New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-19

London Nov. 1S.-The British public ana 'iie
London newspapers recently treated the VIII
paveties of France and Russia, associated WIFI
Admiral Avelan's visit to Paris, with very great
calmness, If not. indeed. with certain amount
~ contempt. To-day there is distinct feeling
of uneasiness. not in England alone put a'9o i"
Itav and Austria, respecting the Franco-kussiah
entente The visit of Count kalnoKy' 'he AUS
trian Chancellor. to the King OF Italy, Is "ssooi
ated bv many foreign authorities with some
MEASURE of recasting the Triple Alliance, In order
IN assist Italy to meet the new danger which Is
presented to her by the appearance Oh huss'a aS
a Mediterranean naval power acting WITH
France.
we of course. are not aware OF the nature OF
Count Kanoky's mission but 1T requires "o
effort of imagination to suppose mat 'he great
demands made by the Triple Aiance upon l'aiid"
finance rendered necessary some 1tesh PloJe'' io'
keeping the Italian exchequer clear Vi paiiNi up'
cv II IN addition to the great sacrifices Italy
has made for the purposes OF her army Il "e'0
now deemed necessary to make still further sac
,,eces 10 strengthen her navy on large scale,
ono could we'll understand that some Italian
statasmen would prefer to make peace with their
anenov nv withdrawing from the Responsiveness
entaied by the Triple Alliance. 1t Is by no
Yneans unlikely therefore. that Count kanoKy'
among other things, has been instructed TO con-
fer with the Italian King on the SUBJECT OF lie"
measures of Italian naval defence ana now 10
maintain them
Tn connection with this subject ii is important
70 notice how urgent has become the demand Oh
the English press for increase of the Brlush
navy The construction scheme of the late
Government under the Naval Defence act
which involved some twenty millions s'er-
ling expenditure terminates next March.
The programme accomplished under this measure
has been of enormous advantage to Great
Rrtain France and Russia were not slow
10 answer the challenge which Lord sails
bury's Government threw down soon ai'er
the Penjdeh incident had opened the eyes VI
Englishmen. including Mr.. GLADSTONE 10
the untrustworthness of Russian promises 10
day. when France and Russia have combined
their fleets and shown the world mat theH
united strength excels that OF Great Britain
great pressure has been brought upon MI. Giao-
stone. even by many Radical supporters 10 re-
store the old rule Of the Admiralty ana make
the English feet equal to that of any two other
Continental powers. Such an undertaking VIII
involve an annual expenditure Tor se'erai years
tn come Of six millions sterling.
Lord Spencer's language at the Cutters feast
almost encourages the hope that the Gladston-
Ian Ministry have made up their minds TO rlsK
at least very great outlay. Unfortunately
when in opposition the present Government ue-
nounced the method Of spending money under
the Naval Defence act and advocated that each
wears naval expenditure should be met out of
each years income. 1t might be no diffcuit
matter to change their views on such subject,
now that they in Office but ii is decidedly
embarrassing that there is a falling revenue,
and that the Chancellor Of the Exchequer is
man without the slightest sympathy for the
service
The public uneasness at the present moment
Is emphasized by circumstances better known 10
the Ministry than to the ordinary man in the
street In truth few persons were aware Of the
absolute gravity of English relations with
France during the past three weeks until Lord
Rosebery almost went out Of his way at the
FIein banouet to speak Of the diplomatic diff
culties and anxieties which had arisen with
France and Russia relating TO Indian frontier
questions What has happened respecting the
Pam,rs to which the Foreign Secretary seems 10
refer we know nothing. excepting That the re-
markable success of Mr. Durands Afghan mis-
sion has caused no small irritation In the Asatic
Department at ST. Petersburg. AS TO france
however. a good deal OF information is current
at Whitehall, though the London newspapers
have been remarkably reticent on the SUBJECT
It was a distinct success on the part OF Lord
her
that in settling affairs with Siam buffer State
should be created between the French ana Eng
lish spheres France is now seeking 10 eVade
that undertaking The strain was so grave last
week that the negotiations between Lord Duff
fer,n and NJ Develle were suspended until the
former could take the opinion OF his chie1 Inc
subject was made a Cabinet question last Mon
day and Lord Dufferin has since returned 10
Paris.
The crux of the dispute is easily explained
England possesses the territory OF the Shah
States. which runs across to the Chinese IRON
tier, extending over territory on the east banK
Of the Mekong. II follows that If buner state
be formed south of the Shan region, such State
will entirely cut France off from southwestern
China, which is the objective point in the COM
merca competition of the two countries the
French Minister is willing to whittle down the
buffer State to dimensions like those set up In
the lower waters Of the Mekong. where Siam Is
not allowed to exercise authority within sixteen
miles Of the western bank Of the river. But a
mere paper arrangement Of this kind Is not ac'
ceptable to Lord Rosebery.
The result of Lord Dunerins negotiations IL
awaited with a certain amount of anxiety. for
II is feared that the French people instigated by
the Chauvinist press are 80 much elated over
the recent demonstrations in Paris that NJ De-
yeIe may be compelled to take up an attitude
contrary to his pledges. and calculated TO pro-
woke serious difficulty with Great Britain. An
incident of this kind comes at very opportune
moment for those who are girding at the Min
d. istry to strengthen the Navy.
The struggle in the coal trade has been ended
under circumstances which bring distinct credit
TO the Government. Mr. Gladstone doubtless
recognized the urgent necessity of ending the
conflict. because of the grave consequences t.
the entire trade and revenue OF the country. II
is to be noted, too. that the Ministry were care
full to step in at a time when both sides were
Virtually exhausted, and when the chances OF
securing kudos for their intervention were al
the best They were most fortunate in theii
selection Of Lord Rosebery to act as president
conciliator.
We at nrasenf are not informed OF the pro-