Birmingham state herald., 1895-10-13
OM|NOUS, ID SAY THE LEAST Inner Cabal of the Council in
 Session. THE ADMIRALTY IS ACTIVE Who Is to Be Chastised -Almon-Eyed John or
 the Unspeakable Turk SALISBURY IS FOR STRIKING TERROR The Situation in China Charged With Dyna- mite - Sackville-West's Pamphlet
 Characterised as "Storm in
 Slop Basin.''
SALISBURY IS FOR STRIKING TERROR

London, Oct. 12-(Special Cable Let ter.)-The Rt. Hon. George Goschen, first lord of the admiralty; the Duke of Devonshire, president of the council, and the Rt. Hon. Arthur J. Balfour. first lord of the treasury, have been summoned by Prime Minister Salisbury to conference in London. The officials named, with the Rt. Hon.. Joseph Chamberlain. secretary of state for the colonies, form coun- cil within the cabinet. They are prepar- ing decisions, of which the pleniary coun- crs opinion will be taken.
 MT. Goschen's arrival from Switzerland yesterday and his long stay at the ad- miralty created the impression that dan gerous developments are impending. in volving action on the part of the British Mediterranean squadron. For eign officers opinion is that 1t is not the Turkish government, but that of China which is urgently engaging the attention of the ministers. Viceroy Chang Chin Tung, undaunted by the demonstration made lately by the British fleet in the Min river and the Yang-Tse-Kiang, has curtly refused to be used as medium to convey to Pekin the British demands for fuller inquiry into the Kucheng massacre and reparation therefor. is not believed that Great Britain will re- main content with the action she has already taken. It is generally expected that another ultimatum will be sent simultaneously to Chang Chin Tung and the government at Pelkin within the next few days. Possibly Lord Salisbury will consult with the full cabinet before the full ultimatum is sent.
 The position recalls a speech that was made by Lord Salisbury as far back as 1871, during a debate in the house Of lords on the massacre of missionaries In Tien-Tsin. He then said that the gov
 :. l,n fha m even If 1t had the will, to prevent the na- tive feeling against foreigners culmlnat- ing in outrages. The only way to deter the Chinese from committing such out rages was to inspire fear in the places where they occurred. It is the convlc- tion in official circles that Lord Sails bury is inspired by the same opinion now and that he means to take decisive ac- tion It is believed that the ultimatum will demand the degradation Of Chang Chin Tung. If the Pekin government hesitates in conceding the British de- mands startling reprisals will be made within the region accessible to the squad, ron on the expiration of the period fixed by the ultimatum. As Chang chm Iuns is next to Lii Hung Chang the most po- tent man in China, it is feared that the tsung Ii yamen will try to evade the de- mands
 The pamphlet violently attacking Am bassador Bayard and other Americans, issued by Lord Sackville. who as Sir Lii onel Sackville West was some time Brit ish minister to the United States mas not excited the smallest interest here A long summary of the pamphlet appeared in a provincial paper, on which the Tel egraph commented, but did not quote . the pamphlet. The St. James Gazette which is noted for it's dislike of Ameri- cans and all things American, refers to the matter as "a storm in slop basin. No other paper mentioned it. In the English diplomatic. as well as in the pub lie mind Lord Sackville's position as an extinct diplomat, who was never much esteemed, depriyes the pamphlet of all of it's importance, except as doupt1ul historic document the validity of which depends upon its coinciding with the published record. Lord Sackville per sonally has not the rcmotest political influence. Since his withdrawal from the diplomatic service he has sunk out of sight as completely as an unknown country squire.
 There is a vague rumor current in the clubs that MT. Bayard has brought the pamphlet to Lord Salisbury's notice. but this Is hardly credible Lord Salisbury has no right to interfere in the matter as Lord Sackville Is now outside of the government service.
 With the exception of the news that the porte is preparing to bar the passage of the -Dardanelles with mines, to rein force the troops and strengthen the works the position of affairs in Turkey. according to the latest foreign advices, is satisfactory The British squadron re- mains at the island of Lennon at the en- trance to the Dardanelles. despite the quest of the sultan that the fleet be taken to a more distant point Whatever else may happen no coup like the absurd canard reported from Vienna last night to the effect that the fleet was ready to sail for Constantinople, and that the Russian squadron was anchored near the Bosphorus, is within the range of possi- bility. If the British fleet ultimately ap- pears at Constantinople it would be after due formalities that would be announced the world over. In the meantime the best informed diplomatic opinion here regards a pacific settlement of the pend- ing questions as almost certain, the sul- tan granting the full concessions de- manded in connection with Armenia The situation appears to be so much ameli- orated and there will be no pleniary cab inet council called until the end of the month. the usual time for the ministry to begin to consider the parliamentary programme
 The Westminster Gazette says the peo- pie are asking why the cabinet does not meet, forgetting the fact that govern ment business is now carried on by an inner cabinet consisting of Lord Sails bury, the Rt. Hon. George J. Goschen. first lord of the admiralty; the Duke of Devonshire, president of the council: the lit. Hon. Arthur J. Balfour, first lord of the treasury. and the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain secretary of state for the colonies. Though this is true, Lord Salis- , bury will never commit the country to armed coercion of Turkey without con sulting the whole cabinet in council.
 Trouble has arisen between Great Britain and France over the Burmah- Chinese frontier. Under the Chinese con vention France acquired a large area of territory in the Shan State of Kiang Hung. Great Britain denies the right of China to cede this territory, which is part of the buffer state between the French and British possessions in that