The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-11-07
France and England May Appeal
to Arms in Africa.
IS A CRITICAL SITUATION
Anelo-Eeyptian Campaign Abandoned
Howl of Disgust Hannis Taylor
Criticised - Employers Will
Win In the East End.
Copyright IM7 by Associated Press


News to-day discusses the Anglo
French relations. and IL wonders how
many times, in recent years. Great
Britain has been on the brink Of war
with France. The same feeling is
known 10 exist among the well In
formed OF both countries. The news
from Lagosek. west coast of Africa,
was To the effect that on Thursday last
the French had evacuated Saki. one
OF the posts In Lagos hinterland. which
had been occupied by their troops in
contravention of the agreement of 1859,
leaving that place as soon as the Brit
| ish force sent there by Governor Me-
Callum appeared, shows how serious
the situation In West Africa has be-
come and demonstrates that a collision
between French aud British troops IN
| this Instance was only aSerted by the
| retirement of the former. and IL further
shows tnat. such a collision may occur
at any time.
Although expected. the definite an
nouncement that the Anglo- Egyptian
campaign up the Nile has been aban-
doned ior the present. has been the
signal for a howl II disgust. similar In
tone To the outburst OF the Morning
Post yesterday. which paper In a spec
cially displayed editorial article on the
subject. denounces the government for
| its ''nesitancy and invertebrateness on
| all great occasions" adding that the
unfortunate losses I'm money and
blood are due 10 procrastination, and
| now. when the hour Is here To viudi-
cate Gordon and In smash the Mahdl.
nothing Is tn he done. but a baneful
hesitation sets in. a moral influenza,
which paralyzes our statesmen"
Similar denunciations have been
heard from the most ardent supporters
Of the ministry. The latter's decision
not To continue the Soudan campaign
is attributed both to lack OF money and
To the impos-ibiiity OF finding British
troops for this service until the Indian
troubles are over. Any suggestion
that the Egyptian troops have already
broken the khalifa's back and are capa-
| bile of reaching khartoum alone. is
frowned down, until II Is beginning To
be- whispered that the Britishers are
agreed 10 let the Egyptians know how
much they are capable OF accomplish
ing alone. In any case, whatever the
reason for storplng the campaign may
be. II seems To be folly 20 walt until
next year TO accomplish what could
now. seemingly. be no readily realised
while the dervishes and other tribes
already rescued from the tyranny 81
the khalifa are ready to help. Indeed
the fact that further complications are
threatening II would seem 10 emphasize
the advisability OF Fastening the recap
ture Of the soudan. There II no doubt
that British supremacy In Central
Africa is seriously harrassed by the
French. whose unmistakable intention
is 10 draw a horizontal line across the
Soudan and cut on communication be-
tween Egypt and the British possess
sions In Central and South Africa. and
the knowledge that Great Britain Is
resting ON her oars will cause them 10
redouble their energies. The Marquis
of Salisbury is urged on all sides to
take spirited action. and IL Is insisted
II funds are lacking. Great Britain
must advance them or even supply the
amount requisite to reach khartoum.
While the ministry is apparently vac
iilating In this direction. II Is showing
no lack of energy In the Lagos affair.
The foreign and colonial officers are
mostly busy at work and are closely
following every detail of the move
ments. A special map is 10 be made
for the secretary OF the colonies. Mr.
Chamberlain, every night, with the
latest news and moves are marked ON
1t with little flags.
The news from Saki show that the
British governors In West Africa are
determined 10 stop any further French
aggression Immediately after the oc-
cupation Of Saki became known AT the
British foreign office. the Marquis of
Salisbury sent a strong dispatch 10 the
French foreign Office saying that II a
conflict occurred the responsibility
would rest with France. and he also
cabled Governor McCallum TO instruct
the officers of the British expedition
sent to that place not to allow any
thing to prevent the reoccupation OF
any British territory trespassed on by
the French or other European forces
To this is probably attributed the hast,
retirement OF the French troops on the
approach OF the British forces.
The statement made yesterday by tn
parliamentary secretary OF the colonia
Office, the Earl OF Selborne. that tn
carrying out of the governments polio!
will have the effect OF opening tn
British Niger company's territories 4
all trade. shows that the government
intends to take over these territories.
The announcement that the hrothe
OF the khedivc OF Egypt, Prince Ma
hommed Ali. is engaged tn be marie,
to an American lady whom he met n
Europe and that in consequence he hai
offered 20 fenounce the succession 4
the khediveate In order To obtain th'
consent of the khediNe, is authorlta
lively denied.
The Spectator to-day repeats its ar
guments Of last week on the subject u
cuba and comes To the conclusion tina
when President Mckinley gives his de
cision Il viii be- for war. Several of tn
English newspapers to-day severed!
criticise the action OF Hannis Taylor
former minister II the United States q
spain, in publishing his views OF tn
Cuban question in an American maga
zine. The Pail Mall Gazette says tina
''he Is getting even With President Me
Klnley. because the latter did not keeI
him al Madrid" Continuing. the Pal
Mall Gazette remarks. mir. Taylo
finds no difficulty in forgetting that AL
the Information he has seen NJ To di
Vuigr WAS obtained in his official ca
pacity aud this was under the seal o
! secrecy
While an early conclusion OF the cn
ginerring disputes Is doubtful the al
has been partially cleared by the dts
claimcr of the intention uf the employ
crs t. break M the unions There ai
also signs that the amendment prl
posed boy the board of trade may lea
to Il meeting between the disputant:
as Whils the leaders are outward
iirn, the men sre showing 4 more con