The record-union., 1896-04-27

Fears That President Faure Cannot
Prevent a Conflict.
German Papers Think European Ma
tiOnS Should Exert Influence
Toward Securing a New Form OF
Government for France-NeceSSity
for Germany to Improve Its ARM
ament - Expressions Regarding
South African Affairs.


South African Affairs.
BERLIN, April 26.-The prospect of
collision between the French Senate
and the Chamber of Deputies, resulting
in changes in the Constitution, placing
nc control over the power of single
chamber, is regarded in responsible
Government quarters here as a matter
CT the gravest concern. The mere resig-
nation of a Cabinet upon a party ques-
ton has long been considered matter
Of small moment, but the present situa-
ton threatens to shake the stability OF
the Eastern relations of the French
Republic.
In an article commenting upon this
state Of affairs, the National Zeitung"
holds to the belief that the permanency
Cf the policy of France is impossible to
rely upon, and that sooner or later the
internal troubles of the republic will be
reflected upon the relations of France
with foreign powers.
The ''Vossische Zeitung" expresses
fear that the Constitution of France
will not furnish President Faure with
an adequate means to avoid an ulti-
mate conflict between the two cham
bers, though he may be able to hit
upon temporary expedients to delay the
struggle which is nearing the newt
able, and the interested Europeans
ought to exert their influence to the end
CT securing a new form of Government
for France
The feeling of uneasiness inspiring
these and similar comments by the
press is due to the belief that the ex-
lstence of the Senate restraints the dan
gerous impulses Of the democratic
Chamber. Whatever political stripe Of
Government France has had since
1870, not one of them has ceased to pre-
pare to take the forefront in a conflict
for the restoration of her military su-
premacy in Europe.
1t has been learned by the German
War Office that the Bourgeois Ministry
some time before its fall had decided to
ask the chambers for credit of 100000
francs for the purpose of supplying the
army with quick firing guns of a pat
tern superior to any that has yet been
produced. This, however, was not a
surprise to the War Office, which had
already prepared designs for a new
quick-firing gun supposed to be a great
deal more effective than the French
weapon. The French invention has
long been in possession OF the War De-
partment, and has been kept a strict
secret, the Government being reluctant
to order the construction of the guns.
as a radical change in the artillery
equipment of the army would involve
ar outlay of 100000, 900 marks Now
that France is likely to obtain a new
and formidable gun, it is imperative
that the ReichStag must be asked for
the necessary credits to strengthen the
artillery equipment of Germany Conf
dence is felt in official circles that the
Reichstag will recognize the fact that
the artillery arm of the military service
urgently requires the credit and that
upon hearing the Ministerial statement
upon the subject it may also grant
naval credit, and so bring both the mill
tary and naval service 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 pa
encroachments upon the Transvaal, but
upon the whole Afrikander interests. to
which Germany, these journals assert.
is now inclined to tender her moral sup
port and even diplomatic intervention.
The North German Gazette" argues
that the Cape States ought to sustain as
complete autonomy as Australia and
the remaining members of the British
empire, and with as full a measure of
Independence Nothing short of this,
the Gazette" adds, will effectively pre-
vent civil war.
The 'Vossische Zeitung'' blames Mr..
Chamberlain, the British Colonial Sec
rotary, for want of tact in dealing with
president Kruger of the Transvaal Re-
public for insulting the Boer admins
tration by accusing it of wholesale cor
ruptlon and for acting throughout as
though 1t were an absolute fact that
! south Africa is going to pieces
1t is an extremely serious matter"
the paper continues, ito find that the
words race war are current through
out the Cape. If a conflict takes place
between England and the Transvaal.
the British possessions in South Africa
Will be at stake
lite Aldeutsche Batter boldly con-
tends that Germany and the Beers
ought to hold together and force back
English invasion, and forever make
south Africa great field for German
immigration, where Germans could pre-
serve their nationality and give solid
support to German doctrines. theories
and ideas everywhere
The 'Aldeutsche Batter is less di-
plomatic in its utterances than the
North German Gazette" but the paper
better expresses the popular sentiment.
Apropos of the general German feel
ing in regard to England the cognate
question, ''Wil the Emperor go to
Cowes in the autumn as he had prom
ised to do?' has been variously dis
cussed, with the result that the prepon-
derance of opinion is that he will not
visit England if the present tendency of
the English policy continues and that
no lnducement that can be offered by
FAMILY connections is likely to persuade
MN TO go. In an article upon this SUBJ
Ject the inspired "Magdeburg Gazette
says: THE Kaiser will not visit Eng
land without fully considering the polit-
zeal situation, and the rapidity with
which changes are being made therein