The record-union., 1896-10-11
Over the Weeks Events Attendant Upon
the Cars Reception In France.
Moro Talk Of q New Alliance Being
Formed
Between England, France and Russia,
Regarding the Eastern Question
The Venezuelan Boundary Dispute
Likely to be the Important Subject
Taken Up When Parliament Con-
veneS.
venes.

in Paris attendant upon the reception
Of the Gar have created a deep impress
sion in England, where there is al in
creaSing desire for an agreement with
France and Russia regarding the East
ern question. During his visit the Gear
has personally enhanced his reputation.
He says little, but that little is very
sensible. All his speeches have been de-
livered with quiet confidence that be-
tokens that he fully appreciates the
tremendous power he wields, While at
the same time his remarks confirm the
belief that this power will be welded
for the maintenance Of peace.
With regard to an English, French
and Russian agreement, it can be said
that this is now looked upon as the only
practical means for England to escape
her impotence in face of the so-called
concert of Europe on the Eastern ques-
ton. In view of this, the succession of
growls from Berlin upon the Egyptian
question, generally taking the form of
st Unofficial hints that France and
Russia intend to make early trouble for
England in regard to Egypt, and that
Germany will look with a benevolent
eye upon the process, is regarded here
as merely a display of spite.
THE EGYPTIAN QUESTION.
The belief is that France and Eng
land. with the assistance of Russia, are
nearing rapprochement respecting the
Egyptian difficulty, and that, while
France is preparing to frankly recog-
niZp the Rrifich Che
obtain substantial compensation else
where. 1t is worth nothing at present
that the German press is beginning to
point out, In view of the Importance Of
Germany's colonies and commercial in
terests, that the unconditional neutral
ity OF the SueZ Canal is to her a matter
of the utmost Importance, and that il
the neutrality of the canal were guar
anteed by the powers Germany might
not object to the Sultan's territorial
suzerainty over Egypt passing into
other hands.
Lord Salisbury himself proposed the
convention Of 1887, securing the neu-
tralization of Egypt, but the present
Sultan, after much delay, refused to
sign. AS that arrangement would have
left the suzerainty of the Sultan, there
is not the remotest chance of it's being
revived and ratified in view Of the state
OF his other dominions. The only
clauses that may be heard of again are
that the Egyptian territory should be
neutralized under the guarantee Of the
great powers; that the guaranteeing
powers should retain the right of trans
porting troops through the Khedive's
territory either by land or the Suez
Canal; that England should exercise
the right of appointing the majority of
officers in the Egyptian army and should
retain the right of reoccupying the
country in case necessity arose.
THE BRITISH LIBERALS.
Thomas Wemyss Reid, editor of the
Speaker" the Liberal organ, says in
an article in the paper that the position
OF Liberalism is graver now than it has
been in a generation. He extols Lord
Rosebery's honorable conduct and con-
cludes by declaring that Sir William
Vernon Harcourt's chances Of leading
united Liberal party are absolutely
nil, adding that some startling displays
OF antipathy for him have already come
fIOm unexpected quarters.
There is a possibility that the Ma
tional Liberal Club, which has been the
headquarters of progressive politicians
for ten years. may be without a home.
The club was started as a company be-
fore the Liberal split and many of the
largest shareholders are now Liberal
Unionists, including the Duke of West
minister, Lord James Of Hereford and
Mr.. Chamberlain. After this lapse of
years 1t seems that some of these gen
tlemen refuse to continue to invest
money in cause which they entirely
disapprove. Besides they have found
their strongest denouncers in the mem
bers Of the club. The Liberals are in a
majority on the directorate of which
Herbert Gladstone is member.
VENEZUELA DIFFICULTY.
Unless a definite settlement should be
vi expectedly reached before the assem-
bling Of Parliament, the debate on the
Venezuelan question, which it was at
tempted to initiate last session, is like
ly to take place during the first week or
two after the House meets. 1t was
owing to an intimation given privately
by the Government to the leaders of the
opposition and afterward to the House
that the debate did not take place be-
fore Parliament rose. The eternal Ar
.euldIl ulIIlCulCy IDuSt lneV1IaDIY be-
come the subject Of early discussion in
the Commons.
1t is yet early to look forward to the
9th of November, but political circles
are nevertheless speculatng upon pros
pective ministerial utterances at the
historical Lord Mayors banquet, which
takes place annually on that date in the
Guild Hall, and to which, in accordance
with time honored customs, her majes-
tvs Ministers will be invited. The oc-
casion is further taken advantage Of by
the Prime Minister of the day to make
political announcements Of momentous
Importance, and it is assured, if events
dc not forestall him, Lord Salisbury will
have something notable to say in ref
erence to foreign affairs at the coming
feast.
According to present arrangements,
the first of the autumn Cabinet councils
VII meet in the middle of October, and
Ministers who have been abroad for
their holidays have already returned in
readiness to attend.
MOTOR OMNIBUSES
The London Road Car Company,