The herald., 1896-03-08
AUSTRIA MUCH ALARMED
Russia and France Accused Of Assisting
King Menelik
A Possible Combination Of Germany and
Russia In Opposition to British Inter-
ests-Agitation Of Bimetallism

and Ia thought likely to lead to a fresh ad-
vance by the dervishes into upper Egypt.
General Baratieri's defeat must have an
enormous moral effect in Africa and dimin-
ish considerably the prestige of European
troops Of all nationalities.
The defeat at Adowa, moreover. serious
ly affects 1taly's position in Europe politi-
cally and financially. As to it's bearing on
the dreibund, number of contradictory
reports are in circulation. On one side,
Russia, France and Germany are reported
to have come to some sort Of an agreement
upon their course in the future; on the
other hand, it is said today that Austria
is alarmed and is urging Germany to ce.
ment better understanding with Great
Britain. The latter supposition is likely to
be correct. but the accomplishment of
Austria's plan looks difficult, as things
now stand. If it is true that Russia and
France have been secretly assisting King
Menelik against Italy, it would seem but
natural that Emperor William. who has
been leaving no stone unturned to bring
about more cordial relations between Ger
many and Russia, should side with the
latter power and France in a joint endeavor
to crush Italy's colonial aspirations in
Africa, and by so doing strike blow at
Germany's leading colonial rival, Great
Britain.
According to the leading provincial news
papers, Italy has applied to Great Britain
for assistance, chiefly financial, and report
has 1t that q large Italian loan will soon be
hoated in London. In addition important
communications are said to have passed
between the two governments relative to
the possible movements of Egyptian troops
about the upper Nile.
Military men here express much SYM
pathy for Italy in her troubles and several
former British army officers have already
offered their services to the Italian govern
meIt for duty in Africa.
A number of American ladies will be
present at the first drawing room of the
season, which will be he held at Bucking-
ham palace on Wednesday next. by the
Prince of Wales, representing the queen.
They will include Mrs. George n. Curzon,
the Duchess of Marlborough, Lady BEN
nett, Mrs. Henry White, Mrs. Richie of
California, Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Clara Curtis
of Boston, and others who will be present.
ed in the general circle.
The Asbantee spells have arrived at the
colonial Office and are very disappointing.
The whole lot is said to be not worth more
than $4,000. pumber of the articles are
hollow gold. instead of solid gold. like
these captured on the previous British ex-
petition to Ashantee. The inference is
that the supply of Ashantee gold has
greatly diminished recently. The three
chief objects are King Prempeh's crown,
made of gazelle skin. lined with yellow
plush, each side of the lapel OF the crown
being ornamen,ed with pure soft gold,
representing the skulls and jawbones of
lions, the whole surmounted by two golden
goats horns. The executioner's gruesome
badge of office, ornamentcd with gold rep
resentations of headless bodies, and with
the executioner holding a drawn sword in
the center and the executioner's sword,
deeply blood stained, and with the hilt
ending in huge gold ball.
The army estimates, published yester-
day, show expenditures amounting to
42O,e4O,77O, an increase of 100000
over lS95.
The secretary of war, the marquis of
Lansdowne. i'll presenting the estimates,
stated that recent events in East Africa
make reduction of the British garrison in
Egypt improbable.
The marquis added that especial efforts
were being made to provide the artillery
with the new converted guns and that the
recruiting for 1895 was satisfactory with
the desertions numbering the fewest on
record.
The attention of the first lord of the
treasury, Mr.. A. j. Balfour, will be called
next week by Mr.. T. j. Bowles, Nj. p,
for Kings Lynn, conservative, to the state
nents in the Span sh press that in the
event of a war between Spain and the
United States. Spanish privateers will
prey. upon American commerce. MIR.
Bowles will ask whether, in view of the
complications and injuries which British
trade would suffer in such an event, or in
case OF war between Great Britain and
n country which has not acceded 10
the declarations of Paris, the government
would consider the whole effect of the dec
laration of Paris and the advisablity of
Great Britain's Withdrawing therefrom.
The Young Radicals have broken out
into revolt against the policy of the elder
leaders of their party. The dual leader
ship between Lord Rosebery and Sir Will
lam Harcourt is the source of dispute.
Henry Labouchere and others have long
protested against the Radical (that is the
tern: now generally applied to the Liberals
by tho great Conservative majority leader
being in the house of lords. A majority of
the Liberals. although dissatisfied with the
leadsrship of Lord Rosebery, believe that
Sir William Harcourt will not remain long
III parliament and therefore they are dis
posed to choose as leader either John
Morley or Henry Asquith. The Radicals,
however, are also dissatisfied with the
the power of tho whips. who, they urge,
should be associated with the advisory
committee. The Radicals have held a
meeting in the house OF commons and
adopted . resolution embodying their griev.
ances. 1t has been sent to Sir William
q
a cleavage in the party unless the leaders
are conciliatory.
There will ebe a meeting of tho gold
standard members OF parliament next |
week to consider the necessary measures
to be adopted in order to oppose tho mo-
tion ai.sl establish an International bimet- !
ssllc currency which is TO be debated on |
Mach 18th. it is understood that Sir |
Michael Hicks-Beach has announced his |
mention OF opposing the motion, and the |
cnciiig gold standard members intend to |
Gail upon Sir Michael before tho day of the |
DEBATE to induce him to change his mind.
According to the Daily News the atti-
orders viii pnssibly % "bN be- marked r i by a
change In few wee!Ss. Cardinal Vaughan
and Canon Noyes have produced tren-
chant 7ePo:t dealing historically will, tho
whole problo.n. and it convicts these
orders, under twenty heads, OF hcresy by
negation or admission. The consequent |