The age-herald., 1898-09-03
\ MOMENTOUS DEPARTURE
In EngIand'S Foreign Policy and a
 Natural Development
IN THE EUROPEAN SITUATION
While the Understanding is Restricted, It Embraces an Offensive and Defen- sive Alliance in Certain Eventu-
 alities-Crisis Not Reached.

London, September 2-The Pail Mall Ga- zette this afternoon says it has received from a source in which 1t has every cohfi- dence, information that an Anglo-German agreement was signed this week by MT. Balfour and the German ambassador in behalf of the respective powers
 Continuing, the Pall Mall Gazette says that while the agreement is restricted, it embraces an offensive and defensive alli- ance in certain eventualities.
 The Pail Mall Gazette adds: "This new and momentous departure in our foreign policy comes as a natural development Of the European situation"
 The Pail Mall Gazette then quotes the speech which MT. Chamberlain made oh May 13 last, bidding for a German alliance, and continues: "Latterly 1t has been evi- dent, from the tone of the semi-ohicial German press, that the two governments have been drawing closer, and finally there were prolonged conferences between Count Hatzfeldt and MT. Balfour. The departure of Count Hatzfeldt proves that the object of the consultations has been achieved. Besides, MT Chamberlain has gone to America Lord Salisbury is prolonging his absence and MT. Balfour leaves for his holidays on Saturday. Evidently the min- isters do not expect to deal with crucial questions of foreign policy"
 An Earlier Report
 London, September "A report was cur- rent here today that treaty of alliance between Great Britain and Germany, on the lines of the speech of Chamberlain the secretary of state for the colonies, was actually completed yesterday. This Is probably an amplification of the gossip relative to the daily visits of Count Von Hatzfeldt-W t-Weidenburg, the German am- bassador, to the British foreign office dur ing the past fortnight, which have been attributed to desire upon the part of Germany and Great Britain to formulate a common policy in regard to Russia and China.
 Another explanation of the German Am bassador's visits to the foreign office here is that they relate to mixed tribunals of Egypt, the international agreement on the subject ending February Through French and Russian influence the courts have always hampered the British plans for the use of the Egyptian savings and the advancement of Egypt. Now, it is said, an which Germany will support the British views relative to the future composition and powers of the mixed tribunals.
 AOuid Pro Quo It is said that as quid pro quo for Ger many's support in Egypt, Great Britain will recognize Germanys claims to utilize Syria as an outlet for her surplus popula- tion.
 Syria is division of Asiatic Turkey, which includes Palestine, said to cover an area of about 146.O00 square miles. It has population of about 2,750,000 mostly Mo hammedans, but including about 350,000 Greek Christians, 260,0OO Maronites and Roman Catholics, 175,0OO Jews and 4S,OOO Druses.
 Emperor William of Germany has for some time past been planning trip to Pal- estine, and he is expected to visit Jerusa- lem this fall in order to dedicate the Ger man church there and lay the corner stone of the German school, parsonage and hos pital His majesty has also undertaken to regain for the Roman Catholics the possess sion of the Coenaculum Gin Zion), the Chamber of the Last Supper" and the Sultan of Turkey is said to have intimated his willingness to meet the wish of the em- peror in this matter.
 Copy for Salisbury
 London, September 3-The Daily Mail says this morning: I've learn that Mir Balfour and the German ambassador, Count von Halfieldt. signed on Wednesday a document preliminary to a treaty which