The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1893-12-25
POPULAR WAR FRIGHT.
NO ABATEMENT IN THE ALARM
MANIFEST,
Sir Charles Dixie Says England is
the Most Unpopular of the
Great Powers,
EVEN FRBNoHMBN ARE ATTACKED
WITH THE NAVAL SCARE,
Lord Salisbury Revives the Hopes of tho Bi
Metallists Nothing Interesting in the
Parliamentary Programme,

London. December 2l-Thc action and
/ language of the liberal government this
week have entirely foiied to check the
| popular war scare. Tic effect has been,
/ If anythng to Increase the panic 1t
must be said also, thar Gladstone is not
supported in his present position by the
solid liberal party many of his followers
being much displeased because he insist
ed on making imperial defense a party
question,
1t is generally admitted in the liberal
ranks that the grand old man has suf-
fcred serious loss in public confidence
which may have disastrous consequences
unless soon Offset by a vigorous naval
policy. The government is fortunate TO
have escaped in Thursdays by-clecuon
with the loss Of only half Cts majority.
1t is doubtful ir the seat would have been
retained If Harcourts retraction of his
statement that the naval lords sopparted
the government In saying that Great
Brltain's naval supremacy would be
maintained under the present plans. had
been made public In tlme. II was this as
sertion in Tuesdays debate which was
the strongest point Of the government
case
The permanent oulcers or inc admir-
atty compelled Harcourt 10 withdraw 1t.
Indeed, IT is fair to assert that the naval
lords quite agree that British naval SUI
premncy is fast disappeuring
Hurcourts explanation removed en-
tirely the reassuring effect OF the govern
ment speeches.
1NRpp hot
the report that Hnrcourt withdrew the
BanUuine assertions he nude Tuesday
under pressure OF the threatened rcsigna-
ton OF the entire board of admiralty
lords
Many persons believe that only Sir
Charles Dixie touched the real reason
jusufying a war scare when he said In
Tuesdays debate:
1.-THE most dangerous Illusion that any
nhabitant OF the United Kingdom can
have is that we are the popular power
We are probably the most unpopular o:
great powers. IT is a strong and growing
anti-English sentiment, especially in
France. which leads many Observers who
are ignorant Of state secrets TO fear Eng
land viii soon be in need of al her naval
power Those seeking clues 10 the inten-
tions OF possible enemies Of Great Britain
have their eyes fixed on Constantinople.
This week the most paniclty dispatches
from the Turkish capital We're printed in
the principal London papers usually con
HetNallNe' Iloili!i.p1 "l'''taiE ~ 80 80
stantlnople was completely at the mercy
of the Russians Private advices received
today say that the tension Is greater than
since the hours just before the conclusion
of the peace of san SteIano' m ne. mere
rs "H'ea me usuhl 'iN ~ ~, Ml'S'' nus
been so orion lepeagu t'hl ~ no l9"Iet
alarms. ON an hahuS u ~ htieNeu 'lle
present position is impossible for more
Than n rev we'Nt
Everybody knows thht the sultah's e%-
cuse for not receiving me p'opo7ea ViS't
OF the Russian admlral AFelah' rev
weeks ago was only a bte.eNt ioi keepllB
him away from the capital IL rs also al
mitted thnt Russian ships can pass |
through the Busphorus at pleasure ana !
join the Mediterranean squadron.
It IS rather odd that microbes Of the |
naval scare have crossed the channel ana |
attacked Frenchmcn, though not as vlo-
lently as the English Yet Clemenceaus |
exposure Of naval defects is having greater |
effect than the government is wiling 20 |
admit No doubt he has exaggerated but /
many Of his criticisms are believed BY /
foreign critics TO be just
The fact is that all the great nayies OF |
Enron, have serious points Of weakness /
and their Unity Is problematicnl. This was |
proved again today when one Of Eng /
lands finest battlpships the Resolute as |
signed To take the place OF the Victoria |
in The Mediterranean squadron. put back /
TO Queenstown. unable 10 face the heavy 1
sens. II was feared that she would foln |
dor one man was washed overheard |
several were Injured, and the damage 10 /
the shin viii require repnirs btfore she
sails AGAIN.
n may DO assumed that the French |
win adopt naval defense
measures fully as vigorous as any MIR
GIadstono NAV recommend ns goon as the
-. ',,.t.,.,, ,.,.,,s..s.,, l,t,.p 10, Jau,,art.
Lord snlisbui-y's speech IN the upper
mouse IN the debate on the indian finance
question is regarded as a definite pro-
nouncement IA favor of international BIZ
fnd is possibly destined 10 have
congcqueuceT Sanguinc bi
metallists predict an early inclusion OF L
their scheme ms plank IN the orthodox
Tory platform but that rs scarcely prob