New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-31
TpY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.1

in the warning Of Sir Edward Grey respecting
French aggressions in Africa, which is not les
sened by the widespread satisfaction with wnich
that warning has been hailed throughout Great
Britain As a Little Engander, 1t was naturas
that Mr. Labouchere should find fault with II
and describe Sir Edward Grey's language as
menace to France; nor was it surprising that MI.
Bowes a student Of blue books and bitter op-
ponent Of the Government should be pessimis'io
In view Of the weak action which followed Lord
Rosebery's strong words about Slam. But there
is more interest among Engl.shmen, for CONNER
cal as well as political reasons, in African AFFAIRS
than in Siamese politics Moreover. the unpro-
yoxed aggressions Of French expeditions In various
parts of Africa within English spheres OF IN
huence." and the language Of the CooniaI party
in Paris have aroused a feeling approaching
anxiety to know whether or not France Is SEEK
irg to pick a quarrel with Great Britain; Or
perhaps to speak more accurately. wnether OF
rot It will be possible for the Government OK
France TO prevent the colonial hre eaters ana 'he
Boulevard newspapers from hurrying the couh-
try INTO serious conflict with England.
That the temper OF Frenchmen generay tow
ard England has undergone change for the
worse since the colonial expansionists and the
Paris press began their AngloPhobe crusade no
one denies A casual yisitor to France. II he un-
derstands the language, may often hear insulting
remarks In restaurants and public places when
ever an Engshman Is recognized as SUCH Thore
is no just reason for this feeling IL s certainly
not recirrocated in England, and no one In an
official. certainly not in a commercial. position
has the slightest desire to disturb the existing
amcable relations.
: The recent movements Of France In the Niger
territory however and her threatened seizure
of the head-waters OF the Nile have caused 50
much anxiety that Lord Kimberley was urged 70
speak out with hrmness and he did so through
the mouth of Sir Edward Grey. and In language
which can .eave no misapprehension as TO tho
views OF the British Government. The French
newspapers have hardly had time 10 comment
upon what some OF them describe as British
menace The more serious OF them, discussing
the subject yesterday, show perfect willingness
to recognize Egyptian. but not British, rights on
the Upper Nile. According 70 these autnoritles
France disregards the treaties made by England
with Germany Italy and the Congo Free state.
Sir Edward Grey's statement will call out others
from members Of the French Chamber. and next
week II will be known what official France mas
20 say 20 the British warning Its notable that
Sir Edward Greys declarations are approved by
most ultra-Radical newspapers Even Inc
Speaker warns Frenchmen that Mr.. La
bouchere's opinion about Egyptian and African
questions is shared by nobody.
The Speakersh!p contest is still unsettled. al
though Mr.. Gladstone is understood TO have been
invited TO arrange a compromise. The truth Is
the Conservatives are determined 10 run sir
Matthew White-Ridley at any cost, and their
warming 10 Mr.. Gully the present Ministerial
favorite that he must not count upon reelection.
or even the usual pension. II the next general
election brings the Unionists into office. has
soff fna
any Ministerial candidate To avoid the appear
ance of party defeat this subject. the Min
istry have caused It to be known that they will
not treat the election OF Speaker as vote OF
confidence In truth the Government are al
ready reconc!ling themselves 10 the prospect OF
seeing one of the first offices Of State pass into
the hands of their political rivals.
The Chltral campaign attracts more attention
than is generally devoted to any Indian frontier
war 1t has been expected for months. and the
Government in anticipation OF this and other
Northwest frontier difficulties. has always MAIN
tained a substantial army in readiness around
Peshawur. Within fortnight they are able to
move IA 900 men into the Pathan Hills and TO
take them straight across country to the rescue
of Robertson and his besieged escort. The Chitral
region to be penetrated is terra incognita. No
Englishman has travelled between India and
Chltra by the short route. Its passes and defiles
have been mapped by few Of the large body OK
native geographers trained in the Indian Survey
Office. who for twenty years have travelled into
the least known regions of India. where white
man or Christian would not dare to show his
face.
But the difficulties Of the enterprise are not
only topographcal; the expedition will enter
vertabe hornets nest OF The widest hillmen in
Asia. There is no tribe in AfShanstan more
fanatical and warl.ke than the Swatis. The chief
ruler Of those regions. Umra Khan, whose forces
are assisting in the investment OF Chitral. Is an
adventurer who raised himself to his present
position by the sword. he has enormous nfu-
ence. and 1t is not improbable that the British
expedition may find itself confronted by 10000 or
1900 hillmen 1T various stages OF the journey.
The British authorities are naturally exceedingly
anxious about the outcome OF this enterprise. 1t
will be a great achievement to secure a short
cut from Peshawur to Chtral. beyond which 10
a comparatively easy pass into Russian Turke-
stan. for the command Of that point is the real
objective point of the campaign: but this result
be obtained only by an enormous outlay OF
money and probably large sacrifice Of life.
Ch.tral may prove another Afghanistan.
This mornings news that Japan has granted an
armistice to China is naturally welcomed by the
commercial community. As 1t is the result OF .
generous impulse the part OF the Mikado
prompted by regret for~the fanatcal attack upon
a widely respected plenipoteniary. the conclusion
of this armstce is invested with circumstances Of
sentiment which will secure to His Majesty the
approval OF the civilized world. Everybody had
become tired of the monotony Of the japanese
successes. and English statesmen and politicians
fearful that the victorious troops would not
cease their advance until they had occupied
1iny MIC
rise to graver consequences than the mere deg
radiation OF the vanaushed Chinese. The flight
OF the Court from Peking would possibly have
inuol.rod- tho foil Of the Manchu dynasty and the !