The record-union., 1894-10-04
Special to the REcoRD-UNIox.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoS.
LONDON, Oct. 3.-All the afternoon
papers gravely discuss the hasty sum-
moning of the Cabinet Council. 1t is gem
orally accepted as being connected with
some serious difficulty with France. The
Liberal organ, the Westminster Gazette.
handles the subject tenderly, evidently
being anxious not to excite public opin-
ion and thereby embarrass the Govern
ment. On the other hand the Conserva-
tive mouthpieces discuss the matter moro
fearlessly, and warn France against en-
c1oaching upon British rights.
The I'att JfdLt Gazette says: "The crisis
which necessitates the convening of the
Cabinet Council must be very sudden, as
the Ministers were dispersed on their
holidays. 1t is quite possible, however,
that propositions have been made to settle
the various differences"
The Pail Mall Gazette refers TO an ar
ticle printed to-day in the Poljtique CO.
ioRidIe of Paris, which reflects on Minis
ter of Colonies II. Delicasse, and which
gives, exclusive of the questions of Egypt
and Madagascar, list OF eleven out
StAlulllR
England, connected with the frontier and
similar disputes in the African colonies.
The POtttgac COtOHidte, however, says
that many OF these have practically been
settled, and none of them would Justify a
rupture. unless one country was bent
upon picking a quarrel with the other,
which, the paper adds, IS not the case.
The PdtG Man Gazette, in spite OF this,
says the article in the PoIitiqUe COiOBjdle
is unfriendly to the verge OF dlscourtesy,
and ''if il reflects the spirit in which the
French Ministers intend to discuss the
difficulties with England, we may pre-
pare for trouble for some time. We do
not wish TO quarrel with France, but, on
the other hand, we are indisposed to per-
nit trespassIng upon our unquestioned
rights. The bullying spirit which tells
Frenchmen that they have only 10 brag
and bluff enough TO force England to
surrender may easily lead to that belief"
The PaU MAI Gazette then continues ::
1.-THE Ddiiy Chronicle says that war be-
tween France and England must he re-
garded as inconceivable madness. 1t
may be madness, but it is not inconceiv-
able. France must be told, courteously
but firmly, that we have not the slightest
desire to attack or provoke her, but if at
tackled we shall defend ourselves to the
last extremity"
The Globe also expresses the belief that
the hurried calling of the Cabinet Council
is due to disputes with France, adding {:
I'VE believe there is no ground for public
alarm or suspicion, but we cannot sur
render any part of England's rights or
shirK any part of her duties. Our strained
relations with France are not matter of
a days growth nor connected entirely
with Madagascar.
1--WE have points of contact with the
French throughout the world, and each
hA of ha irrJ 70
ton which may easily become strife. II
is certain that the tame way in which we
have allowed ourselves to be outwitted in
the far East during the last year ana the
manner in which we stood by while
France partitioned our heritage in Siam,
has done much TO persuade the more
ignorant or hot-headed Frenchmen that
England Is not so very terrible after all.
"To-day's news of the blockade of the
Island of Madagascar sets at rest all
doubts as to the immediate business of
to-morrow's Cabinet Council. The Min
listers have decided upon resolute course
of action, and the public Will await with
anxiety the news of their decision. We
want no panic nor war fevers, but we
need assurance that our interests will be
properly safeguarded and our allies pro-
tected. The French will find out that we
shall have word to say about Madagas-
car before it is settled, and Lord Rose
berry may rely upon the Unionists to sup
port him Loyalty and heartily in the in
terests of the empire"
wARLIKE PREPARATIONS.
LONDON, Oct. 3.-Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs Earl of Kimberly has
been IN communication with the Indian
Government, and preparations are being
made to concentrate the English and In
dian troops in readiness to proceed fur
ther East. 1t is added that the sanction
of the Cabinet is necessary before further
steps are possible.
dispatch from Portsmouth says that
runors are circulated there regarding eX-
tensive naval preparations. The heads of
departments at the docl1yards held con-
ference to-day at which the opinion of
officers was taken regarding the time the
first division of the reserve ships could
be III readiness to put 10 sea.
The dispatch adds that the training
squadron's departure for the West Indies
has been postponed from Saturday to
of this squadron Will be abandoned and
the men on tho training ships be trans
ferred to ships which will shortly be
commissioned.
OFFICIAL DENIALS.
LONDON, Oct. 3.-The officials of the
Foreign Office deny that the summoning
of the Cabinet tomorrow is due to a
hitch in the negotiations with France re-
garding Madagascar. They say the rea-
son is the necessity of discussing impor-
tant international questions. one OF the
! chief subjects to be brought up being the
sefety Of British subjects resident in
China.
4 dispatch was received at the Foreign
| Office to-day from the British Consul al
Pekin stating that he is making arrange
ments to insure the safety of British res
idents in the Chinese Capital.
MEANING OF THE CABINET COUNCIL.
| LONDON, Oct. Enquiries made by
| the Associated Press correspondent at the
| Foreign Office late to-day elected the in
formation that the calling OF Cabinet
| Council for tomorrow has no connection
| with the meeting of the French Cabinet
| on the same day. The relations between
Great Britain and France have certainly
| been strained during the past six months,
| since the recent attacks of the French
press on the Marquis of Dufferin, the
| British ambassador at Paris. Numerous
colonial questions have also given rise to
| friction. Although the Government Min
listers would be glad to seize upon an
| occasion to discuss these matters, the
| Cabinet would not have been summoned
! but for the dangerous appearance of the
| situation in China.
| The Marquis of Dufferin is still in the
! North OF Ireland, and he will not return
| until the end of the week. If the rela-
| tions with France had been the cause oi
| the summoning of a Cabinet Council, the
| Earl of Dufferin would certainly have
come sto consult with Lord Rosebery.
The Marquis of Ripon. the Colonial Sec
| retary, arrived at the Colonial Office this
evening, and held consultation with