The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-29
FRANCO-R ALLIANCE
Is Now Accepted as an Accomplished
Fact and is YariOuSly Received.
INDIAN TROUBLES CAUSE CRITICISM
or the Most Bitter Kind-lhe Ameer oil
Afghanistsn NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. hrn@
gers Defiance of Great Britain
Treated with Cold Contempt.

LONDON, August 2S.-In political Lon
don at present there is plenty from
France. India and President Kruger each
contributing a sensation through the
week. while the rise in wheat has set
loose an oratorical flow regarding the
agriculture of England. All four topics
promise abundant sequences both mate
rial and political.
The accomplishment OF the Franco
Russian alliance, which some Of the con-
servative newspapers are inclined to deny
expostulating that the Cars words
could be applied TO any friendly nation
is however, accepted by the majority as
an undoubted fact.
This is recognized dellriously 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.
HOW RECEIVED.
France IS delighted for three reasons.
Reasonably or not, the alliance Is ac-
cepted as foreshadowing the retroces-
sion OF Alsace-Lorralne, which France
holds, Russia would be glad 10 assist
Ia as a trouble to Germany.
Secondly. the alliance largely shirt the
control OF Europe back 10 France. Inc
popular opinion OF London which reJolces
al the alliance as being entirely directed
against Germany, is well voiced by the
Saturday Review which says:
The Emperor of Germany has recelVeu
a rebuff which he Will bitterly resent.
There is no doubt the formal alliance OF
France and Russia makes II henceiorlh
Impossible for him 10 be the arbitrator
of the destlnies Of Europe which he as
pires 10 become. The Dual Alliance Is
at least as powerful as the Triple Alliance
was formerly. IL Is no longer Il dream
In France one curious result Of Presi-
dent Faure's visit to Russia has been the
creation OF Prince Louis Napoleon as
new pretender. The French newspapers
are all convinced that there was po-
litical motive in his refusal 10 accept the
Legion OF Honor decoration at the hands
Of President Faure, although the Presl-
dent distinctly stated that his refusal was
based on the fact that he had received
from Napoleon III, while still in his
cradle. the Grand Gordon or that order.
INDIAN TROUBLES.
The Indian troubles have let loose
flood OF criticism, which blameS every
body connected with the Government.
Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, IN yirulent
letter Just published, declares thar a spirit
OF fanaticism has been aroused which
will be most difficult 10 queh, adding:
Every gallant life now lost in the on
slaught OF the Northwestern fanatics IS
a victim Of the reckless vilihcatlon ana
persecution of Turkey, which has been
the British policy since 1893, and when
has ruined the Armenians, Frustrated the
Greeks. oevolutonized Crete, lowered
British prestige, and allenated the MUS
sulmans IN India
Professor Arminius Vambery, the we'll
known authority on all Oriental ques-
tions. partly comedies with this view OF
the situation, though disclaiming that the
Sultan has had any particular hand In the
present troubles, which are Pan-lsamic.
The Saturday Review, while eNculpating
the Sultan, declares that Lord Roberts,
Of Kandahar, is believed by many of the
best informed people TO be at the bottom
Of the affair which is classed as a legacy
OF the Landsdown-Roberts administra-
ton. whose motto was military aggres-
sion.'
In spite OF constant denlals, It Is little
doubted I'm official circles that the Ameer
Of Afghanistan has had a hand in the
present troubles and that his attitude 10
ward Great Britain is unfriendly 1t has
been known for months past that the
Ameer has been ordering enormous guam
titles OF farms and ammunition from
agents in England, and this 50 attracted
notice Of late that his orders were not
executed. In the meanwhile no news
is permitted TO leak out OF CabuL the
capital of Afghanlstan. Every mail Is
closely scrutin7ed and all suspected let
ters are opened.
Sir Sallarpin. the Ameers English right
hand man has been expected in England
on his annual visit for weeks past but
no news has been received regarding his
movements and II is quite possible that
he is detained at Cabul by the Ameer.
PRESIDENT KRUGER.
President Krugers sensational defiance
Of Great Britain IS accepted coldly by
the British amounting 20 nothing and 10
which the transfer Of the British grOtec-
torates from the foreign Office 10 the col
onial office Is a reply. Joseph Chamber
lain. Secretary Of state for the colonies.
has abruptly affirmed the suzerainty Of
Great Britain over the Transvaal and be-
ing determined 20 assert II in no uncertain
fashion.
The fourth Of a series OF college stu
dents organized in lSSS has been I'm ses-
sion for "a week IN Switzerland. Seven
hundred delegations representing all ma
tions are present Among them was
national band Of Anglo-Americans and
Irish-Americans including Or. Zahn, the
Catholic evolutionist OF Indiana; Man
ager O'Connell, president Of the Ameri-
can College at Rome. and five professors
OF the Catholic University at Washington;
Baron Won Huertling, OF Mexico. Scores
OF papers were read and they were all
conspicuous for their frankly modern and
advanced tone.
AT the same time the delegates were
absolutely loyal to the church.