The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-01-17
ENCLAND'S new FLEET
The Flying Squadron Put
in Commission.

Its Destination Still Unknown
England Believed To Be En-.
dcavoring To Gain Continent l
Friends-Her Policy in the . {.
Condition of Affairs Improving.
London, Jan. 15.-The vessels COM
prising the new flying squadron, the
duties of which are still problematical,
were put in commission yesterday with
all the ceremonies that attend that
naval function. The fleet is composed
of the first class battleships Revenge,
flagship, and Royal Oak, the first class
cruisers Theseus and Gibraltar and the
second class cruisers Charybdis and
Hermione and six torpedo boat de-
stroyers. The fleet, exclusive of the
torpedo boat destroyers, mounts
seventy-two guns, and has total
tonnage of 5000. The officers and
crew number over 1900 men. Rear
Admiral Alfred T. Dale commands the
squadron. The destination of the
squadron is still unknown. But little
reliance is placed in the statement that
it is to proceed to Turkish waters. The
arrival at Malta OF thirteen of the
British vessels which had been at
Salonica as part of the combined
European fleet which it was supposed
was to make an effective demonstration
against Turkey, but which did nothing
but ride at anchor week after week
miles from the Turkish capital, is taken
as a pretty strong indication that the
new squadron is not going to Turkish
waters.
Wants Continental Friends.
There is an under current of popular
feeling here that strongly supports the
alleged policy of the government that
is said to be making in the direction of
a better understanding between Great
Britain, France and Russia. Though
England is confident in her own
strength it would be disadvantageous
for her in the event of war to have no
friends on the continent, and recent
events have shown that whether such
action was preconcerted or not she is
practically isolated so far as European
sympathy is concerned. 1t is held that
If the statement is true that the dis
pute with France relative to Siam and
the French claims on the Mekong river
has been settled long step has been
taken in the direction of an entente
with France. But there always re-
mains as a barrier to a complete rap
proachment the question of the British
occupation of Egypt Until this ques-
ton is settled in some manner satisfac-
tory to France, and there is no evidence
that any change is even contemplated,
there cannot be entire harmony in the
political relations between the two
countries.
England's Policy I'm the East.
It is thought it would be an easy
matter to arrive at an understanding
with Russia, but even in this direction
many difficulties present themselves
Little is heard of the question of an
open port for Russia in the far east, but
it is certain that the question is only
in allegiance, and England, to pro
tect her vast interests in the east,
will be compelled to oppose by every
OlpAOuudOlC ulcdHS III ucT power UIl0 dC-
QUESTION by Russia of port from
which her fleets could threaten those
interests. However, it may be possible
for Lord Salisbury to surmount the
difficulties in such manner as
would enable the three powers to come
to workable understanding on mat
ters pertaining to all of them and more
particularly on questions affecting
their interests in Europe.
Improved Condition of Affairs.
The indications to-day further bear
out the predictions of the United Press
that there will be no war. The vari-
GUS government Offices are very chary
of giving information to the press, but
it is evident from what can be gathered
from outside sources that the condi-
tion of affairs improves from day to
day.