The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-27
lie Has Been Told 10 Obey the Powers
or Step Down.
BUT EUROPE FEARS A HOLY WAR.
This Il the Peril That Makes the Allied
Powers Hesitate to Enforce Their tlti-
matum - Campaign Against the
Gambling Heils In Belgium.
Copyrighted. 1896. by the sun Printing

i'd has managed to pass fairly comfort
able Christmas. despite tie TACT That De
IS in the position OF a criminal awaiting
sentence. lie has been told this week
by his dear friend. II. Neidon, the hus-
sian Ambassador. that the time has ar
rived for him to make up his mind to do
what the Powers tell him to do or to
make way for somebody more plant, Dnt
he cungs tcnaciousiy 10 the belief tn-t
the ambassadors arc no more in earnest
now than previously when the
situation was 10 ail appearance
as serious for him as it is now and IT IS
bcrOming daily evident tAdt coercion
with an It's poris will have to be ap-
Piled. IL is alleged that IT Is the reality
Oh tneso periis tnat makes tne 4c"eia
even now al the last moment hcai-
tate 10 take the irrcvocable step. lnc
fleets are ready and tho Russian armies
are ready u EnrUUe aIl ASIA. INiD4'
ultmatum has been delivered ald yet de-
oisive action is delayed IL was sug-
gested to-day that the Powers fear that
Abdul Iamid has really resolved upon
the desperate expediout OF declaring holy
war and OF DsrcAing. n need oc. ne-
meath the ruin OF his empire, and that
tNeN arc not l4tIal Ca AyA Hti'4. "a --.-+-N's
contingency.
FRANCE is ACTIVE.
France ia particular IS said 10 be dis
PLAYING at this critical moment uneNpect-
ed resolution and beiated distrust. not
only of England, but Of her friend and
ally. Russia Another Informed report
er telecraphs to-day that Austria and
Germany are again raising objections 10
coercion and that they have notified the
other Powers Of their ability 70 AXE any
share therein.
There is 40 truth I'm any of these re-
ports. Russia continues TO lead Europe.
There is not a single Power prepared 70
say her nay i'm any course Of acL3n II
she made it necessary TO make EuI C
Will respected I'm Constanuuople.
PERHAPS RUSsIAS PLAN.
Abdul HAmlds mind remains "a con-
fused mass OF hope. fear. fanticism. men
dacitv and fatalism. absolutely witnout
the leaven OF quality Of manlineis CT
kindness. Sun delay in undeniable. Ilo
imp.osslons seems to prevail however
that It is an integral part OF hussia>
plans 10 have Mohamodan rising pa Con-
stantlnoile against Abdul bamid, and
that the pause is deliberate In order 10
permit the Turkish retormers 10 repO7e
the Sultan and thus obviate the armed in
terventlOn of the Powers IL may ne
there IS something I'm this explanation. IL
is beyond doubt that Professor Anthony
Salon and other refugees in London who
are I'm close touch with The young Iur-
kish party expect % revolution 10 occur at
any moment and M q dinner Of mcmberS
OF the same or-aulz tron in iiile iN'
other night everybody was eXcitedly tx
uectiug what TO the lDw outsiders present
was described vaguely as stirring news
from Constantinople.
AFTER TIE GAMBLERS.
Some months AGO M g.. Harry editor
Of the Indepcndanco Ielrc, Of Brussels,
which is ono of the best newspapers pub-
lishcd on tho continent of Europe en-
tered upon n campaign AGAINST the gam
bling heis recently established I'm num-
hor of towns of Belgium. with tho pleas
ing result chat DE is already the deien-
dant in several big libel actions. his
crusade has resulted in number or
gaming dons being closed ly the police,
and the government is pledged 10 deal
with Che criL which was fast becoming
ID grave scandal n. Harris campaign
almost establishes @ journalistic record
for the conspicuous Wror, courage. and
ability with wnich IT was conducted and
tho rapidity with which results were
achieved.
within tho last two or three years.
thanks mainly to % very loose Mnd Of
legislation gambling hc!ls. styling them
selves private clubs. multiplied In Bel
yium. There was little OF Tie club about
them. save the name. for anybody VINO
cared 90 patrorize them could gain ad-
mission with tho utmost ease.
MONTE CARLO DUPLICATED.
Not only had such hcaith and pleasure
resorts as Ostend and Spa. their ccrcies
rrivcs where roulette ana trontcet
auartette were played UPON as large a
scale. although Jess openly than at Monte
| Carlo. but establishments Of the same
kind have been cropping mp in much
smaller places. ln ono little village on the
river Mouse there We're two casinos. and
in another village just across tho from
tier from France did q roaring trade IN
The same line Of business, thanks 20 its
situation and its vigorous adeertising IN
French newspapers.
It was the unbushing manner OF tout
ing this establishment which first attract
ga the attention Of NJ. Harry. and there
| is reason TO believe that about the Same
time diplomatic repre- cntatons were
made 90 Brussels boy the French Gov
ommeut. whose paternal heart was torn
ar the almost daily sight Of train loads
| of French gamblers en- route 10 that
TDuAv .o'n.s w ,THEsCBMAR'
THEY ALL FLOURlSHED.
In truth. an these cerclcs prives cid
well and the Droprictors were IN iair
vysv TO make a snug fortune when the
Inlependence Beige began its Illustrated
morning sheet. lie Petit Blue. and took
them i'm hand The extent OF their pros
peritv may be gauged by the fact that
The great Monte Carol Company saw It's
receipts fan last season by 3d.
oNOgO or 100000 Of francs through
| this Belgian competition Early IN
the movement an attempt was
made to bring the club at Dinalt 10
book. but the judges ruled that the term
| "In the Public" did not legally apply 10
members OF a club duly entered. and
| thereafter each gambling den carefully
modelled itself upon the Dlnalt pattern.
| but most OF them while complying with
the Belgian law as 10 privacy advertised
| largely I'm France. England and Germany
and even In countries as remote as Rus
sia and Turkey, so that LeOpolds small
kingdom woke one day TO ma itself Ia
boring under an International reputation
! as a handler and safer gambling centre
than the prncipalty OF Monaco. but
| even worse than this was the discovery
| that the gambling owners IN order 10
| facilitate their nefarious operations had
engaged in a Wholesale system OF munic-
inal coruption. The Independence Beige
| has charged many municipal officers and
man Of high political and social standing.