The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-23
THE SITUATION
IS NOW ACUTE.
France and Great Britain Are Now
on the Brink Of War.
PEACEABLESOlUTl0N HOPED FOR
But the British Newspapers Demand
That the Evacuation of Fashoda
Must Precede Everything Else.
Both Nations Preparing.

Copyright 1893, by the Associated Press.)
LONDON, oct. 22-Never since Great
Britain and France began TO dispute over
Egypt, nor during the most acute stage
Of the Niger differences between those
two countries has the situation looked 50
ominous as to-day. In spite OF the hope
expressed In the sober journals OF botn
countries that The matter would be AMIGA
bly, arranged. II Is a fact that the French
naval and military authorities are max
ing feverish preparations for war, ana
though calm regns at the British dgfp
wards at Portsmouth, Chatham ana Dew
onport. It is only the calm OF prepared
ness and significant orders have been ar
riving there from the Admiralty indicat-
ing the belief that Great Britain ane
France arc on the brink OF war.
ENGLAND EXULTANT.
As NJ. Belikof, the Paris corresDon-
dent of the Times, writes to-day:
Never before has there been witnessed
such an exaltation of public feeling over
a matter OF foreign policy as Is now pre-
valling In Great Britain, or so great an
amount of public feeling over any matter
here. France promptly ana rapidly. WITH
out looking forward or backward is pre-
pared to fight any power provoking her.
The French statesmen, however, SIN
cling to the hope that the Marquis OK
Salisbury will offer some exchange which
will enable them to retire from Fasnoda
without apparent sacrifice OF dignity.
This hone il based on a conversation be-
tween Baron De Courooi the French Am
bassador. and Lord salisbpry which ng-
ures in a most important dispatch IN
yellow book which the French sIyern-
ment will issue tomorrow"
II is learned that Baron DeCouroel IN
this dispatch says Lord Salisbury, dur
ing the conversation referred TO- asked
him what were the desires OF France IN
tho eoudan. 20 which the Baron replied
that France wished for an outlet on the
Timer Nile Lord Salisbury then re-
sponded that he could not promise any
thing and must consult with his co..
leagues on such a matter
FASHODA FIRST.
Frenchmen infer from this attitude OK
tho British Premier that he Is Wiling 10
discuss tho French claims, an1 they
-, talk Of negotiations being In pro-
gress. The English newspapers. now-
sver vigorously combat this impression
ana warn France not to be led away ny
such illusions They declare that tnS
evacuation Of FashOda must pTeceoe
anything else.
The French naval preparations were AT
first declared 10 be mere routine az
rangements. but they are now admltteoiy
directed against Great Britain. NJ. Lock-
roy. tho Minister OF Marine, Is dlspatcn-
ing orders TO all naval stations along the
IL
their condition. The French dockyards
and arsenals are working az full press
ure. hurrideiy preparing warsnips aud
torpedo boats for active service.
ALWAYS READY.
On the British side a feeling OF abso-
lutte self-confdence is displayed. Ever
ready" is the burden Of all the state
ments from naval quarters. In fact ,ne
British navy las practically been on
war footing for a year past, and an au-
lucrative announcement 70 this eject
has come from the secretary to the ad-
miraity. Mr. W. Ellison Mccartney.
A prominent dcck-yard Official In an
interview declared that the circum-
stances OF the present crisis had been
fully provided for I'm the mobilization
scheme. He added that the British naval
authorities had al their ships ready ana
could commission squadron OF CRUISERS
and have them OF the French coast W
less than twenty-four hours.
This Official also pointed out that II was
not for rothing that the British navai
manoeuvres were put or this year. He
added that the British ships al the pres
ent moment have a large supply OF coal
on board available and larger STOCK OK
provisions than ever before.
The British admiralty list to-day SHOWS
nine battleships and eleven fast cruisers
are lying in the Meade. while the British
channel squadron. which was last re-
ported or Vnlagarcia. Spain. consisting
OF eight battleships and five cruisers, con-
stitute the most modern and powerful
homogeneous feet OF warships ai'oat.
THE QUEEN cHAGRINED.
kilograms from Balmoral intimate that
Queen Victoria Is following the trend OF
events with much chasrin. Her aversion
10 war In the declining years OF her
-------------------