, 1898-09-03

densive Purposes.
LondCn, Sept. "A report vas cur
rex. here today that Il treaty of alli-
ance between Great Britain and Ger
many On The lines Of the speech of MIR.
| Chamberlain, the secretary of state for
the %colClies, was actually completed
yesterday. This probably is an ampliti-
cation of the gossip relative to the daily
visits of Count Won Observation-Disclosures
bug, the German Ambassador, to the
British foreign Office during the past
fortnight, which have been attributed
to a desire on the pant Of Germany and
Great Britain to formulate a common
policy in regard to Russia ard China.
Another explanation of The German
ambassadors visits to the foreign office
here is that they relate to the mixed
tribunals of Egypt, the International
agreement on the subject ending in
February. Through French and Rus
s'Gl LllN'lt' 'lht CuI Lac always
hampered the British plans for the use
Of the Egyptian savings and the adj
vancement of Egypt. Now, it is said,
an agreement has been almost reached
by which Germany will support the
British views relative to the future
composition and power Of the mixed
tribunals.
1t is said that as a quid pro quo for
Germany's support in Egypt. Great
Britain will recognize Germany's claims
to utilize Syria as an outlet for her
surplus population.
Syria is a division of Asiatic Turkey,
which includes Palestine. estimated to
cover an area of about LAG, 900 square
miles. 1t has a pculat:on of about
2,750 900. mostly Mohammedans, but
including about $50, 900 Greek Chris
tiars, 100000 Maronites and Roman
Catholics, lie, 900 Jews and 4S, 900
Druses.
Emperor William of Germany has
for some time past been Planning a
trip to Palestine. and he is expected
to visit Jerusalem this fall, in order to
dedicate the German church there and
lay HE corner stone of the German
school, parsonage and hospital.
His majesty has also undertaken to
regain fer the Roman Catholics the pos
session of Coenaculum lin Zion), the
chamber of the last supper" and the
sultan of Turkey is said TO have inti-
mated his willingness to meet the wish
of the emperor in this matter.
The Pail Mall Gazette this afternoon
says it has received from a source in
which it has every confidence informa-
ton that the Anglo-German agreement
was signed this week by Mr.. Balfour
and the German ambassador in behalf
of the respective powers.
Continuing the Pail Mall Gazette says
that while the agreement is restricted.
it embraces an offensive and defensive
alliance in certain eventualities. add
ing:
This new and mOmentous departure
in our foreign policy comes as a natural
development of the European situa-
ton"
The Pail Mall Gazette then quotes
the speech which Mr.. Chamberlain
made at Birmingham on May 10 last,
bidding for a German alliance, and
continues:
"Latterly it has been evident, from
the O of the semi-oficial German
press, that the two governments have
been drawing closer and finally there
were prolonged conferences between
Count Hatzfeldt and Mr.. Balfour. The
departure of Count H%atzfieldt proves
that the object OF the consultations has
been achieved. Besides, Mr.. Chamber
lain has gone t. America, Lord Sails
bury is prolonging his absence and
Mr.. Balfom leaves for his holidays on
Saturday. Evidently the ministers do
not expect to have to deal with any
crucial questions of foreign policy
Mr.. Balfour, when questioned on the
subject this afternoon, absolutely de-
clined to discuss the reports in ciTcu-
latfon regarding an Anglo-German al
lance.
Count Won Hatzfeldt, who was be-
heved to have left London, was again
at the foreign office this afternoon.
It Is reported ON the stock exchange
that the Anglo-German alliance or IN
derstanding relates tt the British pur-
chase OF Delagoa bay. with Germany
asesfting
AS a result. Kaffir and Portuguese Sc
curities are booming.