New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-07
THE NEWS OF EUROPE.
A sENsELEss WAR SCARE ON BOTH SIDES
OF THE CHANNEL.

NEW LORD MAYOR -ORLEANIsT ECoNo-
MESA coLLEcTIvIsT EXPERIMENT.
lBY THE TRIBcSEl
(copvripsG 1884,: BY The Tribune AssociationJ
London, Oct. 6.-Last Wednesdays war scare
illustrates how easily the Continent may be dis
turbed by what a great statesman once described
as the harebrained chatter of irresponsible
press. For months past newspaper friction be-,
tween England and France has been materially
developng largely owing 10 those flamboyant
boulevard journals which on many occasions have
done the Republic grave injury. In the present
case however, it is not difficult to explain the
origin of their mischief Since 1t became evident
that the Car would not allow France to adopt
an aggressive attitude toward Germany, and
especially since Emperor William has shown
desire 10 concate the French people, the Repub-
lie has sought an outlet for It's Chauvinist ener-
gies in the field of colonial policy 1t has here
been brought into contact with Its old rival,
Great Britain and within few months more
than a dozen questions nave arisen, over which
the two States have been in distinct antagonsm.
Apart from the larger issues involved in Egypt,
Newfoundland and Siam, the Paris organ OF tho
Frerch Colonial Minister has pointedly enumers
ated eleven minor disputes in Africa alone In
addition to these the question OF Madagascar Is
Just now a burning theme in France, and as
Great Britain has an interest in that island. 1t
naturally followed that French newspapers would
pursue their usual Anglophobe bent and hold
England responsible for all their grievances with
the Hova Government.
These aspects of the situation were attracting
a good deal Of attention when suddenly II was
announced that NJ Decrais was to be recalled be-
clause he not sufficiently responsive to NJ.
Hanotauxs welknown masterful methods.
While people were considering why such
change should have been necessary, there came
news Of the hasty summoning or the English
Cabinet owing to what THE Times called
hitch In the relations with France This was
supplemented by a story that the French Cabinet
was to meet on the same day, and that Great
Britain was to deal with the question OF NADIA
gascar and the further story that blockade
had been declared Of all Madagascar ports.
You are already aware how these fctions have
crrmbled 10 pieces and how to their credit be
1t said, the leading newspapers of Paris ike the
Figaro" "Deba,s." and Temps" have assisted
TO disperre the alarm. The excitement was much
greater in London than in Paris. for 1t SO hap
pened that these events were occurring at the
very moment when several English newspapers
British Navy. and pointing out. as a lesson OF
the Yaloo victory how easy II would be for the
French TO overcome the British Mediterranean
fleet.
Lord Rosebery's Cabinet met and dispersed
after nearly three hours deliberation According
10 semi-official statements. they were chiefly
concerned with arranging for the safety OF Brit
ish subjects at the Chinese treaty ports. Alarm
ing accounts Of the violence OF Chinese mobs tow
ard foreigners have reached this country dur.
ing the last few days The Cabinet. we are as
sured met 20 agree upon measures of protection.
the result being an order 70 dispatch four war
ships with compliments of 1000 men 20 reinforce
Admiral Fremantles squadron OF twenty-five
vessels But IL is unreasonable To suppose that
this subject alone occupied the attention OF Lord
Rosebery and his colleagues. The Foreign MINI
lister and the Admiralty could have taken all
necessary precautions and carried out clerks
work like this without the need OF summonng
their colleagues in desperate haste at an unusual
date and az manifest personal inconvenience 10
most Of them Il Is far more likely that the chief
subjects Of dellberaton had good deal 10 do
with Madagascar as well as with China.
It IS true that England has allowed France
protectorate or controlling influence over NADIA
gascar so far regards foreign relations. But
France is now seeking 10 contfol coUlHlercldi anu
internal affairs to place the Hova army under
French officers and to establish place Of arms
and naval station on the coast. 1t is clear that
Frances action will interfere with British, and.
in larger degree. with American interests. Lord
Rosebery is being strongly pressed, even by
some of his supporters to obtain guarantees Of
protection for those interests II France goes be-
yond Lord Sal!sbury's concession Of 1890. This
~ no on is be-. .!eVei have been
very much to the front at Wednesdays Cabinet
meeting but nothing has so far leaked out as to
the Governments intentions.
Another topic said to have been debated r.
| lates to the action OF the japanese Government
England and Russia are known TO be pursuing
an accordant policy in the Far East Neither
desires to the collapse OF the Chinese EN-
pire and the possible development of Anarchy
over change of dynasty. France. Germany ana
every civilized State having interests In CHINA
naturally wish TO avoid great national cata-
clysm. Russia also has her own particular in
terests in excluding Japan from the Asian conti-
nent She therefore seeks TO prevent the annexa-
tion OF Corea 1t Is said that Russia recently IN
tlmated to Japan.to act with moderation and to
reckon upon other powers besides herself taxing
| part in the settlement Of terms Of peace. In re-
sponse Japan exhibited not the slightest dispo-
sition to acquiesce. The Increase OF Admirai
Fremantles fleet was therefore adopted, smul-
taneousy with reinforcements from Russia at
Vladivostock and orders II necessary to restrain
japan from the annhation OF her enemy. These
points are more likely 10 have been under dis
cusslon than the mere protection or the treaty
ports 1t may be noted that the changes and re-
arrangements Of the fleets which follow from the
decisions Of Wednesdays Cabinet will strengthen
British naval power in the Mediterranean
News OF the Cars condition reveals his case
as one of serious gravity. His Illness Is aggra-
| waited by morbid depression owing to the knowl-
edge that his favorte son is also beyond hope
| OF recovery. The current story OF the appoint
ment Of a regency is not improbable. but we arc
| not likely to hear definitely of such an arrange