, 1898-10-25
NAVY IS MASS|NG
BRITISH ACTIVITY IS DUE TO
STRAINED RELATIONS WITH
FRANCE.
Authorizes at Toulon Notified Of Naval
and Military OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Blue Book Shows That Salisbury
Is Acting in Accord With High
Officials of Egypt.

Victoria, B. c., Oct. 24.-The prepar-
atoms at Esquimault, the naval depot
of the Northern Pacific squadron, con-
tinue undated.
An air of activity ~prevades all depart
ments. The Amphion, which it was
understood would not go into dry dock
until after another steamer, already
booked. had been dealt with, received
instructions today from the admiral
of the fleet to begin the necessary work
Immediately, and she entered the dry
dock. The officers do not deny that the
preparations now going on are due to
the strained relations of France and
England.
Halifax. N. s., Oct. 24.-The COM
manders of all warships of the British
North American squadron have re-
ceived orders t. mobilize at Halifax.
London, Dot. 24.-The British admir-
atty issued a number Of significant or
ders this morning. The dock yards at
Portsmouth, Davenport and Chatham
have each received instructions to pre-
pare six thirty-knot torpedo boat de-
%stroyers for commissioning so that they
will be able to put to sea in twenty
four hours.
Overtime hours have begun on the
first class cruisers Europa and An
dromeda. so as to hurry them for sea
service. Several gunboats in the diff
ferent dock yards have been ordered to
postpone unnecessary fitting.
Liverpool. Oct, 24.-High rates are
being demanded for cargoes to French
ports, and some ship owners have re-
fused such cargoes. The average in
crease is Sd to % Cd per ton on the
net register. 1t is reported that several
large vessels have been engaged on
French account to load grain at Ameri-
can ports.
Paris, Oct. 24.-The municipal au-
thorities Of Toulon have been notified
that that place will be the center OF Inn
portant naval and military preparation
and have been instructed to arrange for
the immediate reception of four bat
talions of infantry. 1900 marines and
600 a~rtillerymen. The municipal coun-
Gil has decided to close the schools, and
the s~choolhouses will be used for lodg-
ing the troops. The naval authorities
have been ordered to expedite the prep
arations for the Quitting of the new
squadron.
London. Oct. 24.-The British gov
eminent will issue another blue book
tonight, the most important feature OF
which will be a dispatch dated Oct. IL,
from the Marquis Of Salisbury to the
ambassador at Paris. Sir Edmund Mon
son, reporting the previous interview
with Baron de. Courcel, in which the
latter wished to ascertain what solu-
ton of the question was possible. In
this dispatch the Marquis Of Salisbury
says:
81 gently insisted that the Nile valley
q pOiohSSu anu DILL UctOH8ou u
Egypt, and that whatever diminution
that title had suffered by the mahdi's
conquest, had been removed by the VIC
tory of Omdurman."
The Marquis Of Salisbury then point
ed out the helplessness of Major
Marchand's position, which Baron de
Courcel denied, and finally the British
premier, in response to Baron de Cour-
cells suggestion. offered to supply Ma
jor Marchand with food and ammuni-
tion in order that he might be able to
reach French territory.
Baron de Courcel then said France
wanted an outlet to the Nile and the
Marquis of Salisbury requested that the
whole proposition be made in writing.
This was the last interview between
the ambassador and the premier on this
subject. Baron de Courcel then went
to Paris, and 1t is thought that the
proposition which he brings tonight
embodies the points Indicated in this
conversation.
The Salisbury dispatch In conclusion,
said:
THE extreme Indebtedness Of Baron
de Courcel's proposition made It impos-
sible for me to express or form an opin-
Ion relative to the territory claimed
by France dn the Bahr-El-Ghaze re-
gion. Under the circumstances the dis
cussaon has been fruitful Of misappre-
%hension. I informed him that It was
In no way my duty to discuss the
French claims now. but that h abb
staining therefrom I must MOI be un-
derstood as IN any degree Admitting
their validity"
Tho blue book also contains interest
Ing letters from -Mustapha, the regent
|of NsypA 10 General Kitcheuer and
Lord Crotner. the British diplomatic
agent, respectively, showing ngypt;s
attitude. He wrote 70 Geaeral Kiteh-
ener. warmly thaaking Mn for taking
possession OF FsaAodA and thersby. ~
eonquertng nor nsypt Ne psovtaces
which assured ~ ssxistencs and Aon
whtch - oaiyg rstiesd, Drovissoaaliy.
The nGsat. IN. wetttag - Ipsa cro-
ssos''sse sssas't - ntAsas,s