The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-31
berlin MUCH SURPRISED.
She Did Not Think England would Threaten
France with War.

BERLIN. July 3o.-Publc interest has been
divided during the last week between the
Franco.Sinmese quarrel and tho Russo-Ger-
man tariff war. Important rs Is the Federal
Councils summary action against Russia, 1t
has hardly reached in public opinion tho plane
Of high international politics occupied by the
Siameso question. The result OF Great
Britain's Intervention Is regarded rs having
rare Significance for the future grouping ofthe
European great powers. For once the Cor
man editors acknowledge the British
Government has pulled its own chest
nuts out OF the fire without the MD OF the
Australian or the Italian cats paw. BY so de-
ing they believe the great self-contained naval
power Of tho northwest has been drawn ire
yocably from hor position of independence and
assumed Indifference to cast all her weight
with ono or the other Of the Continental al
liances.
Tho critical nature of the negotiations be-
tween France and Great Britain rs to the
Siamese blockade was not known generally in
Berlin until Yesterday. Probably in no other
capital did the people learn with as much sur.
prise that the Earl of Rosobery had made war
the penalty Of Frances Interference with Brit
ISL commerce Mt Siamese ports. The satisfac-
ton accompanying this surprise was in-
creased when it was credibly reported that
Germany had agreed late in the week to sup
port Great Britain in her opposition to
Frances overreaching policy. As tho negotia-
tons between Great Britain and France APP
preached the critical point OF war or peace.
views were exchanged freely between Count
Won Caprivi and the British Foreign Office On
Thursday and Friday tho Chancellor was oc-
cupied almost constantly in receiving. consid-
erng. and answering dispatches cconcerning
Germapys prospective attitude. The details
OF the understanding whic. was. cached can
no. now be ascertainsd: Part Of the train OF
events which led to the understanding. how
ever. is already editorial property.
In the early stage OF the crisis the German
Government observed with G mplacenGy the
Ministry was involving the republic. Its
avoweh purpose was to abstain from all par
ticpation in the affair and enjoy the spectacle
tional and stormy waters. This attitude was
changed suddenly when 1t became apparent
that France proposed to use against siam the
weapon which would be most deadly to British
with this change came from the British Foreign
Office the suggestion OF cooperation between
Germany and England against France
tain the possibility Of more lasting under
standing between Great Britain and the
powers Of the Triple Alliance. Prince Bis
derstandinG. but, rebufred and irritated by
British reticence. usually affected publicly to
deSpise it., For a generation John Bull espe-
lastly refused to increase his influence in
international affairs on the Continent Now,
however; German statesmen hope that he will
WonId NOT be- espeeted to do more thsn CONE mo
nit himself to q defensive alliance but even
SO tho result would 10 a com bination with tho
greatest possible power to preserve the Euro
ever. England will not do more than ahe has
done in the Slamese matter to accom- piish this
end. AS to the territorial arrangements, still
nothing to say.