Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-27
GERMANY IS ANXIOUS.
She Is Watching the French Crisis With an
Eagle Eye.

Berlin, April o5-The prospect of col.
lision between the French Senate and
the Chamber of Deputies resulting from
changes in the constitution placing no
control over the power of the single
chamber. is regarded in responsible gov
eminent quarters here as 4 matter OF the
grayest concern. The mere resignation
has long been considered matter OF
small moment. The present situation
threaten the stability of the external re-
lations of the French republic.
In an article commenting upon TINS
state of affairs, the National Zeituns
holds to the belief henceforth that the
permanency of the policy of France Is
impossible to rely upon, and sooner or
later internal troubles of the republic will
lie reflected upon the relations of France
with the Europeans.
The Vossische Zeitung expresses the
fear that the constitution of France will
not furnish President Faure with ade-
ouate means to avert the ultimate con-
hict between the two chambers.
though he may be able to hit upon
temporary expedients to delay the
struggle, which is nearing inevitable,
and interested European powers ought
to exert their influence to the end of
securing a new form of government for
France.
A feeling of uneasiness is inspiring
these and similar comments by the
press is due to the belief that the eX-
iStencc of the Senate restraints the
dangerous impulses of the Democratic
chamber Whatever political stripe of
government France has had since 1870,
one has ceased to prepare to take a
forefront in the conflict for the restora-
ton of her military supremacy in
Europe.
1t has been learned by the German
war office that the Bourgeois ministry.
some time before its fall. decided to
ask the Chambers for the credit Of
40 600. 900 francs for the purpose of
supplying the army with quick-firinS
guns of a pattern superior to any yet
produced This is not a surprise to the
war office, which has already provided
designs for new quick-f firing cams sup
posed to be a great deal more effective
than the French weapons.
The invention has long been in the
possession of the war office but has
been kept a complete secret, the gov
eminent being reluctant to order the
construction of the guns, as radical
change in the artillery equipment of
the army would involve an outlay of
100000, goo marks.
Now that France is likely to obtain
a new and formidable gun, it is impera-
tive that the Richstag be asked for
necessary credits to strengthen the
artillery equipment of Germany Con
fidence is felt in official circles that the
Richstag will recognize the fact that
the artillery arm of the military SER
vice urgently requires credit, and that
upon hearing the ministerial statement
upon the subject, it may also grant a
naval credit and bring both the mill
tary and naval services up to date.
The officially inspired press speaking
freely on the subject are giving out an
accurate expression of official and pub
lie opinion as to the relations of Great
Britain in South Africa, which the
papers declare are not confined to en-
cr0achments upon the Transvaal, but
extend to the whole Afrikander in
terests to which Germany, these jour
nails assert. is now inclined to tender
moral support and even diplomatic in
PREVENTION.
The North German Gazette argues
that the Cape states ought to obtain
as complete autonomy, as Australia
and the remaining members of the
British Empire and with as full meas
ure of independence. Nothing short
of this, the Gazette adds, will effec-
lively prevent civil war.
The Vossische Zeitung blames Mr.
Chamberlain the British colonial sec
rotary, for want of tact in dealing witt
President Kruger of the Transvaal re-
public for insulting the Boer admins
tration by accusing 1t of wholesale cor
ruption, for acting throughout as
though ii was an absolute i9ct that
South Africa is going to pieces. 1t is
an extremely serious matter" the paper
continues, Ito find the words race war
current throughout the cape. If a con.
fiict takes place between England ant
Transvaal. the British possessions il
South Africa will be at stake
The Altdeutsche Batter boldly con
tends that the Germans and Beers
ought to hold together and force bacl
Ehglish invasion and forever max,
south Africa great field for German
immigration, where Germans coult
preserve their nationality and give :
soma support to German doctrines
theories and interests everywhere,
The Altdeutsche Batter is less din
iomatic In its utterances than tn,
North German Gazette, but better ex
presses the popular sentiment. Apropo
Oh the general German feeling in re
gard to England, the cognate uuestio,
VIII the Emperor go to Cowes in ~
autumn. as he proposed" is hein,
variously discussed. with the resn,
tnat the preponderance of opinion |;
.'iat ne Will not visit England if tn
present tendency of English policy con
tiiiues' and no inducement that can Il