The Portland daily press., 1896-08-03
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.
Discussing Proposed Blockade of the Is
land of Crete-lEnglish Socialists on
American Political Affairs.

| American Political Affairs.
London, August IA cabinet council
lasting over two hours was held yester-
day, at which, it is understood. the Rus
So French proposal to establish a block
ade of the Island of Crete was the subject
under consideration. Subsequent to the
adjournment Of the council the opinion
was expressed at the foreign office shat
Lord Salisbury was opposed to the adop-
tion OF the proposal for blockade, and
would reply to the suggestions that suoh
a course be taken by counter proposals
island.
Inc Marquis of Londonderry. the Earl
OF Dunraven and the Earl of Winohilsea
took part In yesterdays debate on the
Irish land Dill in the House of Lords.
anu, aiShough consenting that the meas
ure should go to its second reading, the
three peers threatened what they would
do when the bill should have reached the
committee stage. Despite these threats.
however. the convict on prevails among
the minlsterialists that the peers will not
dare to tamper seriously with the meas
ure
Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, command
err chief Of the British forces, has Gre
ated sensation by statement ON We'd
nesday that he would not like to put In
dian troops in front of European soldiers
adding: Il should not like to fight the
army OF France or Germany or any other
army with Indian troops.'' Military
officers now in England who have Tserved
in India declare that there is no ground
for General Lord Wolseiey's remarks.
The Indian troops, they declare, are an
admirable fighting force, equal in every
way to the soldiery of Russia or any
other country. 1t Is the consensus of
opinion in military circles that the COM
mander-in chief was animated In making
his statement by feeling of jealousy
towards General Lord Roberts, whose
high opinion of the Indian soldiery is
based upon experience. Field Marshal
Lord Wolseley's action has caused indig-
nation protest upon all Sides and has
placed him in evil odor.
| The English Socialist leaders and their
| organs, In commenting on the silver agi-
tation and the growth of Populism treat
| them as offering more of promise than
of Immediate fruition. Mr.. Hindman
writes that a triumph of the silvsrites
| in the Democratic convention need not
bS regarded with satisfaction by the
Socialists. Currency jugglers," he
adds, ARE only red behring's to draw the
working people off the right trail"
The Clarion, largest in circulation of the
red-fag organs, says: eff the Ameri-
can voter imagines that Democratic BIZ
metallism or Republican import duties
will make any difference to him he
imagines vain thing. The bloodsuckers
will get there all tho same until the peo-
pie rise up to demand their own by pro-
claiming an out-and-out Socialist plat
FORM
After Mr.. Cham berlain and Sir Michael
Hicks Beach simultaneously spoke up
for Mr.. Balfour and disowned all desire
to take mis- place as leader of the House
of Commons, there was some pause in
the club and lobby criticisms of Mr..
bills. The Conservatives concluded that
Mr.. Balfour might be tolerated for anoth-
er session, and might improve by Keep
ing. This week there are signs of the
| adverse current against his leadership
setting again. But for his relationship
to Lord Salisbury and the strength of
the Cecil family influence. Mr.. Ralfour
would be obliged to seek the leisure of
the Upper House.
The leaders Of the great London dock
strike of 1889 are organizing another Of
equal magnitude. Messrs. Tom Mann,
Ben Tillet and j. II. Wilson, M. P. are
working to . get various Thames unions
to federate and strike simultan eously.
1t has long been publicly known thai the
sixpence rise supposed to have been con-
oeded by the dock companies WAS de-
fusion. The dockers are really worse
off than ever. Strike combination
agents are actively canvassing the men
at Dutch, Belgian and German ports to
help tho Thames strikers. The dock COM
panies have refused all the mems de-
mand.
| The rumor which for so me time past
has been in circulation in social circles
that the Queen was about to abdicate,
entirely without foundation.
Exciting Accident of a Bangor Couples
Honeymoon.
| Bar Harbor, August IA party con-