for San Reno, held long
conference with Lord Knutsford and Mr..
Currie. permanent secretary of the foreign
office. A work of supreme difficulty,
requiring the most delicate handling,
was confided to Mr. Currie, relating to the
engagements of England to protect Bel
GUM. King Leopold. during his recent
visit, pressed for an answer as TO what prac-
tical cooperation England would give,
under the existing treaty, for the defense of
Belgian neutrality in the event Of a war.
Lord Salisbury, according to a report
credited within the foreign Office, promised
English aid by a feet and contingent of
troops, if demanded, TO defend Antwerp,
leaving the Belgian army free for defensive Q
operations in the forts Of the Meuse.
WAR LOOKED FOR.
Something occurring behind the scenes of
European diplomacy sharpens the appre-
hension that the final move in the long
game preluding war will not long be de-
layed. Apart from the renewal of the con-
centration on the Russian Austrian frontiers
and the cZar's demoastrative friendship for
President Carnot, it is reported that an
agreement has been reached between the
French and Russian governments in regard
TO simultaneous mobilization of troops
ana other movements in the event of war.
The heads Of the European powers seem to
lie Informed of the Russian scheme of at
tack, which is likely TO declare itself in the
autumn. The question of Belgian neutrality
is ultimately associated with Englaud's at
titude in such c )nflict, and it will be Lord
Salisbury's justification if the agreement
with King Leopold comes up in parlia-
ment.
KNUTsFoRDs PRESENCE.
The presence of Lord Knutsford at the
conference with Lord Salisbury was prob
ably due to the relations of NewfoWland
with other disputes with France. Questions
of which notice has already been given in
the House of Commons to be answered after
the Easter recess demand that
the government explain whether or
not the fisheries trouble has become mere
pawn on the diplomatic chess board on
which English occupation Of Egypt is king.
Lord Knutsford damaged his reputation
among the conservatives through his tact
less treatment CT the Newfoundland matter
He required coaching by Lord Salisbury,
who is blamed within his own circle for
allowing the colonial minister too free a
hand.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND EGYPT.
Sir Charles Dixie, in an article written
for to-morrows papers, dscloses the source
of the uneasiness prevailing among the
ministerialists. "If,n he says, "the strange
arbitrators picked up in the Russian for
eign office and elsewhere should for polit-
ical reasons declare against us, then the
medUs UiUendi under the Knutsford bill,
becoming an act would be forced upon the
colonials by deeds of civil war. II
Newfoundland was an American state
France would sell her rights in five min
utes to the United States. She only refuses
to sell them to England because she is irri-
tated about Egypt" Sir Dixie is right.
Inner official circles distrust arbitration.
They fear the results of the proposed arbi-
tra;ion and know that the fate of New
foundland is inter.knit with the govern
ment's EgyDtian policy