Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-11-03
OF FASHODA.
Spot in the Disputed African Ter.
- ritory Disappears In a
- Larger Issue.
ALL EGYPT Is THE PRIZE NOW.

John Bull Credited with the Intention of
Defying Europe and ProcIaiming n Pro-
tectorate, an Explanation of the Ex-
traordinary War Preparations Now Go
/ ing On-signihcant Remark of a French
Diplomat - Professor Bryce Endorses
salisbury's War Policy.
| London; Nov. 2.-The situation re-
\ yarding Fashoda is practically un-
| changed Baron de Courcel, the French
| ambassador who on Tuesday saw Sir
| Thomas Sanderson, permanent under
/ secretary of state for foreign affairs.
was absent from Lord Salisbury's re-
ception Tuesday. The special dispatches
from Paris this morning repeat the
seni-ofncial statement that the evacua-
ton of Fashoda is accepted in principle.
but that other stations IN the Rahr-el-
Gahzal region will be maintafned.
The fact that the coasE guardsmen
throughout the United Kingdom have
been warned to be in readiness for
mobilization is regarded as atinenacing
sign. Mary OF them have already Joined
their ships.
Ship,oad OF Submarine Mines.
Sydney. c. B., Nov. 3.-The British
warships CordeIia and Pelican arrived
yesterday from Halifax. Their visit is
regarded as extraordinary. as both
were supposed to leave for home to go
out of commission. The ships have sub
marine mines and heavy guns aboard.
specially shipped at Halifax. and it is
reported they will mine the entrance to
Sydney and ST. Johns, Nd. harbors.
Halifax, y. s., Nov. 3.-The British
battleship Renown is in full fighting
trim and last night tested her electric
searchlights. This week the Renown
has taken aboard large quantities of
ammunition and naval stores.
View of a French Diplomat.
Washington, Nov. "a French dip
lomat here. speaking of the Fashoda
affair, said: There is not the slightest
chance that Fashoda alone will lead to
war. Although of strategical value it
is practically inaccessible to France,
while at the same time easily accessible
to England. English ships are now
well down the Nile. and the British
troops are not far from Fashoda. Be
sides, the Nile route brings the British
within two weeks travel of Fashoda.
On the other hand il took Major Mar
chand two years to reach there on the
route from the west coast of Africa and
across the Congo country. From a
military standpoint, therefore, it would
be inexpedient If not impossible for an
issue to be made on Fashoda- If there
is to be an issue at all it will be on the
larger question of Egypt in general and
the control which Egypt is to exercise
on the heart of Africa"
just Where Fight May Come In.
1t is just here that the war may come
in. The specials at London have been
trying to account for the extraordinary
war preparations now going on in Brit
ish territory all over the world and have
come to the conclusion that John Bull
has determined to make the Egyptian
issue himself by issuing q proclamation
declaring a protectorate over Egypt.
This would raise an issue that would
Nile valley for all time. 1t would ig-
rore the sultan, who is the nominal su-
preme ruler over Egypt, and is believed
TO have no very friendly feeling for
John Bull anyhow at the present time.
1t would forestall a European confer
ence to discuss the whole Egyptian
question. and be n challenge to any ma
tion in Europe which chose to gainsay
British actinl.
Startling News from Wei Hai-wei.
Startling news was received yester-
day from Wei-Hai-Wei. It was to the
effect that all the British war vessels
there, comprising n squadron of one
hrst-class battleship. one first-class
cruiser, one second-class ditto, three
torpedo boat destroyers and a first
class gunboat had cleared for action
and were ready for sea. There is the
greatest activity and excitement in ma
val and military circles on both sides
of British America-Halifax and Esqui-
mault-