Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-17
A GENERAL WAR IN EUROPE
Prediction OF the Gaulois, a
Newspaper OF Paris.
ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES
Fashoda Incident Prologue to
a Big Drama.


Paris, France, Nov. IL. Tho Gaulois,
this morning, after referring TO the
= Philippine question MS representing
serious complications, said: 1.-THE.
thing to be faced is no longer q re-
newal of the conflict between America
and Spain, owing TO rupture of the
negotiations, but general European
conflict. The Fashoda incident is only
the prologue to q big drama, which is
soon to occur in the theatre OF Euro
pean politics; and, on reading tho pa
pers OF Berlin, London and Madrid, ono
feels that something uncomfortable is
in the air. Spain knows that resist
ance upon her part, isolated as she is,
would have no chance of success, and
she is looking for friend in Europe.
Before Fashoda, any such search would
have been useless, but now England is
anxious TO satisfy her ambitions in the
far East"
Continuing, the Gaulois asserted
that Great Britain is trying to bring
about an offensive and defensive alli-
ance with the United States, of which,
according to the Gaulois, Great Britain
alone would reap the benefit.
The Gaulois added: "Great Britain's
programme is well known. She will
induce the United States to refuse any
concession to Spain, and to refuse coal
ing stations in the Philippine Islands
to Russia and Germany. A conflict
intervenes, which forces the Powers
having interests in the East to take
up arms. The question becomes no
longer that of the Philippines, but that
Of China, and finally European war
breaks out
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE Russian
Ambassador, Count Cassini, who is
Just hack from an extended vacation at
the seashore and mountains, was seen
today at the Russian Embassy, where
he talked in a most interesting manner
on International questions. Referring
to the Philippines, Count Cassini said
that Russia naturally felt much inter-
est in the status of those islands, owing
to their proximity to the eastern pos
sessions of Russia. There was no war
rant. however, he said, for the reports
coming from Paris, that Russia had
been appealed to by Spain with view
to limiting the claims of the United
States in the Philippines. No such
appeal had been made to Russia, or tc
other foreign governments. Through,
out the recent war, Russia maintained
the most friendly attitude towards the
United States.
The Ambassador said that he did mo-
doubt this would have good effect il
continuing the firm friendship which
has so long existed between Russia anS
the United States. In this connection
Count Cassini took occasion to joil
issue with prevailing public view
that England showed her conspicuous
friendship for the United States durin,
a critical stage in the war with Spain
declining to join the great Powers o
Europe in a move for intervention
The Ambassador said he had heard thi
report frequently, and it seems to b
accepted in this country as part o
the history of the recent war and as tn
basis for much applause for England a
Of Europe. Count Cassini sal
that no such action on the par
of Great Britain ever took place
and that the impeachment of tn
continued friendliness of other Power
is due to misapprehension of the facts
At no time, he said, was there pun
pose on the part of the great Powers I
intervene against the action of tn
United States, so that there was neve
an occasion for such display of Ems
lish friendship in checking the dc
signs of the great Powers as is ger
orally represented. Count Cassini sal
that the story, although very widel
circulated and generally accepted {
fact, is nothing more than fable, an
that for the truth of history, as well
for the removal of this groundless r,
Election upon the attitude of the Eur,
pean Powers towards the Unite
States, this fable should not be al
cepted as a part of the record of Il
war. He did not give this merely
his personal opinion, but as establishs
facts learned during visits to Paris ar
Berlin. as well as st. Petersbur,
While in no way rejecting upon nr
other Power, the Russian Ambassad
felt that it is but simple Justice
Russia and other continental Powe
that the consistent friendship tn
maintained towards the United Stat
throughout every period of the war, n.
continue TO maintain towards this go
ernment, should not be obscured
any sentimental fiction as to the e
ceptional friendship Of one nation Al
the enmity Of others.