Omaha daily bee., 1897-10-10
LITTLE SHY ON SOLDIERS
Great Britain Hustles for Troops for Its
Numerous Small Wars.s
AT ITS WITS END TO FIND MEN ENOUGH
Ten Thousand Needed to Add Perma.
nent Force OF fArmy-Noluntccrs
May Yet BE Sent
Abroad.

Copyright, 1897, by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Oct. 9.-Lord Woalsey, COM
mander in chief of the British forces Is
making desperate efforts to surmount the
difficulties which Great Britain is experience
ing in finding troops for its numerous small
wars. That the government is at it's wit S
end to secure the additional 10000 men which
Parliament will be asked to add to the per-
manent strength Of the army, is shown by
the plan elaborated by the war Office by
which the volunteers of Great Britain will
be liable for service abroad in case of war
Up to the present it has been impossible to
call upon them for duty abroad, except in
exceptional cases. The position Is regarded
as threatening to smash up the volunteer
forces. In addition to the proposition to
make the volunteers liable for service abroad
in case Of war the government will introduce
an army reserve bill during the next ses-
sion of Parliament. According to this meas
ur. it is proposed to enlist 900 reserves at
ar extra rate of pay, thus forming reliable
force which can be drawn upon at any time
for use in the small wars
AN INTERNAL BULLET.
The British government is also consider
ing the adoption of an internal bullet in
of lead and instead OF being conical, the ton
Is level and has cuplike cavity On enter
ing the flesh this bullet acts like a punch,
cutting clean, round hole, which does not
close. The bullet begins to expand immedi-
ately after entering and after it has trav-
eled six inches it produces a Jagged hole
three or four inches in diameter. The bullet
is said to be the most terrible wound pro-
ducer known, and it is a question whether
its use would not be breach of the inter-
national convention.
In spite of the French ballons D'essaie
suggesting a European coalition to turn
Great Britain out of Egypt the evacuation
OF that country by the British troops was
probably never so remote as now. Indeed,
the signs point to the deposition of the
khedive of Egypt, whose attitude lately has
not been so submissive as the British agent
Lord Cromer, desires, in which event a
British protectorate will inevitably follow.
Russia, 1t Is said, has effectually snubbed
the French efforts to make the Egyptian
question European one
WEST AFRICAN DIFFICULTIES.
The difficulties in West Africa, between
the British and the French, which were
which have been brewing since 1889 are
assuming the form of the French expedition
consisting of 800 soldiers and 1000 car
riers, which has started from Porto Novo, on
the coast of Dahomey, for Millki, whence 1t
proceeds to the Hinterland of Lagos, accord
Ing to reports. But 1t is said this move
ment is really to reinforce the French
troops, which are already occupying Millki
and does not augur well for a smooth settle
ment OF the question OF the ownership OF
Millki and it Is possible that the diplomatists
will awake to find themselves saved the
trouble of the delmltation negotiations by
serious events on the spot for II is known
that the British colonial authorities are
taking active steps TO prevent the French
force from encroaching on British territory
Further trouble may be added to the situa-
tion by the fact that the French officials
are said to have pressed natives OF Lagos
and their canoes into the service OF the
expedition. AS Lagos is British colony,
this action on the part of the French is not
likely to pass without strong protests at
least.
BRITAIN ON THE ALERT
Thus far the marquis of Salisbury, or Mr..
Chamberlain, the secretary of state for the
colonies. who are generally credited with be-
ing the power behind the throne at the pres
ent moment, have not shown sign of yield
ing an iota OF the British claims In the Hin
terland and the authorities at Lagos have
been preparing for some time past to circum-
vent the French plans They have already
sent reinfOreements OF troops and gunboats
to the front and on Friday they ordered
Captain Frederick Lumart. q thoroughly ex-