Evening star., 1898-10-21
British Admiralty Stops Repairs on
the Reserve Squadron.
Time LIMIT FORTY EIGHT HOURS
Tone Of London Papers, However
is Less WarIike.
THE MARCHAND REPORT

LONDON, October 21.-A dispatch to the
Exchange Telegraph Company from Ports
| mouth says the British admiralty has issued
orders that no dockyard repairs are to be
commenced upon ships belonging to the re-
serve squadrons unless they can be COM
pleted within forty-eight hours.
The London morning papers have cooled
down to an exceedingly cautious and con-
servative tone in dealing with the Fashoda
question, apparently realizing thai the pub
lie on both sides of the channel is heated TO
the danger point. There is a marked effort
to avoid an offensive tone. The Times says:
Sir Michael Hicks-Beach has zone some
way to persuade our neighbors that We
| really mean what we say. The time has
come when it is absolutely necessary to
dispel French dreams on this subject un-
less very dangerous consequences are to
result, but the chancellor of the excheouer
might have performed the operation more
deXterouSly."
The Daily News, which voices the general
feeling. says The country is determined
to maintain Its rights, but there is no oc-
casion to provoke our opponents or to add
fuel to the controversy"
Trafalgar Victory Celebrated.
Exceptional interest was taken today in
the celebration of the anniversary of the
battle of Trafalgar. fought October u,
1S05, when the British fleets under Admiral
Nelson gained a brilliant. victory over the
f12ets of France and Spain commanded by
Admiral Villeneuve. The cause of this in
c1 1eased outburst of patriotism here Is the
dispute with France over the Fashoda ques-
ton, which in some Quafrars is looked upon
as a matter that may possibly bring about
war between these two tries.
Maj. Marchantfrs Report.
TpIC
report. telegraphed from Cairo was re-
ceived during the night. IT does not men
ton the arrival at Fsshoda of General
Kitchener, and only gives san account OF
the incidents of the expedition, with an
elaborate description ofsthe-route followed
the points occupied, thez1l lanner of occupa-
tion. the raising of thethag. the force left
at each point and the treaties of submis-
sion concluded with the tribes, in addition
10 referring to an, encounter with the
dervishes. 'N. -
The report only goes ss far as the begin
ming of September, and says that on Au-
gust 20 the supplies Aof The party were
abundant The reason for the omission OF
any mention of the arrival of General
Kitchener at Fashoda is said TO be the fact
that the report of Major; Marchand was
not ready when Captain Baratier left
Fashoda. When the captain started from
that place ne did not think he would go
ever, deemed it advisable to send the fin
ished portion of the report, intending to
dispatch the remainder Of it as soon as
Capt. Barratler returned. But the captain
on arriving at OmdurTnan found there in
structions telling him to go on to Cairo
from which place he will proceed to
France.
Baratier Carries Verbal Message.
1t is believed in certain quarters that
Captain Baratier is the bearer of verbal
report which the French authorities were
not willing to trust upon the British tele-
graph lines.
Captain Baratier on his arrival at Cairo
with the report for ,the French govern
ment said the mission had not lost an OFF,
Ger a soldier He added that the health
of all the members of ths party was very
good and that revictualiying on the march
easy The drift of opinion on the
Fashoda question among commercial men
in Paris was shown by resolution adopt
ed by the municipal council of this city,
urging the French government without
sacrificing the material Interests or the
country, to use it's utmost efforts to avert
a conflict with Great Britain over this dis
pute.