Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-23
SITUATION OMNIBUS,
Ang|o-FIench Quarrel Looks Very
Much Like Fight
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR;
They Are Going on FeYeriShIy at French
DOCk-YardS and AFSenalS.
GREAT BRITAIN Is READY.
I'm Fact. the British Navy Has
Practically Keen on War
| Footing for Year Pnst-hs
Enormous strength.
GREAT BRITAIN Is READY.
Copyright, 1895. by the Associated Press)
Enormous strength.

Copyright, 1895 by the Associated Press) |
LONDON. October 22.-Never since
Great Britain and France began to dis
pute over Egypt, nor during the most
acute stage OF the Niger differences be-
tween the two countries, has the situa-
ton looked so ominous as to-day In
spite Of the hope expressed in the sober
journals Of both countries that the mat
ter will be amcably arranged, IT IS fact
that the French naval and military au-
thorities are making feverish preparations
for war. and though calm reigns at the
British dock-yards at Portsmouth Chat-
ham. and Devonport. It is only the calm
Of preparedness, and significant orders
have been arriving there from the Adj
miraIty. Indicating a belief that Great
Britain and France are on the brink OF
war.
NJ. De Blowtz. the Paris correspondent
Of the Times. writes to-day:
France. promptly and rapidly. without
looking forward or backward. Is prepared
TO fight any Power provoking her. The
French statesmen. however still cling 10
the hope that the Marquis Of Salisbury
will offer some exchange which will en-
able them 70 retire from Fashoda with
ont auparent sacrifice of dignity. This
hone is based on a conversation between
Raron De Courcel. the French Ambas-
sodor and Lord Salisbury, which figures
I'm most important dispatch in the vel
low-boolo, which the French Government
will issue tomorrow
VAIN FRENCH HOPES.
Il ls learned that Baron De Courcel, In
this dispatch. says Lord Salisbury, during
! the conversation referred 10, asked him
what were the desires Of France in the
soudan. To which the Baron replied that
France wished for an outlet on the Upper
Nile. Lord Salisbury then responded ;ha'
ne could not promise anything, and must
| consult with his colleagues on such -
matter Frcnchmen infer from this dtti-
tude Of the British Premier's that he is
willing 10 discuss the French claims. and
.bev even talk of negotiations being III
progress. The English newspapers, now
ever vigorously combat this impr Ssioh
and warn France not 20 be- led away 10y
such illusions. They declare that lh'
evacuation Of Fashoda must preceJe cnS
thing else.
The French naval preparations were a
first declared 10 Doe mere routine arrange
ments. but they are now admittedly ui
rected against Great Britain NJ. 10
row. the Minister Of Marine rs dispatch
ng orders to all naval stations along ln'
cogst and is receiving reports as TO thcl
condition. The French dock-yards enc
arsenaIs are working at fun pressure
hurriedly preparing warships ana loIpe""
| boats for active service
BRITAIN READY.
On the British side a feeling Of abso
Into seIf-confdence is displayed. Every
thing ready" IS the burden Of all I'M
statements from naval quarters. In fact
the British navy has practically peen o
a war footing for year past, and an au
, .boritatfye announcement TO this eHec
, has come from the Secretary 20 the IA
miraItv Mr.. W Ellison Mccartney.
\ prominent dock-yard official in an IN
| terviaw declared that the circumstance
of thu present crisis had been fully IIo
, vidad for i'm the mobilization scheme. II
added that the British naval authorize
had all their ships ready, and could com
mission a squadron Of cruisers and nav
them off the French coast IN less ina
twenty-f0ur hours.
This official also pointed out that II va
not FOR nothing that the British ndvi
,,n,oauvres were put off this year II
added that the British ships at the pre-
| ont moment have a large supply OF COZ
y an hoard available, and a larger stock
! provisious than ever before. Inc Brlu-
admiralty list to-day shows nine Dalt,'
| sbips and eleven fast cruisers lying III 'i
Mediterranean, while the BRUSH CN,'i'i.
.ouadron. which was last reported
[ vinagarcia Spain, consisting II eight ba
tIeships and five cruisers, constitutes u
e most modern and powerful homogeneo'
: feet Of warshps ahoat
OTrEEN VICTORIA CHAGRlNED.
~ TeIegrams from Balmoral intimate Tx
Queen Victoria h. following the U-nd
: tents with much chagrln. Ter 1Veisl'
"A Ia war in the declining years or htt ieis
!. il well known. and is an app@eclable Ia
r. tor I'm the situation
The Austrian and German heWSp"pe
= aie closely following the dispdie ielNe'
t. Great Britain ana t.au-@' 1i' W.
= M, eNpress the hope that II VIII not ~
- var. the general feeling Is ;hat q
a F4nch position is untenable, ana IN
" crsat Britain is entitled 10 reap the irui
I
: OF victory -. g., bo,
The Brisson ministry appears 10 ma
1ra foot i'm the grave, and us prospects
lasting long beyond the opening Oh ia
ii.ment are very dubious. The Fr"n'
premier is attacked on all sides and
,,.,s thought he would try 10 secure Il
s,,nnort OF the Moderates 10 carry 81
,br6ugh the session. but his - OF NJ
= arafects issued this week, shows IN
d Moderate officials have mostly been 7
@ nioced by Radicals. This has eXa pefa
@ - NIoderates who declare that the M
o istrv has thereby signed its own dea1
" warrant. .,.r.
e CHANGE OF FRENCH TONE.
LONDON. October 3.-The PARIS ca
= resnondent Of the Sunday Times says
= ..The change Of tone Of the press
u noteworthy. II is now certain that
Fashoda question Is left out OF an neg
,iotions between France and Englar
and that both governments have gras
gl the double fact that England mea
a. 10 stick to her programme, while Fran
al - certainly entitled TO facilities OF
- cess on the Nile
/; RUSSIA ADVISES PEACE.
BERLIN, October 24.-The Nauoi