The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-04
Special Meeting of the Cabinet Called
for To-Day to Consider the Situa-
ti0n i'm the Far East.
TROUBLE OVER MADAGASCAR
Britain's Relations with France
Said to Be Strained,
Bat Not to the Point of Summoning the
Ministers for Action-Latest Phase
of the Chino-Japanese War.

LONDON, Oct 3.-Inquries made by the
Associated Press correspondent at the For
eign Office late to-day elected the inforna-
ton that the calling Of Cabinet council
for tomorrow has connection whatever
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 attacks OF the French press on the
Marquis of Dufferin. the British embas-
sador at Paris. Numerous colonial ques-
tions have also given rise to friction AL
though the government ministers would be
glad to seize upon an occasion to discuss
these matters, the Cabinet would not have
been summoned but for the dangerous ap-
pearance 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. II the relations with
France had been the cause of the summon
ing of a Cabinet council Lord Dufferin
would certainly have come to London to
consult with Lord Rosebery, the Premier
The Marquis Of Ripon, the Colonial Sec
retary arrived at the Colonial Office this
evening and held a consultation with vari-
Gus officials connected with affairs in China.
The Indian Office has been in frequent COM
muncation with the viceroy and the COM
mander in chief OF the forces in India re-
garding the time requisite to dispatch
troops to China. British Minister O'Con-
nor's dispatches from Peking indicate that
the danger to foreigners In China is con-
siderable. Sir William Robinson. Governor
Of Hong Kong, and Admiral Freemantle,
commander OF the British fleet, are acting
in conjunction with Mr.. OConnor for the
protection of British residents. Admiral
Freemantie has twenty vessels in his fleet,
but many of them are obsolete from a
to do duty as guardships Ii is stated that
China would make objection TO giving
british troops camping ground on the
main land.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Af-
fairs, the Earl of Kimberly. has been IN
communication with the Indian govern
nlent and preparations are being made TO
concentrate English and Indian troops in
readiness to proceed further east 1t is
added that the sanction of the Cabinet is
necessary before any further steps are pcs
sible.
A dispatch received from Portsmouth
says rumors circulated there in regard
to extensive naval preparations. The vari-
Gus heads of departments 1T the, dock
yard held conference this morning, at
which the opinion Of the officers was given
| in regard TO the time the first division OF
the reserve ships could be in readiness 10
| put to sea The dispatch adds that the
training squadron's departure for the West
next to Wednesday week. and. if neces-
| sary, the cruise of this squadron will be
abandoned and the men on board the train
ing ships viii be transferred TO ships which
correspondent in Belfast had an in
| te-view to-day with the Marquis Of Duff
ferin. who is enjoying vacation at his
| Belfast seat. Clandeboye House. Lord
Duife-in said that he had managed to re-
l>tu-P to his post in Paris Oct 15. but
| he was prepared TO be recalled at any mo-
mert. Nevertheless, he saw no reason for
immediate alarm in the relations between
| Great Britain and France.
/ a
| about six hundred infantry and two bat
teries of artillery, are quite INADEQUATE to
protect the British subjects at the various
| treaty ports. Late tonight ii seems doubt
| ful whether Sir William Harcourt will at
tend to-morrow's council.
/ The reports that the ports of Madagascar
had been bockaded came by way OF Maur-
titus II Is believed a, possible h tnat though
| stating the notification OF tSe powers, the
| commanders Of the French merl-of-war may
| have been instructed to maintain the sur
yeillance of the coast with increased rigor
| to prevent the landing of arms and am
munition. the French government having
received reports that consignments of war
material were being dispatched from Eu-
| rope 10 Madagascar Leading merchants in
the Maagassy trade in London, being in
| terviewed, said that latest dispatches that
| they had received contained no mention OF
| blockades.
| The Paris correspondent OF the Standard
| says that he has made inquiries in the
| proper quarters, and that he is in posi-
| municatons have been received by the
| British Foreign Office they did not come
/ could have been sent from the French
| Foreign Office without being first submit
| ted to the French Cabinet The last Cab
| met meeting was held a week ago.
| A dispatch from Paris to the Daily News
SAYS there is no pending question between
France and England grave enough TO JUS
tify scare: In leader on the situation
| the Daily News reiterates that causes Of
| anxiety have not arisen in the British re-
| lations with France.
Rumor Denied by Frenchmen.
PARIS, Oct. 3.-It was reported here this
morning that blockade OF the ports OF
the island Of Madagascar had been pro-
| claimed by the French government The
report was at once denied by NJ. Hanotaux.
the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Min
| lister of Marine, NJ. Maurc, declares that
| before such a step could be taken the
| European powers would have to be in
| formed of the intention of France to do so.
lie Masin this morning says that NADIA
! gascar can offer no possible subject for
| dispute between France and Great Britain.
| adding: "Once differences with the
| Malagasy government are settled there will
be no pretext for Franco-Brtish conflict
| The relations between the two governments
| were never more tranquil.
The Island Claimed by France.
| LONDON, Oct s.-'The dispute between
England and France in regard to Mada-
gascar is one of long standing Madagascar
| is large island, separated from the south
eastern portion Of Africa by the Mozam-
| bique channel. 1t Is now virtually under
| French protectorate, although 1t is claimed
| In England that at least one-seventh Of the
| island is held by British capital But the
| French embassy In London recently an.
| swered a communication from the NADIA
| gascar consul in London by a formal state
| ment that officially there is no longer
| such person as a London Madagascar con-
| sui as, Ii was added, the agents of France
| i'm various countries represent the Hovas
| government Early last month the French
| government evidently determined upon taxi
| ing decided action in regard TO Madagascar.
| probably believing that the hands OF Eng
| land were tied by the complications brought
| about through the war between China and
| Japan. Consequently, NJ. lie Myre DE
| Nii-ers was sent on a special mission to
! Madagascar. and IL understood that
| he was TO all intents and purposes In
trusted to demand the abdication OF the
| government and TO the island to
/ France