The San Francisco call., 1896-10-04
Reasons for Believing That an
Entente Is Formed as to
Armenia.
UNDER A TRIPLE PROTECTION.
Peculiar ignorance of the English and
Germans in Regard TO Ameri.
can Politics.
Copyright. 1896. by New rme+I

more enerOus flow than usual OF court
news from Balmoral. due, it is said, to the
personal interposition of the Queen in
favor of the barred-out journalists, the
only matters the world cares to know
about in connection with the Gar visit
are kept fairly secret. There are in con-
sequence wild rumors about many impos-
sible things which Lord Salisbury could
not have said to the Czar, but not word
leaks out about Armenia. The pubic re-
ceives liberal information as to the num-
be- and kind of uniforms in which the
Russian monarch has been photographed
in the course of single morning. W lie
the optimistic reports about his excellent
health are about as accurate as the fairy
tales told regarding his prowess in shoot
ing Highland game.
Meanwhile all England, indeed all the
thinking and fighting word of Europe, is
intently watching this overwrought young
man, whose delicate frame, shaken by
recent tragedies, hardly seems strong
enough to stand what would be an almost
breaking strain for far stronger man.
The precautions taken tonight all along
the route travelled by the Gear exceed any,
thing previously known in the history of
royal l-protected progress in this country.
The imperial person is to be guarded all
through England and out 10 see, as if
Nicholas were passing through an enemv's
country. and Englishmen who wish to see
their country's honored guest will have to
60 to France that purpose. 1t is possi-
bic that there are special reasons for these
defensive measures in that the authorities
hauf -har - air
yet the common-sense explanation is
probably that the young man requires
quiet and an opportunity 20 pull himself
together before facing the ST brilliant
but most trying days of his life.
As to the Armenian question, two things
tend TO show the Existence of an entente
cordiale between Russia and England in
this matter. One is the favor evidently
shown to Lord Salisbury and the high
honor bestowed on him. Another is the
perhaps unwilling but very decided i'm
proyement IN the tone of the Russian
press, although that press is still very
careful to impress on its readers the fact
that this is only decent civihEv to the peo-
pie in whose house their master happens
TO be lodging. Whatever has been sug-
gested or discussed or even decided at
Balmoral, the ultimate adjustment must,
it is opined by those who know best and
are nearest to the highest actors, depend
on the events and conference of the next
few days in France. Till these have taken
place the rest is mere guesswork.
From Vienna comes the mysterious
message that all is honorably settled, but
the terms are not stated. 1t seems more
than probable that the settlement may
take the form of confning the Armenians
within certain districts under the triple
protection of Russia, France and Eng
land, and yet a short study of the map
will show the difficulty of an Armenian
pale.
1t Is somewhat amusing to watch the
houndering of certain portions of the
English press in its calculation about the
coming Presidential election in the United
States. The more sensible papers
acknowledge their ignorance in the
matter; the others dolefully own that if
Mr. Bryan wins it will graveIy imperil
the safety of every large investment of
British capital in America, while Mr.. Nc
Kinley's success will mean aggressive
protectionlst measures specially hostile to
British trade. The one thing clear to
newspaper critics here is that Great
Britain stands TO lose either way. Little
is said by those Englishmen whose
opinion would be received with respect in
America. as it is felt by the best men here
that any decided expression of opinion
might very rightly be resented as imperti-
nent interference at most critical time.
Their silence is very far from meaning
hatred to Mr.. Mckinley or a gold policy.
There are still some sane men in Eng
land.
German opinion has been busying itself
with Prince Bismarck's letter to Governor
Culberson, and one thing is perfectly
clear. 1t is we'll known that Bismarck is
loitily ignorant on economic and metallic
questions. No one knows this better than
himself, for he has expressed very clearly
to Lord Aldenham and others his regret
thai he ever meddled in currency matters.
Keen and level-h headed Germans in Amer
lea Will be the first to recognize that the
Iron Chancellor, with all his great gifts,
is little likely now that he is far removed
from active political life to be able to
give an authoritative opinion on a subject
which puzzled him when every possible
means OF official ana private information
was ready TO his hand. Bismarcks advice
deserves respectful attention simply as the
tentative utterance of an aged student,
probing IN his later years a difficult sub
ject which he was confessedly unable or
unwilling to master in his youth. Bis
marck's advice may have hit at En- land
but he should have chosen a weapon
which be more accusiomted to handle.
Although it will take some three years
more to really complete the opening Of the
Iron Gates of the Danube, the presence of
the Austrian Emperor at the official OPEN
ing, and his subsequent visit to Rouma-
MIA have completed an alliance which
may be more fraught with grave conse-
quences 10 European his ory than even
the great ngineering feat itself There
is without doubt very close ard definite
alliance between Austria and Roumania,
which may lead before long in new
shake up and new grouping of the
powers OF Europe. The one thing wanted
Is, perhaps great Austrian statesman.
The new treaty made between Italy and
Iunis is very favorably looked upon by
honest statesmen in Rome, and it is con-