The times., 1898-02-14
England,s uncertainty.

The truth regarding England's diplo-
matte reverses in the Orient is leaking
out gradually. and there is widespread
unrest and indignation throughout the
United Kingdom. When Lord Sails
bury made his perfunctory address in
the House of Lords on the speech from
the throne, he declared that his gov
ernment had never cared about the
opening of Talienwan, but had only
suggested it to China as desirable. 1t
now transpires that this statement was
not quite ingenious. 1t was the British
intention to bind China secretly to open
the port of TaIienwan in order to check
mate the movement of Russia in secur-
ing Port Arthur. The latter would be
next to useless to the Car if the ada
cent position We're to be in the hands
of an unfriendly or rival power. The
London Times got hold of the purpose,
and with more enterprise than patriotic
discretion published it. OF course, Rus
sia put the screws on at Pekin. and
that particular scheme went up the
spout
With the complete retreat which the
Salisbury government was compelled
to beat in China, the scene of friction
was changed from Asia to Africa,
where the English and French forces
of exploration, occupation and gener
ally land grabbing are face to face in
a dangerous way, at more places than
one. Readers of The Times are aware
that considerable territory in western
Africa claimed by Great Britain under
old treaties with native chiefs has been
occupied by various French eXpedi-
tons. The situation therefore is most
grave. 1t is so much SO that Sir Charles
Wentworth Dixie has declared that,
unless the government makes a most
ignominious retreat from the position
it has assumed in West Africa. it will
be extremely difficult to avert war with
France. m ..-
The opinion seems to he strong in
England that Lord Salisbury will be
driven to make a stand in the Upper
Niger country. much as he desires
peace at any sort of price. If he could
manage to insure himself against COM
pIications in other parts of the world
it is probable that even he would ven-
ture upon hostilities in Africa, where
the British power is in better shape
to fight than the French. But the rup-
ture of friendly relations between
Great Britain and France might be on
ly the preface TO book of unknowable
eventualities- Nobody, outside of Eu-
ropean cabinet circles. can have much
idea as IA how the continental powers
would treat such matter as Franco
British war ii is doubtful if there are
any persons in the Salisbury govern
ment who have any well defined con-
victions on the subject. On the sur
face. il may be said that the uncer-
tainty counts against the French as
much as it does against the British
position: but that is a chance the Mar
quis Of Salisbury does not act as if he
wished to gamble on.
There are some facts. TO be sure. that
make il look as il Great Britain had
determined to face the issue Men and
war material are being hurried to the
disputed points in a way and under
military conditions suggesting serious
purpose If there should be a clash of
arms. even on the smallest scale. war
would seem to be inevitable in the pres
ent feverish and insane temper of the
French people
The question Of pursuit or retreat in
that event would be taken out of the
control of the British prime minister.
And that is what a great many shrewd
observers in England and Europe are
predicting viii happen within the next
few weeks