The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-20
A CRITICAL SITUATION
An Explosion Bound to Follow
in West African Affairs.
THE SPANISH REPUBLICS
Spain Seeks an Alliance With the Latin
Countries of South America-Hos-
tile Attitude of France To-
wards the United States
Copyright 1895 by Associated Press.

Copyright 1895 by Associated Press.
London, Feb. 19.-The danger of leay,
ing explosives about in the shape OF
armed bands roaming in disputed
spheres under doubtful officers has
been amply illustrated in West Africa
where the intermingling of French and
British troops has experienced Incl
dents which threaten complications
Happily the positive instructions OF
both governments have thus far been
obeyed and an actual collision has been
ayerted. But the fuse is lighted and
unless France withdraWs from her pro-
| vocatiVe attitude or Great Britain con-
tinues the graceful concession policy
she has hitherto observed towards the
French claims, an explosion is bound
to follow
Some explanation of the attitude of
| France may be found in the desire of
| Its government to turn French minds
| from the inquisition that Zola has pro-
Voked, while 1t must not be forgotten
that the minister for foreign affairs, Nj.
| Hanotaux, bears upon his shoulders
! the burden of elections close at hand
and has to face the threatenings of the
/ colonial party to swamp the govern
! ment If it shows the faintest sign of
/ yielding.
Next week the supplementary esti-
mate of G150.o0o for the West African
| expenses will be presented to the
| house of commons and an interesting
debate may be expected. Probably the
| most vital point is not the possession
OF territory, but the freedom of COM
merce. Where the French have ocen-
pied the Hinterland OF British coast
colonies. the latter have been shut out
from interior trade. In the present in
stance the control OF the Niger and the
free navigation of that great waterway
as an avenue of trade for the world is
at stake.
Another batch of Sc British officers
and on-commissioned officers sailed
to-day for West Africa, accompanied
by immense quantities of war muni-
tions. This critical situation on top of
the numerous pending serious ques-
tlonS, has re-aroused aDprehensions is
to whether tine Marquis of Salisbury is
inclined to unduly sacrifice the interests
of the. empire 4A3sss
The debate on the address in reply to
the speech from the throne has finally
been closed and when the house meets
again on Monoay ii will he to learn the
provisions Of the great measure of the
session, The Irish local government bill.
Inc regular business will then begin
The public is impatient that something
practical should be accomplished TO re-
form and strenssthen the army and the
navy. The army estimates for the cur
rent year issued to-day. total UP to
R20, 100000 ts10l, 900 000), and ought to
satisfy the demands for increased ex-
ntnditure.
There is a curious discussion in the
Spanish press as to the possibility of
eonfederating the Latin republics of
South America with Spain against the
United States. i1l Pals contends that
the Spanish republics are weak through
isolation and that If united in military
and diplomatic alliance would be the
first power in the world in territory. |
the second in population. and that their |
armies and navies would have sufli- |
cient power to ensure respect
The papers point out that the jeai- /
onsies of the republics prevent them /
from takings the initiative. but Spain, |
II Is claimed, ought to urge her law /
diplomats to approach the republics /
with the view Of combining for the de-
Tense OF Latin interests, endangered by T
the intrusion of the Anglo Saxons.
FL Pals thinks Spain's advice would /
not be disregardsh If she warned Latin
America against the United States. add
ing; For it Is well known that the
greedy Yankees once the Panama canal
Is opened To the worlds commerce. will
do all which their perfidy can suggest
% Wrest II from the Latin countries of
Central America, even as England |
seized the Suez canal Tending in this
direction is the desire of the Americans
20 secure Cuba.
In conclusion. FL Pals says. THE ad-
tanees Of the United States in the sea OF
ne Antilles are preliminary steps in the
blockade and occupation of the future
7anal."
Referring to the Latin alliance. the
spectator, in long article, points out
hat there is no doubt of the existence
II special relations between France and
spain. which have lately been strength
ned, and says There are well inform
a people who believe that when. in the
autumn. the United States and Spain al
most collided, the United States found
here was stiffness in the Spanish at
llude which could only be accounted
or by the fact that Spain knew she
ould appeal 10 a power which could
lot neglect her demands for help.t
Inc Saturday Review expresses the
'elief that France allowed the United
'tates to understand indirectly that con-
idefations Of Importance to her would
et allow her 10 see Spain treated in an
nfrsendly manner. aud that a Spanish
ppeal 10 France must result In the lat
er's intervention
The Saturday Review believes this ac-
cunts for the way the United States
hrank from putting in practice the
featment Of Spain suggested in the
rigtnal protests Of the Washington gov
rnment"
The Spectator explains that il France
ad not helped Spain. the latter would
ave applied for admission h the draf
und, with almost certainty OF success
Vice Admiral Alakarnw leaves 81
'etefsburg to-day for England on his
kas 70 America, where he proposes Is
ass some time on board iee-breaking
oats, IN order 70 gather the latest
american wrinkles" for use i'm the
zar's frozen harbors
A confirmation Of Queen Victoria
xcelient state of health is found ,n
ne ofheial announcement that ii II her
la3ests intention Ia personally re-
eve the present Is at thu first draw
lg room Of the season. on Feb IS. sat
rday next +
\ cese which has been heard by Jus !
ce Hawkins is Of interest To football !
layers all over THE world. 4 man was 2
lied az football apd the prisoner uas s
aarSed with mansiaughter ard vas 3