The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-23
shpod that TIE government proposes to
take steps oecessary "a insist upon an
early and dsflnhte statement on the
subject from Ftanoe.
FRANCE Asusr IrvACuATE FAsH0DA
AND AT ONCE.
thine Has Passed for Any Further
Dsliytns Diplomacy ana Only
Actions VIII Count.

1ondon. october 22.-Never since
Great Britain and France began to dis
pute over Egypt, nor during the most
acute stage OF the Niger differences
between those two countries, has the
situation looked so ominous as today.
In spite Of hope expressed. In the sober
journals OF both countries that tho
matter would be amicably arranged, 1T
is fact that the French naval and
military authorities are making fever
tsh preparations for war. and though
calm reigns at the British dock yards
at Portsmouth, Chatham and Devon
port, It Is only tho calm OF prepared
ness, and slgnificau. orders have been
arriving there from the admiralty,
indicating the belief that Great Britain
and France nre on the brink OF war.
AS NJ. De Blowitz, the Paris corre-
spondenr Of tho London Times, writes
today: Never before has there been
witnessed such state of fever as Is
now prevailing In Great Britain, nor
so great an exaltation of public feel-
ing over matter OF foreign policy,
while on her side France is promptly
and rapidly preparing, Without 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
VIII offer some exchange which Will
enable them TO retire from Fashoda
without appay,mat sacrifice OF dignity.
This hope "a based on conversation
between Lord Salisbury and Baron
De Courcel. the French ambassador at
London, which figures in a most i'm
portant dispatch In the yellow book
which the French government viii is
sue tomorrow"
Ut Is learned by the Associated Press
that Baron De Courcel In this dispatch
says Lord Salisbury. during the con-
versation referred 10. asked him what
were the desires OF France In the Sou
dan. To this the baron replied that
France wished for an outlet on the
Upper Nile. Lord Salisbury then re-
sporded that he could not promise any
ching and must consult with his col
leagues ON such n matter 3lln
Frenchmen infer from this attitude
OF the British premier that he Is will
Ing 10 discuss the French claims and
they even talk Of negotiations being
in progress Tho English newspapers
vigorously combat this impression und
warn France not to be led away by
such illusions. They declare that the
evacuation OF Fashoda must preccde
anything else.
The Times today. referring to the
Fashoda question, says: at is not wa
who are trying to humlliate France,
but It is France that seeks to put a
great humiliation upon us. We have
beaten the D1allfa and have effectively
occupied the provinces he usurped. We
are now asked to clear out at the or
ders OF an exploring party of nine
Frenchmen. who owe England for theiI
escape from destruction, or II we are
not kindly permitted to clear out. We
are to pay them for the title we hav,
wrested from the khalifa. We are
there In effective occupation and Their,
we intend to remain
Punch hits off the popular feeling II
this matter In a cartoon representing
John Bull being pestercd by Frencl
organ grinder outside his doorstep
The organ ,s labeled ''F,ashoda." ant
the monkey, in French military uni
form. IS sittng on the organ, scream
Ing and beating q tiny drum. The or
gan grinder asks: what you give IN
70 20 away" John Bull: "I'll Civ,
you something il you don't"
The French navel preparations wer
arrangements. but they are now ad
mittedly directed against Great Bri
tain. THO minister of marine, NJ
Lochroy. Is dispatehing orders to a
Of the naval stations along the coai
ami he Is receiving replies as to the
condition. The Frenoh dock yarls an
arsenals are working at full pressur
hurriedly preparing warships and tol
pedo boats for active service.
On the. British side feeiing OF q,
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