The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-10-26
FRANCE LAYS CLAIM 70 FASN0Dl.
WAS THERE FIRST.
England Persistent In Her Demands for the
Evacuation of the soudan city-Russia
May Take a Hand In the Matter.

France claims the possession of the
Soudan city In Africa. Fashoda, by
right of prior occupation, England
recognizes no such right and the rela.-
tlons between the two countries are
threatening.
france has semi officially declared
that she cannot yield outright in the
fashoda affair without the sacrifice Of
national honor, and there can be nc
possible backdown on the part of Lord
salisbury without placing England in
the position of having bluffed and then
laid down
The Fashoda yellow book issued by
the French government takes the
ground that neither England nor
Egypt has any right in the Soudan
without the sultan's consent, and that
France being first at Fashoda claims
1t by right of prior occupation.
Whether this ground be tenable or
not, England cannot concede any dual
occupation of Egypt or the Upper Nile
inasmuch as she has spent millions in
inc conquest OF the latter from the
mahdi.
The report from Cherbourg that the
French army is being massed at coast
fortresses serves but to add fuel to the
flames, and the feeling throughout
England Is deeper and more intense
than ever.
There can be no question, according
10 those in n position to Judge, that
England means business. She is not
averse to war with France or even
with France and Russia combined A
war with one or the other is Inevitable
and, according to the British military
party, the sooner the better"
England has been looking for years
with ever-increasing disfavor on the
growing good feeling between these
two powers, and has become imbued
with the idea that 1t BODIES no good Ia
her. Therefore, II she must come to
blows with them, she prefers to take
them single handed.
In diplomatic circles II is not thought
probable that Russia will actively as
sist France, as in that event Germany
would of necessity be compelled to
take hand in the game.
Germany could not afford to passive
ly look on while England was being
defeated and France and Russia power
and prestige enhanced, for the next
step might be an attempt to regain
Alsace- Lorraine.
Great Britain's naval strength is
equivalent to that of France and Rus
sia combined. The English have in
commission in European waters rs
battleships. the French is, and the
Russians o.
Britain has go battleships, France 36
Britain has IA coast defense ships
France 16. Britain has 105 cruisers
France has "a. Britain has in the Ma
jestic and her eight sisters incompar-
able flrst-class battleships. The coast
defense ships of France include large
number of armored gunboats.
Britain's first aim in the war with
France will be to defeat its main fleet
in battle. Her second aim will be to
maintain sufficient force of cruisers
or privateers designed to prey upon
commerce. Its third object will be to
capture the coaling stations and colo
MES of France. These are more valu-
able now than they were before the use
of steam.
The insurgent troops at Manila are
becoming desperate. They have had
no pay for three months. The promise
of complete independence Is the only
thing that has thus far prevented g
revolt.
Dan Connor, a mine boss at Wallace
Idaho. was ordered to leave the coun-
try few days ago by n mob of armed
miners. Connor had discharged severa
mine workers for incompetency.