Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-12-12
THE TALK OF ENGLAND.
Things That Are Interesting People
Over There.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

| I'LL ANULU.I h1NUQ U1OI y 1 L
leadership of the Liberal Party Dis
cusxed--British shipbuilders Hope
to Make Some of Our New Ves-
seIs-The Dreyfus Case.
London, Dec. 12.-There were two
prominent figures in the political arena
last week, the secretary of state for
the colonies, MIR Joseph Chamberlain,
and the British ambassador at Paris,
Sir Edmund j. Monson. The address
of the latter to the British Chamber OF
Commerce at Paris came like a peal of
thunder, causing dismay on both sides
Of the channel, where many people had
affected to discern an already faint out
line of a peace rainbow between France
and Great Britain as a sequel of the
passing over of the Fashoda storm.
The first impression was that Sir Ed
mund j. Monson had received cue
from the Marquis of Salisbury to give
a candid warning to France that Great
Britain is fully determined not to stand
any further pin prick nonsense. This
impression still prevails, although it
has been somewhat modified by the
explanation which the ambassador sent
to the French press, and it is now
thought MOnson got an official tip to
give France warning, but that he
spoke more openly than was intended.
The address, however, has served as
reminder to the people of both countries
that the fire of the Sudan imbroglio is
still smoldering and may burst into
flame before it is finally disposed Of
The ambassadors warning. according
to those qualified to know, was prompt
ed by the fact that the French govern
ment, sulking over the Marchand af-
fair, is evading diplomatic discussion OF
pending Anglo-French problems and
was intended to intimate that with the
change of French ambassadors at Lon
don this week, Baron de Courcel being
succeeded by M. Paul Cambon, the
Marquis of Salisbury desired a more
active treatment of the points in dis
pute.
Sir Edmund j. Mons on's manly frank
ness is quite characteristic of the en-
bassador and won for him the warm
friendship of Car Alexander and En-
peror Francis Joseph, both of whom
asked the British foreign office to send
him to their respective capitals when
he quilted Copenhagen, where he was
persona grata at the court He chose
Vienna.
Chamberlain's Speech.
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech on Thurs
day, embracing the whole range Of do
nestle and foreign politics, aroused as
much interest abroad as at home. He
forecasted the ministerial domestic leg
islation of the coming session and then
held out the olive branch to every for
eign country except France, to which
he administered salutary caution
which has been but little relished there
and which evoked all sorts of newspa-
per threats to thwart Great Britain's
projects.
In the passage in Mr.. Chamberlain's
speech boldly asserting that the gov
eminent has further surprises for the
opposition some politicians see a hint
that the government may go to the
country upon the innocuous scheme of
reform Of the house of lords which will
cut the leading plank in the Liberal
platform from under the opposition's
feet.
Mr.. Chamberlain's declaration that an
agreement with Russia on Chinese af-
fairs is desirable has made a deep i'm
preston in view of his former utter
ance, in which, referring to Russia's
evasion of agreements, he said, He
who sups with the devil must have
long spoon" This remark gave great
umbrage to the ear. and it was then
thought it BODIED i'll for future under
standing.
The friendly references of Mr.. Cham
berlain to Germany, suggesting mutual
help in matters of common interest,
have met with a favorable reception in
Germany. The press comments show
yelled JOY at the prospect of an Anglo
German entente, but the German papers
refrain from an effusive display of glad
ness, evidently with the view of secur-
ing the best part of the bargain.
The Liberal Leadership.
The question of the Liberal leader
ship, which has been in allegiance, came
to the front last week in the form of
notice by the Nottingham Liberal asso-
citation that 1t will raise the matter at
the meeting of the National Liberal
federation on Dec. 16. A lively discus
sion is expected, though it is understood
the officials will try to shelve the mat
ter Sir William Vernon Harcourts po-
sitlon in the nominal Leadership of the
Liberal party is insecure, because it has
not been definitely established by the
united voice of the party, and it re-
ceived a rude shaking when Lord Rose
berry emerging from temporary retire.
ment, delivered that bold Fashoda dec
laration which resolved itself into a bid
for the leadership. The Unionists are
rubbing their hands with undisguised
glee at the prospect of a fight between
the Harcourtites and Roseberyites,
which may split the Liberal party.
President McKinley's message to con-
gress and Secretary Cages report are
both warmly discussed in the weeklies.
The Speaker thinks British shipbuilders
will reap a temporary advantage from
Secretary Cages proposals, since most
Of the ships wanted in the near future
will have to be built in Great Britain
and the restrictive laws protecting
American shipbulding must be relaxed
to permit their entry. Moreover, it is
claimed, Americas commercial devel-
tpment will eventually weaken her pro-
tectionism. The Speaker concludes by
saying: "The salient result of the mes
sage is the recognition of Americas