Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-03
Trouble With France Anticipated
in London.
CALLING A SPECIAL CABINET MEETING
It Will Discuss Safety of English
men at Pekin.
NAVAL PREP ARATIONS

LONDON, October 3.-The sudden sum-
n.oning of the members of the cabinet for
special council tomorrow has been generally
accepted as being connected with some
serious difficulty with France regard
ing Madagascar. This afternoon. how
ever. the officials Of the foreign office
denied that the summoning of the cabinet
council was due to a hitch in the negotia-
tions with France in regard to Madagascar.
but was due to the necessity Of discussing
several important international questions
one Of the chief subjects to be brought UP
being the safety Of British subjects resident
in China
A dispatch was received at the foreign
office today from the British consul at
Pekin stating that he was making arrange
ments to insure the safety Of the British
residents at the Chinese capital
Extensive Preparations.
The secretary Of state for foreign affairs,
the Earl Of Kimberley. has been In COM
niunication with the Indian government,
and preparations are being made to concen-
trate English and Indian troops in readiness
to proceed further east. 1t is added that the
sanction OF the cabinet is necessary before
any iurther steps are possible.
A dispatch received here from Portsmouth
says that rumors are current there in re-
gard to extensive raval PREPARATIONS. The
various heads Of departments at the dock
YARDS had conference this morning at
Hhch the opinion of the officers was taken
In regard to the time the first division of the
reserve ships could be in readiness to nut to
sea. E W
The dispatch adds that the training
squadrons departure for the West Indies has
peen postponed from Saturday next to We'd
nesday week, and. IL necessary. the cruise
Oh tne squadron will be abandoned and the
men on board the training ships will be
transferred to ships which will be shortly
Newspaper Opinions.
All the afternoon papers gravelv d,scuss
the hasty summoning of a cabinet council
ana 1t Is generally accepted as being con-
hected with rome serious difficulty with
France.
The morning papers generally attributed
the meeting to other causes
The Telegraph thinks that the meeting
OF the cabinet is more likely to be con-
rected with Asian affairs than with French
Inc Standard says: 1t cannot be believed
Tor moment that any question of differ
ence has arisen between England and
france that could not be amicably arranged
by patient and temperate discussion.
Inc News says: There are several ques-
tions at issue between France and Eng
land, but there are no questions Of opposing
interest comparable In the remotest degree
With those which set France and Prussia
to antagonism in 1870.
The Feeling at Paris.
PARIS. October 3.-The Partisan press are
skeptical over the likelihood of trouble with
England over Madagascar. The Matin says
that Madagascar can offer no possible sub
ject for a dispute between France and
Great Britain. adding:
''Once our differences with the Malagasy
government are settled, there will be no
pretext Tor a Franco-British conflict. The
relations between the two governments
were never more tranquil"
The Politlque Coloniale, rejecting the
views of the minister of the colonies. gives.
exclusive Of the questions of Egypt and
Madagascar, a list of eleven outstanding
difficulties between England connected with
frontier and similar disputes in various
African colonies. Many of these. however,
have practically been settled and none of
them would justify rupture unless one
country was bent upon picking a quarrel
with the other. which, the paper says, Is not
the case.
The Journal Des Debats and the Temps
reproach the French papers for their in
temperate language toward England.
PARIS, October 3.-The minister of for
eign affairs NJ. Patanoux, denies that a
blockade of the Island of Madagascar has
been proclaimed by France.
The minister of Marine. NJ Felix Faure,
declares that before such a step could be
taken the European powers would have to
be Informed of the intention of France TO
do so.
ANANTARIVO, Madagascar. October L.
A blockade of the ports of the Island of
Madagascar has been proclaimed by France.
The resident general has gone to Tamatave.
He has been instructed to take measures to
protect the colonists in the event of war.
Effect on Stocks.
LONDON, october 3.-The stock exchange
today closed fiat on account Of the rumors
in circulation regarding the cause Of calling
a special cabinet council for tomorrow.
PARIS, October 3.-Securities on the
bourse today were not affected by the war
rumors in circulation, and stocks closed
firm.