Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-11-28
KEY TO THE FAR EAST
France and Turkey Re-
ported as Having 1t.
CAPE SHEIK SHAH CEDEO.
Won Caprivi Gives the Reichstag a
Talk Upon Military Matters.

BERLIN, Nov. 2s This city is treated TO
another sensation. Yesterday the good
people at Berlin were startled by the an.
noundement made by The Kreuzer Zeitung
Conservative, an influential daily paper
that by secret agreement with France
Turkey had ceded Cape Sheik Shaib, in the
Persian gulf, to France. Cape Sheik
Shaib is on the island Of Bushir, or Busheb,
eleven miles from the coast Of Persia, and
might he strongly fortified and otherwise
made use of as harbor for a French fleet.
Between the mainland and the island
of Shiek Shaib or Busheb, is said to be
water affording good anchorage for the
largest war vessels.
This would give France a depot and pos
sible landing place for troops, not far north
of the British possessions in India, and,
under certain circumstances, might ena-
BILE France TO cooperate with Russia
should the latter country's troops invade
Persian territory, and possibly continue
an onward
March Toward India Itself.
Turkey, according to The Kreuzer Zei-
tung, is said to have taken this step be-
cause of the uneasiness felt by the sultan
and his advisers at the action of England
in continuing the occupation of Egypt in
spite of protests of France and Turkey in
directly against such course. 1t is con-
ceded that in fortifying Sheik, Shaib or
Busheb, France threatens Great Britain's
hold in the Red Sea practically British
lake, by the fact that England holds Alden,
the Gibraltar of the east at the entrance
of the straits of Babel-Mandeb, leading
into the Red sea.
The rumor regarding Sheik Shaib is not
exactly new, as far as Frances desire to
obtain possession of that island goes, but
If The Kreuzer Zeitung is to be believed,
the matter is now afait accompli, and
therefore matter of the greatest import
ance.
Since The Kreuzer Zeitungs news was
made public, there has been n constant ex-
change Of telegraphic messages between
the German foreign Office and some of its
representatives abroad but all informa-
tion upon the Sheik Shaib matter is re-
fused by the officials in charge.
Won Caprivi VIII Stay.
Chancellor Won Caprivi was present at
the session of the reichstag yesterday and
in a short speech he referred TO the rumors
which have been circulated that he in
tended to resign his position. lie said
that these rumors were ridiculous. He
and he declared that he intended TO re-
main at his post as long as the emperor
was pleased TO retain his services
Referring TO the general armament in
Europe the chancellor said that this would
continue much longer, uninfluenced by the
resolves adopted by peace congresses 1t
was, however, matter of satisfaction that
the general preparedness for war had in
creased the desire for peace
In East Africa Germany still had long
task to fulfil She had been obliged to
have recourse TO the doubtful plan of a
lottery; but Germany's possessions In
Africa were ten times moreimportant than
those Of England, with which milton Ger
many had made bad bargain.
The chancellor also said that the abol-
tion of compulsory passports in Alsace-
Lorraine had been regarded as an act of
weakness; but the continuance of that
system rs permanency was impossible
The assimilation of the reichstag with
Germany was progressing surely The
best connecting link was the army. After
few generations the reichsland question
would be settled. There was no cause for
uneasiness on account of the army, al
though q
Certain Military Pessimism
had lately become apparent. The worlds
habit of estimating the worth of an army
according to ITS number, was wrong. Ger
many never before possessed 80 many
capable military leaders and no other ma
tion had such chances for the next war.
Referring to the movements of troops on
the Russian and French frontiers, the
chancellor said that Germany, as we'll as
Austria, had in this respect probably ex-
ceeded its duty. Too much anxiety pre-
vailed because Russia had dispatched an
army corps to placess near to the Ger
man frontier as Coblentz was to the Rus
sian frontier. Germany was in fortunate
position in being able to rely upon "a fine
army. He could not see why this policy
would not be able to protect the inter
asts of Germany i'm nny circumstances