Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-23


 that this was a counter movement to Russia's projected occupation of a port in Corea. The Coreans pressed China as the suzerain of their country to obta.n the evacuation of Port Hamilton by the British. The British government replied that it was willing to withdraw its fleet provided that China obtained Russia'S promise not to occupy any part of Corea. Russia made the promise to China and Port Hamilton was abandoned by the British, but 1t was handed over to China, not to Corea, showing that Great Britain respected Chinas suzerainty over Corea. But Russias promise was made to China only, and if she TOW desires release from it she will undoubtedly succeed in obtaining it. Indeed, it would satisfy the enmity of the Chinese government against Japan if Russia asked to be re- leased. Despite the tone of MT. Curson's statement, it Is not clear that any other power could prevent Russia from ob- taining absolution from her promise. The situation threatens another humilia tion for Lord Salisbury. The indepedent jour nals, in pondering over the unexpected reverses that the minister has met with in his foreign policy, evolve the following: Lord Salisbury's reputation as for eign minister was almost wholly due to the belief that he was the English states man of the triple alliance. Under him British action in outlying parts of the world used to always count on the be- nevolent neutrality of the triple all!- ance. Lord Salisbury would have liked this to have continued during his present ministry, but the new principle of con tinuity in the British foreign policy com pelled him to prosecute Lord Rosebery's Armenian, Chinese and Japanese policies, with the result that he displeased Ger many. The continuation of this displeas- ure was Emperor Williams message to President Kruger of the South African republic, which excited so much hostility toward Germany here.
 Public opinion will not tolerate the idea of British approachment with Ger many, and working entente with France is impossible without the approval of Russia. Russia owes Lord Salisbury many personal grudges, dating from the negotiations of the treaty of Berlin. Russian journals now recall a public speech made by Lord Salisbury in 1885, within a few weeks of his becoming prime minister for the first time. In the speech he described Russia as being . bankrupt in pocket and reputation, and many similar utterances made by him are recalled in diplomatic circles. Tho be- lief grows that he will shortly wi INV from the post of foreign mniste- ut that he will retain the prime minister ship. Lord Landsdowne, formerly gov ernor-general of India, is most likely to succeed him in the foreign office. The greatest secrecy is maintained regarding sJo and the officers who accompanied him on his raid into the Transvaal. A host of reporters have gone to Plymouth, where the transport Victoria is expected to land the prisoners. Some of them have been there for days awaiting the arrival of the party in order to interview them. It is expected, however, that the authori- ties will outwit them. It is believed that the Victoria has been ordered to run at slow speed so as to arrive at midnight Sunday. A tug will then take the prison CTS there to a special train, which will hurry the party to London. The object of the authorities is to prevent demon stration Of sympathy, and they think that this will be effected by bringing the prisoners to London at an early hour. Among the fourteen prisoners on the Victoria is only one American, Major Heany. Ambassador Bayard has been notified by the government that he Will be freed immediately, as the government does not intend to include him among those who will be prosecuted. 1t IS un- known when the steamer Harlech castle, with 300 of the rank and file of Dr. Jame- sons expedition on board will arrive, but when she does all the prisoners aboard of her will be set at liberty and sept to their homes. Several Americans are among this party
 The grounding of the German steamer .Kaxler at Ismailia, for several days com nletely blocking the traffic of the canal to all but vessels of very light draught, has opened the eyes of the Brltlsn gov ernment to serious condition or a1alrs. The grounding of the kaXler was doupt- less due to pure accident, but 1t is now clear that if any large vessel was pur- posely run ashore at good speed, or II the officers of a vessel should scuttle her or blow her up the canal would be blocked until it could be cleared, an occupation that would probably occupy three weeks. Tn some eventualities such delay in the massage of warships and transports might result in the loss of India to the British crown. Three or four Italian transports having on board troops to re- inforce General Baratairi the governor of Erythrea who is conducting the opef- ations against Kng Menelik of Abyssinia, were detained at Ismailia, it being inn possible for them to get by the Kaxler
 There is much discussion over the pro- posal of the Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, first lord of the treasury, to change the pro cedure of the house of commons. Fri days have hitherto been set aside for the discussion of members private bills. Mir Balfour now proposes that henceforth Fridays shall be devoted to the discus sion of the government estimates, which discussion must be completed in twenty Fridays The older conservatives join with the Irish members in strongly op- posing the proposal MT Balfours plan is based on an article written by Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, the colonial secre- tary, which was published in the Nine- teenth Century in December, 1S90 The article was entitled, Shall We American ize Our Institutional"
 In the Reichstag