The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-12
Olive Branch
to All
EXCEPT FRANCE.
Chamberlain's Late Speech
Provokes Much Comment.

Copyright, 1898. The Associated Press.)
London, Dec. I-There were two
prominent figures in the political arena
last week. The secretary of state for
the colonies, Joseph Chamberlain, and
the British ambassador at Paris, Sir
Edmund ]. Munson. The address of
the latter to the British Chamber of
Commerce at Paris came like a peal of
thunder, causing dismay on both sides
of the channel where many people had
affected to discern an already faint
outline of a peace rainbow between
France and Great Britain, as a sequel
of the passing over of. the Fashoda
storm.
The first impression was that Sir Ed
mund J. MOnson had received a cue
from the Marquis of Salisbury to give
a candid warning to France that Great
Britain is fully determined not to stand
any further "pin-pricll' nonsense. This
impression still prevails, although it has
been somewhat modified by the ex-
PLANTATION which the ambassador sent
to the French press, and 1t is now
thought Monson got an official tip to
give France warning, but that he
spoke more openly than was intended.
reminder to the people of both countries
that the fire of the Soudan imbroglio
is still smouldering and may burst into
flame before it is finally disposed of.
The ambassadors warning. according
to those qualified to know, was prompt
ed by the fact that the French gov
eminent. sulking over the Marchand
affair, is evading diplomatic discussion
of the pending Anglo French problem
INT rld T1 ir1ef r,1a tn l7aA
with the change of French ambassa-
doris at London, this week, Baron de
Courcel being succeeded by NJ. Paul
Cambon, the Marquis of Salisbury de-
sired a more active treatment of the
points in dispute.
, Sir Edmund J. Monson's manly frank
ness is quite characteristic of the am
bassadoT and won for him the warm
friendship of Car Alexander and En-
peror Francis Joseph, both of whom
asked the British foreign office to send
him to their respective capitals when
he Quilted Copenhagen, where he was
persona grata at the court. He chose
Vienna.
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech on Thurs
DAY. embracing the whole range Of
domestic and foreign politics, aroused
as much interest abroad as at home.
He forecasted the ministerial domestic
legislation of the coming session, and
then held out the olive branch to every
foreign country except France, to
which he administered saiutary eau
ton which has been but little relished
there and which evoked all sorts of
newspaper threats to thwart Great
Britain's projects.
Mr.. Chamberlain spoke 1ukewarmly
on the subject Of old age pensions, once
his pet scheme, and refrained from
promising the bill which had been ex-
pected on the subject. But he prom
ised five measures to assist the work
ing class to acquire their own dwell
ings, promote secondary education, en-
sure the safety and health of workers
in dangerous trades and to develop
municipal life in London and local gov
eminent in Scotland. For private bill
legislation these measures will give the
government the right to pose as a
friend of the Workingmen and claim
their suffrages.
In the passage of Mr.. Chamberlain S
speech, boldly asserting that the gov
eminent has further surprises for the
opposition. some politicians see a, hint
that the government may go to the
country upon the innocuous scheme OF
reform Of the house of lords, which
viii cut the leading plank in the lib
eral platform from under the opposi-
rion's feet.
Mr.. Chamberlain declaration that
an agreement with Russia on Chinese
affairs. is desirable, has made a deer