Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-09-13
HAS A WARLIKE LOOK.
Complications Over the SiameSe Affair May
Involve All the Powers of EurOne.

complications over C16 Slanl6S0 Affair May
Involve All the Powers of Europe
PARIS, Sept. 9.-The peace OF Europe
has apparently not been SO severely
threatened since the Turco- Russian war
as it is to-day On every hand war talk
is heard. Siam is the rock that may
sunder the harmonious relations of the
powers, and facts that have come to
light within twenty-four hours indicate
that the situation is far more serious
now than at any time since the dispute
came between that country and France.
There is no doubt that France is fret
ting under the sneering comments
made in foreign newspapers upon her
alleged backdown before England's
firm attitude in the Siamese dispute,
and there is still less doubt that the
French government is determined that
the foreign press shall not easily have
public to ridicule Much irritation is
felt against England from the fact that
it is admitted that she is supporting, if
not advising, Siam in the di1atory atti-
tude the latter country has assumed
in the treatment Of concessions made
to France. In consequence the French
Newspapers are squirting the govern
ment to make a determined effort to
teach England not to interfere with the
colonial policies Of France. Not only
has the Earl of Dufferin postponed his
proposed vacation IN Switzerland, but,
it Is added, dispatches of a most i'm
poTtant nature were exchanged yester-
day between the British foreign office
and the British embassy in Paris.
To add to the interest taken IN the
Siamese question as likely to affect the
peace of Europe, the Figaro this morn
Ing makes a most important announce
ment. It is to the effect that Germany,
having been informed that the visit of
| the Russian fleet to Toulon will result
in the establishment Of coallng station
for Russian war vessels on th French
coast, has asked for and obtained, as a
counter blast, the cession Of a small
! island on the Italian coast in
order to use this island as a coaling
depot for the battleships Of Germany.
England is said to have been consulted
| by both Italy and Germany before this
| important move on the European chess
board was made; in fact, it is believed
that the whole matter was discussed and
! settled during the recent yachting visit
| Of ne Eli peru VI NC1'u@'h W AiiSo
| land.
(, If reports are to be believed, the
Italian island thus coded to Germany is
to be converted into German rendez-
yous fortress in the Mediterranean
somewhat similar to the Island Of Ma /
Ia. The exact situation of the coming
| German fortress in the editerranean
is not vet announced, but it is said to
be admirably adapted for the purposes
it is intended for, being within fair
steaming distance Of the Dardanelles
and not far from the Suez Canal. Ger
many, it is further reported, when
once this island is provisioned and
stored with ammunition, coal, ETC., will
keep a permanent squadron there, pre-
pared under certain circumstances to
support the allied fleets in case Of an
European ENHANCEMENT of warlike
nature. Rumor also has it that it was
at first proposed that an English island
in the Mediterranean should be ceded
to Germany for the purposes referred
to: but it ia said it was represented to
the German Emperor that there must
be considerable opposition IN England
to such step and, as result, it was de-
cided that Italy should furnish the
naval fortress necessary to Germany II
order to enable her fleet to be use6
with good effect in the Mediterranean