The herald., 1897-08-29
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FRANCO RUSSIAN ALLIANCE
AS AN UNDoUBTED
FACT
Indian Troubles Let Loose a Flood
Of Bitter Criticism Of the
Government
Associated Press Special Wire.


LONDON, Aug. 2s.-(Copyright, 1879
In political circles at present there is
plenty of talk about France, India and
President Kruger, each contributing
sensation through the week, while the
rise in wheat has set loose an oratorical
food regarding the agriculture of Eng
land. All four topics promise abundant
sequences, both material and political.
THE NEW ALLIANCE
The accomplishment Of the Franco
Russian alliance, which some Of the
Conservative newspapers are inclined
to deny, and expostulating that the
czar's words could be applied to any
friendly nation, is, however, accepted
by the majority as an undoubted TACT.
This is recognized deliriously in France,
sneeringly in Austria, uncomfortably IN
Germany and here in London they are
slowly awakening to the underlying
meaning of the alliance, as it Is under
stood on the continent.
France is delighted for three reasons
Rea asonbly or unreasonably. the alliance
is accepted as foreshadowing the retro
cession of Alsace-Lorraine, which.
France holds, Russia would be glad to
assist in. as a snub to Germany. Sec
ondly, the alliance upsets Germany's de- .
sire to bring about united, continental
action against Great Britain. Thirdly.
the alliance largely shifts the control OF
Europe back to France.
INDIAN TROUBLES
The Indian troubles have let loose q
flood of criticism, which blames every
body connected with the government.
Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, in a violent
letter just published, declares that a
spirit Of fanaticism has been aroused
which will be most difficult to Quell, add
ing: Every gallant life now lost in the
onslaught of the northwestern fanatics
is victim Of the reckless villif1catior
and persecution Of Turkey, which has
been the British policy since 1893, and
which has ruined Armenians, Frustrated
| the Greeks, revolutionized Crete, low
cred British prestige and alienated the
Mussulmans in India"
Prof. Armin Van Brick, the we'll known
authority on Oriental questions, par
TALLY comedies with this view of the
situation, although disclaiming that the
sultan has had particular hand in the
present troubles, which are pan -Islamic.
In spite of constant denials, 1t is little
doubted in official circles that the ameer
of Afghanistan has had a hand in the
present troubles, and that his attitude
toward Great Britain has been unfriend-
y. 1t has been known for months past
that the ameer has been ordering enor-
nous quantities of supplies and ammu-
milton from agents in England and this
so attracted notice of late that his or
ders were not executed.
In the meanwhile no news is permitted
to leak out of Cabul, the capital of AZ
ghanistan. Every mail is closely scru-
tinized and all suspected letters are
opened.
Senor Salter Pyne, the ameer's right
hand man, has been expected in Eng
land on his yearly visit for weeks past,
but no news has been received regarding
his movements, and it is quite possible
that he is detained at Cabul by the
ameer.
KRUGER'S DEFIANCE
President Kruger's sensational def
ance Of Great Britain is accepted coldly
by the British as meaning nothing, and
to which the transfer of the British pro-
tectorates from the foreign office is a
reply Joseph Chamberlain, secretary
of state for the colonies, has absolutely
affirmed the suzerainty of Great Britain
over the Transvaal and it determined to
assert it in no uncertain fashion.
The Saturday Review utters a dissent
ing cry, declaring that the convention
of 1884 was expressly framed to define
the complete independence of the Beers.
MILBURN's LECTURE
Rev. w. H. Milburn, chaplain of the
United States Senate, delivered lecture
at Aberystwith Wales, on Monday last,
in which he contrasted, the "aristocratic
hesitancy" of the English public speak
er with the "spreadeagle, bunkum ora
tory of the American politician. The
Globe thereupon says: This is just the
kind of thing we wish our American
friends not to say. 1t may be true, and
Mr.. Tsyard said something like it; but
we ant our American friends to have in
fuence on the other side, and if they say
these things they may lose it altogether"
MINOR MATTERS
Senator Cullom of Illinois, Mrs. Gull
lom and their daughter Mrs. Ridgley,
and Senator Gray of Delaware, and the
alters family have been travelling in
this month. The Grays sail for /
home on Tuesday next. The Culloms
have gone to the continent. Both Sena-
tors declare there is surprising lack of
interest in American questions in Great
Britain except in the case of the tariff
Senator Cullom said: There appears
to be great rejoicing among the British
over the prospect that the tariff bill may
not yield sufficient revenue to support
he government. They do not realize that
he law has not been in effect long enough
for judgment to be based on it's effect
veness as revenue producer.
II have heard no opposition to the an
nexation of Hawaii expressed by the
British, for they realize that American
there are paramount; but there
Is general jealousy because the United
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