New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-26
THE NEWS OF EUROPE.
BRITISH PRESTIGE IMPAIRED
HATRED OF ENGLAND DRAWS FRANCE
AND GERMANY TOGETHER.
PRACTISING THE LESSON OF THE ALABAMA
CAsE-MR CURzoN's BOOK ON CHINA JAPAN
AND COREA-LORDs AND COMMONS
THE IRISH REvOLT-CLoSE OF THE
sEssIoN-MR sToPFoRD BROOKE
THE vIGILANT.
fBY CABLE TO THE TRIBryI.1
(cepvyIoht: 1884,: by The Tribune AmoaIdtisnJ

LONDON, Aug. Zo.-fsnBllsnInen WHO DeucEeu, W
made believe that German hostility to Ensland
had it's origin with Prince Bismarck, are finding
out their mistake. The German attitude on the
Congo Treaty may have opened some eyes. Tns
new German attitude toward France may open
more There is in truth and has long been. .
strong party in Germany strongly infused with
jealous dislike Of England. The German Colo.
mails, so called are an important but not the
only element OF this party. But just now the
Colonials have had and have improved an oppor-
tunity of showing what their true feeling is.
The almost simultaneous outburst in two lead
ing journals though not wholly Colonial, Is more
significant than If it were The "Kreuz Zetung'
exuts over the new treaty between France and
the Congo Free State, and describes 1t as one Of
the most severe and far-reaching defeats ever in
ficted upon English position and prestige. IL
does not regret that the advantage of this defeat
accrues to France. 1t only regrets that Germany.
instead Of being content with the status quo IN
Africa did not, Ike France, profit by the blundeS
and weakness of the British Ministry to pay of
old scores and secure substantial advantage for
herself.
That undoubtedly, is the voice Of Colonial
Not so the more elaborate declaration OF. a much
more powerful paper The North German Ga
zette," which not merely turns away from Eng
land but holds out the hand to France In the
opinion of this semi-officia organ, France and
Germany have too many interests in common to
allow them to remain permanently aloof, or per-
manently hostile In matters which do not direct.
ly concern questions at issue between the two
nations themselves. France is reminded how
much pains the German Emperor has taken to
show that he desires friendly relations and 10
urged to remember that there are occasions when
cent negotiations for protection OF Greek cred
itors, where England is accused Of leaving France
in the urch was one. Africa another There was
nothing TO prevent France and Germany from
acting together in the Cameroons, and the Congo
disputes In both cases-though this Is not put
in plain words-they would have acted against
England French public opinion is appealed to.
There Is believed to be a growing tendency In
France to do justice to the German Emperors
generosity and TO the desire Of the German peo-
pie to be good neighbors TO France. II this
means anything 1t means that France and Ger.
many may find in their common hatred Of Eng
land a means OF improving their mutual rela-
tions.
II such line Is to be followed, there is no say
ing where It may lead. 1t raises in new form
the whole question OF the Triple Alliance. and OF
Englands benevolent neutrality TO the Powers
bound together by that alliance. II may indeed
be meant merely to show that the German En-
peror's recent visit to the Queen at Osborne had
no political significance Many other things may
be meant, and thing is clear. namely, that
English position and prestige have for the time
being. as the "Kreuz Zeitung" says, suffered
abroad and that there is a widespread distrust,
not so much of her statesmen and her Govern
ment as OF their power TO maintain wise Eng.
l.sh foreign policy against the continual enc
croachments Of the English democracy. This
distrust extends to the English House OF Com
mons. which is becoming yearly more and more
the mere instrument Of democracy deficient In
;;-sining and intelligence and almost devoid Of
-"eptions.
The seizure Of two
n tho Chino-Japanese war w2tended to take part
Foreign Enlistment act Of 1870. That @huer '"e
direc, consequence Of the connvance OF British
authorities in the escape Of the Alabama, ana
under IL the powers Of the Government are SO
large as TO leave little room for any further ex-
ercise OF that benevolent neutrality by which IN
1862 the Confederacy profted. The act is now
applied impartially against both China ana
Japan The torpedo-catcher stopped at Newcastie
was built by the Armstrong; FOR the Chinese
and was nearly ready 10 SAIL Inc
Islam seized at Glasgow. Is merchant steamer
either sold or chartered TO Japan. and had hoisted
tho Iananese flag Both these seizures were
effected secretly. and became known only on pub
ucation of Foreign Office white paper
The English themselves describe the action OF
their Government with an ingenious frankness
which is the best possible commentary on the
history OF the Alabama case. The Times says
Of the torpedo-catcher at Newcastle But for the
action OF the Foreign Ofiice it would In all prob
ability now be on its way TO Chinese waters Inc
danger was foreseen by the Japanese authorities.
and no time was lost by the legal ADVISERS OF the
legation in laying in information as provided by
the act and in remembrance OF the history OF
tho Alabama equal celerity was displayed by our
ou,n officials" It may be assumed that Great
Rritain is not likely to forget the lesson she
learned at Geneva in 1872 though she still srowls
occasionally over the unappropriated surplus W
fifteen millions she then paid
Otber vessels are under suspicion, and otnef
arrests are expected The act Of 1870 not only em'
mowers the Secretary OF state TO issue MS war.
rant IN seize and detain a suspected vessel, nut
authorizes local officials to detain without war.
rant II they have reason TO believe the act -
likely TO be infrnged. No judicial authority -
required To that extent have the BRUSH pron'eo
by their Alabama experience.
Mr. George Curzon's "Prooiems Oh 'ne r"s
East" appears at opportune moment; out
though 1t deals with China. Japan and Corea. ID
by no means to be classed with BOOKS has'hy
thrown together to supply sudden demand
This volume is the ripe fruit OF many years OK
travelling in the East. and OF long study OK
Eastern questions Perhaps no Engiishman mas
journeyed widely In the less known parts o'
tho Oriental world Certainly no Englishman VINO
-. 49,, ,hora n, all has shown an equal power
of trained observation and OF seizing the true
points of the great questions there at issue.
Mr. Curzons unrivaed knowledge OF details
does not prevent him from taking broad views.
anv more than his gift for political generalization
makes him careless OF fact. He Is both careiui
and accurate The view he takes Of the present
struggle between China and Japan is. OF course.
a British view. Disclaiming all party interest,"
.ix..saif I.,nerialist He wishes %