Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-17
cnAmBeRLAIN's DECLARATION
It Causes All MaDner Of Gossip
Among the .Othef Nations
of EarOpe.

Copyright, 1898, by Press Publishing Coz
LONDON, May 16.-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram. )-The preva
lent opinion now is that Chamberlain's
speech, regarded in the most favorable light,
was a grievous indiscretion. II has excited
jealousies and resentment throughout Eu-
rope without promising to attain any COM
pensatory advantage. II Ia reported tonight
that the Russian ambassador has been di-
rected to demand an explanation Of Sails
bury Of Chamberlain's assertion that the
Russians are ineligible for alliances be-
cause of their perfidy, while his oblique al
fusion to the czar as "The Devil" Is re-
garded certain to give undying offense at
St. Petersburg.
In the city of London today great de-
preston prevailed. Rumors were flying
about that the government proposed to offer
large issue Of exchequer bills from the war
chest while the further rise Of the bank
rate freely predicted that Chamberlain's
main and immediate object was known to
be to force France to evacuate Boussa,
even at the risk Of war. 1t now transpires
that Salisbury, in his private jeremad to the
bankers last Thursday, said the west African
was the most serious question the cabinet
had now to deal with and that has reached a
satisfactory solution. 1t seems well nigh
impossible that this anticipatory declara-
tion by the premier gives gravity to
Chamberlain's utterances 1t might other
wise have lacked force because Of the uni
yersal suspicion that he is playing simply
for his own hand.
further element OF seriousness was i'm
parted to the situation by remark OF the
Duke of Cambridge at the Volunteer Ban
quet Friday night that France had been
given a month to clear out of Boussa, the
disputed district Of West Africa. True the
duke today denies having said this, but
volunteer officers present declare mis- words
were taken down at the time and passed
round the table to all the guests on slip
Of paper marked confidential.
A variety of circumstances in short tends
to cause great anxiety here concerning the
outlook, which now is affected by inspired
statements at the French agencies that west
African negotiations are progressing satis-
factory. Everything seems to prove the
truth of the words of an editorial published
broadcast that Chamberlain's proposal for
an Anglo American alliance springs from a
desire to drag the United States into war
over a miasmatic swamp in west Africa
Among even the limited sections of poll
ticians in Parliament favorable to al
lance the idea of Chamberlain declaration
is treated as being absurdly in advance OF
the facts, while members of Parliament who
would either be Indifferent or hostile are
affronted that the minister should hawk Of
fers of a British alliance in the market
place.
Chamberlain himself is delighted over
the sensation he has created though his
jublation is obviously not shared by his
colleagues. Several members OF Parliament
pressed him privately tonight for more
explicit statement concerning the danger
ahead, but he merely replied oracularly
: Events will justify me-"
Liberal leaders intend ITO have debate
J on his speech at the earliest possible mo
ment which cannot be until FRIDAY a1ter I'M
1 Whitsunday recess.
The drift of opinion on an Anglo American
alliance can be we'll gathered from the prin
cipal papers except the Daily Mail, which
has championed none but lost causes during
its short existence. No newspaper received
1t with enthusiasm. The Daily News fear
y that whatever chance there is to realize al
alliance, gush and jingoism are likely t.
e destroy it.
S chamberlain" it says. "was guilty o
jingoism in figuring on an Anglo American
e alliance as the engine of aggression AM
e threatening action"
e The Globe saws: 1--WE would be glad t
: live in likelihood Of a permanent union o
e all the English speaking nations, but II
case the United States foreign policy under
S goes such quick and violent changes that
: friend of today becomes an enemy tomor
r row. as long as our naval supremacy endure
# we have no need for help on the ocean.
= The Star, strongly pro-American, says
e "Let us not fall into the error OF forcing tn
: sentiment in a hothouse Of selfishness. tina
ia Chamberlain's mistake. In this busines
# of an Anglo American alliance pushtuines
/. is likely to do more harm than good.
n The St. James Gazette writes: GOOD peo
II pie who fancy all Is now completed bu
signing a formal treaty Of offense and de
h fense are going much too fast and are likei
# to do only mischief The United State
!. have yet to realize their own isolation an
actual danger but for British support 1
, Europe"
The gush referred to by the Daily New
:, is supplied by editorials from certain Ne
York papers, which has been easily draw
out by Chamberlain's Interested enusiVe