The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1898-10-29
ON EVE OF CONFLICT.
ABLOODY EUROPEAN WAR QUITE POS
SIBLE.
France and England Hastily Preparing
for the Worst. Activity In the Navy
Yards and AIRS -Ominous Outcome
of the Fashota Affair.

LoNDoN.-Never since Great Brit
ain and France began to dispute over
Egypt, during the most acute stages
of the Niger differences between those
two countries, has the situation look
ed so ominous as now. In spite of
the hope expressed in the sober journ-
ais of both countries that the matter
would be amicably arranged, it is
fact that the French naval and mill
tary authorities are making feverish
preparations for war, and though calm
reigns at the British dock yards at
Portsmouth, Chatham and Davenport,
it is only the calm CT preparedness,
and significant orders have been ar
irving there from the admiralty, indi-
eating the belief that Great Britain
and France are on the brink Of war.
As Mr.. De Blowitz, the Paris corre-
spondent of the London Times, writes:
"Never before has there been wit
messed such state Of fever as is now
prevailing over matter Of foreign
policy, while on her side France is
promptly and rapidly looking forward
or backward, prepared to fight any
power provoking her. The French
statesmen, however, still cling to the
hope that the Marquis of Salisbury
will offer some exchange which will
enable them to retire from Fashoda
without apparent sacrifice of dignity"
This hope is based on converse
ton between Lord Salisbury and
Baron de Courcel, (the French am
bassador at London) which figures in
q most important dispatch in the yell
low book, which the French govern
ment issued Sunday.
1t is learned by the Associated
Press that Baron Courcel in this dis
patch says Lord Salisbury, during the
conversation referred to, asked him
what were tie desires of France in the
Soudan. To this. the baron replied
that France wished for an outlet on
the upper Nile. Lord Salisbury then
responded chat he oould not promise
anything and must consult his col
leagues on such matter.
Jlrenchmen infer from this attitude
Of the British premier that he is will
ling to discuss the French claims, and
they even talk of negotiations being
in progress. The English newspapers
vigorously combat this impression, and
warns France not to be led away by
such illusions. They declare that the
evacuation Of Fashoda must precede
anything else.
The French naval preparations were
at first declared to be mere routine ar
raogements, but they are now ad-
n teddy directed against Great Brit
all. The minister Of marine, M. Lock
roy, is dispatching orders to all the
naval stations along the coast, and he
is receiving reports as to their condi-
ton. The French dock yards and az
senals are working at full pressure,
hurriedly preparing warships and tor
pedo boats for active service.
A prominent dock-yard official, in
an interview, declared that the cir
cumstances Of the present crisis have
been fully provided for in the mobili-
cation scheme.
He added that the British naval au-
thorities had all their ships ready and
could commission squadron of cruis-
ers and have them off the French
coast in less than twenty-fcur hours.
This official also points out that it was
not for nothing that the British naval
maneuues were put off this year. He
added that the British ships at the
present moment have larger supply
of coal on board and available larger
stock of provisions than ever known
before.
The British admiralty list shows
that nine British hattleships and eleven
armored cruisers are lying in the
Mediterranean, while the British
squadron, which was last reported off
Villa Garcia, Spain consisting of eight
battleships and five cruisers, consti-
tutes the most modern and powerful
homogeneous fleet Of warships aAoat.
kilograms from Balmoral intimates
that Queen Victoria is following the
trend of events with such chagrin.
Her aversion to war in the declining
years of her reign is we'll known, and
is an appreciable factor in the situa-
ton.
Preacher and Merchant Fight.
PREscorr, ARK.-James T. Brooke,