Evening star., 1898-09-02
TWO POWERS UNITE
Report in London of Agreement Be-
tween England and Germany.
TREATY OF ALLIANCE HAS Been SIGNED
Their Common Policy in Regard
to Russia and China.
I H E r E S Its OF IT

LONDON. September "A report was
current here today that treaty of alliance
| between Great Britain and Germany, on
| the lines OF the speech of Mr.. Chamber
lam, the secretary Of state for the colonies,
was actually completed yesterday.
This is probably an amplification of tn,
gossip relative to the daily visits of Count
Won Hatzfeldt-Wei eidenburg. the German
ambs ssador, to the British foreign office
during the past fortnight, which have been
| attributed to a desire upon the part of
Germany and Great Britain to formulate
common policy in regard to Russia and
China.
Another explanation of the German am
bassador's visits to the foreign office here
is that they relate to the mixed tribunals
of Egypt, the international agreement on
the subject ending in February.
Hampered British Plans
Through French and Russian influence,
the court has always hampered the British
plans for the use of the Egyptian savings
and the advancement of Egypt. Now, it
is said, agreement has been almost
reached by which Germany will support
the British views relative to the future
composition and powers of the mixed tri-
bunals.
II Is Sdlu lndl as a QulQ pro quo Tor Ger
manys support in Egypt. Great Britain
will recognize Germany's claim TO utilize
Syria as an outlet for her surplus popula-
ton.
The Pail Mall Gazette this afternoon says
it has received from source in which II
has every confidence Information that the
Anglo-German agreement was signed this
week by Mr.. Balfour and the German am
bassador in behalf of the respective powers.
A MomentOus Departure.
Continuing, the Pail Mall Gazette says
that while the agreement is restricted. It
embraces an offensive and defensive alli-
ance in certain eventualities.
The Gazette adds: This new and mo-
mentous departure in our foreign policy
comes a natural development OF the
European situation
The Gazette then quotes the sDeech which
Mr.. Chamberlain made at Birmingham on
May 13 last, bidding for GeITnan alliance,
and continues:
"Latterly it has been evident. from the
tone of the semi-ofiiciai German press. that
the two governments have been drawing
closer, and finally there were prolonged
conferences between Count HatZleldt and
Mr.. Balfour. The departure of Count Hatz-
fefdt proves that the object CT the consulta-
tions has been achieved. Besides Mr..
Chamberlain has gone to America Lord
Salisbury is prolonging his absence and
Mr.. Balfour leaves for his holidays on Sat
uIday. Evidently the ministers do not ex-
pect to have to deal with crucial questions
of foreign policy"
Syria and It's Industries.
Syria is division of Asiatic Turkey
which includes Palestine, estimated to
cover an area of about 10000 square miles.
l. has population of about ., 2,750.0o0. most.
ly Mohammedans, but including about 3JO-
600 Greek Christians. 2Go,oO0 Maronites and
Roman Catholics. 10000 Jews and $1,000
Druses. Wheat, barley, maize, mIllet and
lentiis are raised in the plains. cotton and
the mulberry flourish on the coast and silk
is extensively produced on the slopes of
Lebanon. The other chief products of Syria
are Sleeps wool, olive oil, sugar, indigo,
guns, dates, timber, hides and skins. The
camel and mule are employed beasts of
burden and sheep and live stock form the
Chief part of the wealth of the inhabitants.
All merchandise is conveyed the backs
OF animals, and ii is estimated that tram
sit trade employs 5000 beasts and about
$1,000 drivers. Commerce is greatly i'm
peded by the want of roads. those which
exist being mere mule or camel tracks.
The only carriage road is from Beyroot to
Damascus, opened in 1868.
The public revenue of Syria, derived from
taxation of every kind. is estimated at
s., 100000.
Emperor William of Germany has for
some time been planning a trip to Pales-
tine, and is expected to visit Jerusalem this
fall, in order to dedicate the German
church there and lay the corner stone of
the German school, parsonage and hospital
His majesty has also undertaken to regain
for the Roman Catholics the possession OF
of the last supper" and the Sultan of Tur-
key is said to have intimated his willing
ness to meet the wish Of the emperor Ia
this matter.