Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-07
IS GREAT BRITAIN on THE BRINK
OF WAR WITH FRANCES.
BOTH NATIONS APPREHENSIvE
STU ALTON IN WEST AFRICA GROW
ING MORE SERIOUS.
No Doubt That British Supremacy Is
Seriously Thrcntened-AbandO
ment of the Nile Campaign
Raises n Howl of Dis
gust in London.

London. Nov 6.-Copyrighted. 1897 by
the Associated Press) .'On the Brink IS
the caption under which the Daily News
to-day editorialy discusses the Anglo
French relations. and wonders how many
times in recent years Great Britain HAS
been on the brink of war with France.
The same feeling is known to exist among
the well informed of both countries Inc
news from Lagos. West coast of Africa. Oh
Thursday last. that the French had eNac
uated Saki ore of the posts in the Lagos
Itir,er,.nd which had been occupied by
their troops in contravcntiUn of the agree
rent of 1889 leaving that place 90 soca
as the British force sent there by H"Eeri1"r
McCulum appeared. shows how serious 'he
situation in. West Africa has been ana
demonstrates that collision p"t"eeh
French and British troops in TINS instance
was only averted by the retirement OF tue
former and il further shows that s"ei
collision may occur any day.
Although expected. the definite announce
mant that the Anglo Egyptian campaign
up the Nile has been abandoned LOT 'he
present has been the signal Tor II now y.
disgust similar in tone I" the outpurs' oi
the Morning Post yesterday, Whlch paper
in a specially displayed editorial artlc'e Oh
the subject denounced the government ~,
its hesitancy and invertebrateness on an
tunate losses in money and blood are que
IN nrocrastination and now, when the hour
10 rine 10 yindicate Gordon and TO Smash
tho ruahdi nothing is to be done. put d
ben.ful hesitation sets i'll. moral hiliu-
ence, which paralyZes our statesmen.
similar denunciations have been heard
.ye,, from the most ardent supporters OF
the ministry. The latter's decision hot ~
continue the Soudan campaign is atulD-
uteJ both to lack of money ana 10 '"e iIi'-
possibility of finding British troops for
this service until the Indian troupi.s are
over Any suggestion that the Egyptian
tr,ops have already broken the khaiita 5
back and are capable of reaching hhar-
tour alone is frowned down until it Is be-
ginning to be whispered that the British
ers are agreed not to let the EeSp,iahs
know how much they are capable OF ac-
ccmrlishing alone. In any case. Whatever
1.-THE reason for stopping the campaign may
be ii seems to be folly, bordering on mao
ness, to wait until next year TO accom-
plisn what could now, seemingly, De Sd
readily realized while the DerVlShes ara
other tribes already rescued from the tyr
amy of the khalifa are ready to help. In
deco. the fact that further complications
are threatened would seem TO emphasize
the advisahility of Fastening the recapture
OF the Soudan.
There is no doubt that British supremacy
in Central Africa Is seriously threatened
by the French, whose unmistakable lntet-
ton is to draw a horizontal line across the
Sc udan and cut off direct communication
between Egypt and the British possessions
in the center and south of Africa, ana the
Knowledge that Great Britain is resting on
her oars will cause them to redouble their
erergies The Marquis of Salisbury is
n
and it is insisted that if funds are lacking
Great Britain must advance them or even
supply the amount requisite TO reach MAR
While the ministry is apparently yacilla-
| ting in this direction. it is showing no
| lack of energy in the dispute with the
! The foreign and colonial offices are most
| busily at work. and are closely following
| every detail of the movements made. a
| special map is sent to the secretary Tor
| the colonies. Mr.. Chamberlain. every night;
with the latest news and moves marked
| on 1t with little flags.
| that the British governors in West Africa
| are determined to stop any further French
aggression.
Immediately after the occupation of Saki
| became known at the British foreign office.
| the Marquis of Salisbury sent a strongly
worded dispatch to the French foreign
office saving that. If conflict occurred
| the responsibility would rest with France
and he also cahled Governor McCullum
| to instruct the ofncerS OF the hrltisn eApe-
| dition sent to that place not to allow any
| thing to prevent the re-occupation of any
| British territories thus passed on by the
! French or other European forces. To this
| is probably attributable the hasty re-
| tirement Of the French troops on the ap-
| proach of the British forces
| statement made out Yesterday by. the
parliamentary secretary of the colonial Of
| fee the Earl of Selborne. that the carry
| in. out of the governments policy will
| have the effect of opening the British Niger
| companys territories to all trades; shows
| that the government intends to take over