The herald., 1896-02-16
IN THE QUEENS DOM|N|ONS
A Busy Week Among the Dr.
plomacy Manipulators
A RUSSO-TURKISH ENTENTE
Made Manifest by the Baptism of
Boris
Parliamentary Debate Indicates an AmicabIe
Settlement of the Venezuelan Boundary
Question Politics and Personals

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, Feb. 10 Copyrighted, 1896,
by the Associated Press. There is no
denying that the past week has been a
busy one in politics both at home and
abroad for the manipulators of British
diplomacy. The Transvaal took the first
place in the parliamentary debates, al
though the chief event in foreign politics
was the baptism of Prince Boris, eldest
son of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, into
the orthodox Greek church, the significance
of which is that it is generally admitted to
be a prelude to Russia's recognition of
Prince Ferdinand. 1t also shows that
Russia and Turkey are now hand in hand,
and this is provad by the fact that the
latter country has already asked the
powers to recognize Prince Ferdinand.
The powers will not oppose this request, as
it settles delicate question, and it is
doubted abroad whether Russia will obtain
the influence in the long run that she hopes
to attain through her influence over Bull
garia.
The pope tits known, has been greatly
annoyed by Prince Ferdinand's action and
has declared that 1t excommunicates him.
Considerable comment has been caused
by the appointment of Lii Hung Chang to
represent China at the czar's coronation,
especially as it is connected, by rumOr at
least with reported Russo-China alliance.
Th ,ce is strong helef in diplomatic cir
cles that Russia will try to use LII Hung
Chang to the full extent of the latter's ca
pability to being adapted to push the czar's
policy. But on the other hand, there are
people who think it probable that Lii Hung
Chang rival, Wung Tung Ho, the emperor's
has caused the Chinese diplomat to be
sent to Russia for the coronation in the
hope that Ii Hung Chang will SO seriously
damage his reputation that he may pass
at least an unpleasant hour when he re-
turns to Pekin.
Though the Transvaal question led the
parliamentary debates, the Venezuelan
dispute came in good second, and some
interesting remarks were heard for and
against the Beers and boundary arbitra-
ton.
Then, again, the speech which T. M.
Healy delivered on home rule, which ques-
ton bobbed UP as serenely as ever, is gen.
orally conceded to be the cleverest heard
this session. 1t was in marked contrast to
the feeble, watery character of John Dill
Ions remarks. et .-.a- T..
Mr.. Healy's speech was a fine fighting
effort, and he repeatedly scored the Con-
servative leader, Mr.. A. ]. Balfour, to the
delight of the occupants of the Irish
benches.
Tine remarks of Sir William Vernon Har-
court, the Liberal leader, proved very satis-
factory TO the members of his party and
his attitude toward the Venezuela dispute
has been strongly commended by Conserv-
alives as we'll as Liberal organs. In fact.
his urging arbitration reflects the general
feeling of the house of commons, and for
that matter. of all the thinking portion of
the population.
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech on the Trans
vaal question produced an excellent effect,
but the credit he has gained by his master
ly handling of the subject from first to last
has been marred by what appears to be an
error of judgment in publishing his mes
sage to President Kruger before it was de-
livered to the chief executive of the South
African republic, who only got a short
cable summary from the secretary of state
for the colonies, brefer, in fact, than the
one sent to the Cape by the news agencies.
President Kruger was greatly offended at
this slight and replied curtly, resenting in
reference in the internal affairs of the
Transvaai.
Under these circumstances there is gen.
eral feeling that the imbroglio is no way
settled and that the international side of
the question is still susceptible of trouble.
The publication of the blue book here
and the white book in Berlin shows that
there has been friction between Germany
and Great Britain over the Transvaal for
the past eleven months, and the shrewd
attitude of Portugal in delaying making a
reply to the request to allow German
marines to land at Delagoa bay until the
crisis was over, has given great deal of
satisfaction here.
The English newspapers interpret the
correspondence as disclosing that Germany
is aiming to establish veto. not merely
over the political, but over the commercial
union of South Africa, and there is gen.
eral feeling here that Great Britain must
resist this pretention to the utmost. The
speech of the German minister of foreign
affairs, Baron Marschal Won Bieberstein.
has somewhat smoOthed the bitterness and
it is thought to have been intended as an
advance toward Great Britain, especially
in the case of his denial of any knowledge
of any refugees having appealed for Ger
man intervention. But this denial is puz-
ziing in view of the British advices to the
contrary.
The blue book just issued on the Armen-
ian negotiations is exceedingly interesting.
steadily opposed to coercive measures, and
intimated that any such steps upon the
part of Great Britain would be positively
dstasteful to her. She objected to the
scheme of reforms being regarded as an
ultimatum, and did not want to see another
Bulgaria established in Armenia. The dis
patches of Prince LobsnoH Rostovsky, the
Russian minister of foreign affairs, indicate
that Russia was convinced that the feeling
in England against the so-called misrule of
the sultan was really due to the work of
the Armenian agitators.
A striking feature brought out by the
blue book is the fact that in spite. OF Rus
sia's attitude. Great Britain persisted in a
pretence of correction. The newspapers
are inclined to throw the blame on Sir
Phillip Currie, ambassador at Copstanti-
nople, and it is already announced that the
latter is to take leave of absence, which
may prove perpetual and it is reported
that Baron Cromer, the British consul
general in Egypt, will replace him. Baron
Cromer has been very successful in his
treatment of Egyptian affairs. Another
rumor is that Sir Philip Currie will succeed
the Marquis of Dufferin, the British am.
bassatlor at Paris, who will shortly resign.
1t is stated that the blue book on Vene-
zuela shortly to he issued is arranged in
two divisions. The first is reported to be a
narrative of the summary of the British
case, and the second is described as being
the fullest evidence upon which the British
claims rest.
There has beer considerable comment in
scientific circles over the announcement
published in various Canadian papers that
the Prince of Wales would visit Canada in