St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-13
MOMENTOUS TIMES,
Questions of Vast Importance Set
tied by the Cabinet.

tied by the Cabinet.
NEW YORK, Jan. PA World special
from London says: Nothing is SC strictly
guarded in England the proceedings of a
cabinet meeting. Nothing would be so
criminal as leak concerning its action; all
the power of the government would be ex-
erted to unmask the traitor. Any revelation
of what occurred at the meeting of the cab
met, until the ministers ready to confide
the information to the public, is practically
impossible. 1t is certainly one of the most
momentous meetings in the country's his
tory, for the government must doubtless have
decided England's course in the present I'M
paralleled situation Of a hostile union of every
country in Europe against the British en-
pire. Until the other day the country seemed
secure in the general understanding that En-
gland was silent partner in the terrible al
lance. The kaiser's insulting declaration of
hostility has shattered all that at a blow.
England cannot fight single-handed against
Europe and Russia in Asia, to say nothing of
a possible war with the United States. Will
she, therefore, make overtures to Russia,
with the Franco-Russian alliance thrown in ?
1t is amazing the almost fever for that coali-
ton which prevails in London, and apparently
throughout the empire, since the publication
of the kaiSer's telegram.
The Times gave the first threat of it in it's
first days comments on the kaisers message
to President Kruger, of the Transvaal. The
erals and subalterns in the clubs, members
of parliament ana others of influence, who a
fortnight ago would have nothing but war
if Russia sought Port Arthur, now proclaim
that Russia shall have Constantinople, CT, if
it pleases her better, such seaports as she
may ask for in the Persian Gulf. Aid to
France in recovering Alsace and Lorraine is
publicly advocated The complete and in
slant revolution in the sentiment of a CEN
tury's growth is startling, and, of course, mo
mentously significant.
If the story of the kaiser's paciicatory let
ter to the queen is true, we may consider
that, confronted with England's readiness for
war, her immediate preparations, and the GER
tain direful consequences to Germany the
kaiser has thought better of his first angry
impulse and is asking that bygones be by
cones. But he is not likely to come to Cowes
next autumn. If he and his grandmother
meet, as now arranged, at the Coburg wedding
in April, there may be another of the royal
family lectures for which her majesty is ia
nous.
Meanwhile the American controversy is
hardly spoken Of here, except for purely aca-
dem1c discussion OF permanent court of
arbitration between the two countries. This
discussion is merely academic; first, because
such a project seems impossible; and sec
ond, because 1t has it's origin and growth
almost entirely in the Liberal ranks and
Lord Salisbury will give little heed to sug-
gestions or inspirations from that quarter.
His surrender to arbitration will come only
from pressure of serious danger nearer home
The cabinet meeting could hardly consider
the Venezuela question, since the presidents
message is not yet formally before the gov
eminent