The Irish standard., 1894-10-06
.AT SWORD'S POINTS.
War Clouds Gather Between Grea,
Britain and France.
Blockade Of Madagascar Ports by the
Latter Country the Cause-Brit-
ish Cabinet Hastily Summoned.
RELATIONS STRAINED.

ANNOUNCEMENT mdOe Lnat france mas
blockaded the ports Of the island of
Madagascar, large part Of which is
owned by British capital, has made a
tremendous sensa ton.
1t is the one topic at the clubs and
the newspaper offices and in the hotel
Hobbies. There is general belief that
France has shown her hand at last
and that in spite of the friendly as
surances Of section of the French
press the Elysee means to force an
issue off the East African coast.
Cabinet Summoned.
The hasty summoning of the cabi-
net is an Indication that official cir
cles are unexpectedly aud gravely agi-
tated. 1t was supposed that Lord Rose
berry would not summon his colleagues
until November, and just prior to
the lord mayors ann ual banquet.
The ministers are scattered in every
direction.
Sir William Harcourt, who started
Tuesday for Milan, had reached Paris
when he received a peremptory sum-
mons from Lord Kim berley to return
to London Immediately. Mr.. Camp
llbe Zimmerman, minister Of war, re-
ceived his summons in Paris. Both
are flying back by special trains.
There is no recent case where any
such expedition has been insisted upon
for the purposes of a cabinet council,
and the Inference is too obvious to be
ignored. The current opinion is that
France, thinking that England's hands
are tied up by the Japacess-China war.
has decided to eliminate British intlu
ence in Madagascar.
A Serious Hitch
There is 30 reasonable doubt that
another and very serious hitch has oc-
Cured in the diplomatic negotiations
with France rela tive to Egypt and west
and central Africa Possibly fresh
trouble also has arisen in connection
with Madagascar. The current talk
in official circles is Of sensational de-
policy in the war east, but this ap-
pears to be conjecture. 1t is most
probable that France, encouraged by
the recent apparent weakness OF the
British foreign Office, has suddenly
sprung demand upon the govern
ment which has staggered even kim
berley, and which, if persisted in, will
bring about crisis which may result
in war. because Rosebery and his col
leagues have almost reached the limit
of their complaisance toward France.
British Troops Getting Ready.
The secret ary Of state for foreign af~
fairs, the earl Of Kimberley, has been
in coIumunica ton with the lndian
Government and preparations are be.
ing made to concentrate English and
Indian troops iG readiness TO proceed
farther east. It is added that the
sanction OF the cabinet is necessary
before any further steps are possible.
4: a dispatch received here from Ports
mouth says that rumors are circulated
there in regard to extensive naval
preparations, The various heads OF
departments at the dockyari held a
conference at which the opinion of
the officers was taken in regard to the
time the first division Of the reserve
ships could be in readiness to put to
sea.
The dispatch adds that the training
squadron's departure for the West In
dies has been postponed from Satur
day next to Wednesday, and, il neces
sarv, the cruise Of this squadron will
the training ships will be transferred
to ships which will shortly be com
III issioned.
Press on the Crisis.
All the afternoon papers gravely
discuss the hasty summoning of the
cabinet council, and it is generally ac-
cepted as being connected with some
serious difficulty with France.
French Blockade madagascar.
ANrARAIvo. Madagascar, Oct. IA
blockade of the ports of the island of
Madagascar has been proclaimed by
France. The resident general has
gone to Tamatave. He has been in-
structed to take measures to protect
the colonists in the event of war
PARIS, Oct 3.--The Matin says that
can offer no possible sub
ject for dispute between France and
Great Britain. adding:
Once our differences with the MalagaSy
government are settled there will be no pre-
text for Franco British conflict. The rela-
tons between the twogoyernments were never
more tranquil.
The minister of foreign affairs, NJ.
Hanotaux, denies that "a blockade of
the island Of Madagascar has been
by France.
------------------
Prospectors Fluid Bismuth Mine.
IsHpEM1NG, Mich, Oct. 3.---Weather
ston and Ropes, prospectors for gold,
have discovered mine, the rock of
which assays seven dollars in bisnuth
to the ton. Bis1nuth has a CONNER
cial value of about two dollars per
pound. There is no point known in
the United States where it is mined.
Distress In Venezuela.
CARACAS. Oct. 3.-The rains follow
ing the waterspout have ceased. The
loss of life and property is greater
than at first reported. Purifying
bodies are causing much sickness.
Many families are in distress, suffer-
Ing from lack of food and clothing.
London's New Lord Mayor.
4 LONDON, Oct. S.-Sir Joseph Renals,