The age-herald., 1898-10-26
All Ships and Reserves Ready for
 Immediate Mobilization.
RHODES SIGNIFICANT SPEECH
Great Britain Will Fight if Necessary to Prevent the French from Reaching the River Nile
 Warships Reach Halifax.

London October 25.-All interest today is centered in the Marquis of Salsbury's an- swer to the Fashoda correspondence con- tained in the publication of the British blue book on that subject.
 The conservative papers express them selves being highly pleased with his re- joinder to the French yellow book on the same subject. They declare that it dispels the idea spread by the dispatch of the French ambassador here Baron de Courcel, that the British premier was willing to ne- gotiate the whole question.
 But the liberal and radical organs still consider that the Marquis of Salisbury's attitude admits of negotiations promising a friendly arrangement.
 The entire press,, however scouts the idea of possession of Fashoda coming within the sphere of the discussion. The St. James Gazette this afternoon says: "We are prepared to negotiate the question of the western frontier of the Bahr-E El- Ghazell district, but we must con- trol the Nile, both banks and waters heads, from it's source to the sea-"
 The Globe thinks the Marquis of Salisbury has made it clear that Major Marchand must quit Fashoda without conditions. - OHtll tIdt IS uOue lhS SiOpc SoJSt e'SfS can be no discussion of the French claims in Africa"
 Significant Announcement
 The Globe points out the significant an- nouncement in General Kitchener's report that he sent gunboats south from Sebat, towards Meshra Er-Rek, the principal trad ing center of the Bahf-El-G Ghazell region, with instructions to establish accessory outposts, and that before he left Sebat he completed arrangements for the mainte- nance of those stations.
 This move," the Globe adds, "brings our position down to the eighth parallel of north latitude and the valley of the Bahr- El-Ghazell, which at this moment is under the rule of the Khedve. It will be inter- esting to see the effect of this revelation upon the French government.
 The Pail Mall Gazette concludes from the publication of the blue book that the French government has been given to un- derstano that wholly apart from the Fa- shoda question, its title to the territory abutting on the left bank of the Nile $ re- jected as utterly untenable, and France must accept the position or take the conse- quenceS.
 The Westminster Gazette suggests as a solution that the French be granted way leave" and 'encave. for commercial pur- poses in the Bahr-El-Ghazell district.
 ."Way-leave" is the right of way over an- others ground. "Enclave'' is to shut in, to enclose a territory wilhn the territories or another power.
 The French papers today are more hope ful and believe that pacific solution of the dispute will be found.
 For Immediate Mobilization
 The English papers are full of particu- lars of naval news, but the only fresh 6A- velopment is an order received at Ports mouth to prepare all the ships of the fleet and the reserve for immediate mobiliza- tion.
 Eight additional warships there in con- sequence, commenced coaling today, and working parties were immediately placed aboard the other reserve vessels at Ports- mouth.
 Although not connected with the VIZ prepara tions, much attention has been nt- tracted to a request received by the Clyde ship-builders from the British admiralty for tenders for four new first-class battle- ships, a frst-class cruiser and twelve tor pedo boat destroyers.
 The distinguishing feature Is the in- creased armament, which it is believed will make the batteships when ready for ser vice, the most powerful vessels of their class afloat. They will have a speed of nineteen knots. The cruiser will be of 14,- GOO tons and will be able to steam twenty three knots an hour. All the vessels will mount exceptionally strong, quick-firing guns.
 Cecil Rhodes Address
 London October 25.-The Cape Town cor respondent c< the Times says:
 Cecil Rhodes, addressing an open air meeting here this (Tuesday) afternoon, said that four years ago he saw Baron de Cour- eel, French ambassador to Great Britain, and told him on the authority of Lord Rosebery that Great Britain would fight If necessary to prevent the French reaching the Nile and cutting the connection the British intended to make between the north and south. Mr. Rhodes added that he knew the French government was then advised that such would be England's action"
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