The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-23
THE FASHODA QUESTION
BRITISH CABINET TO DISCUSS
IT THIS WEEK.
FRANCE MUST DECIDE WHAT SHE WILL 90
Feversh State Of the English Public. France
Prepared to Fight any Power.
EngIand's Hontrs Won at 0mdur-
man Should be Held.
man Should be Held.

Copyright, 1898, yb Associated Press)
London. October 22.-Never since
Great Britain and France began to dis
pute over Egypt. nor during the most
acute stage of the Niger differences be-
, tween those two countries, l:ts the SItua-
ton looked so ominous as to-day. In
spite of the hope expressed in the sober
journals of both countries that the matter
would be amicably arranged, 1t * 4 fact
that the French naval and military au-
thorities are making feverish prepara-
tionse for war, and though calm reigns
at the British dock yards at Portsmouth,
Chatham and Davenport. it is only the
calm of preparedness, and Significant or
ders have been arriving there from the
Admiralty indicating the belief that
Great Britain and France are on the
brink of war. As Mr.. De BlowltZ, the
Paris correspondent of the London Times
writes, to-day:
"Neyer before has there been wit
messed such a state of fever as is now
prevailing in Great Britain nor so great
an exaltation of public feeling over a
matter of reign and policy: while on her
side. France. promptly and rapidly. with
out looking forward or backward, is pre-
pared to fight any power provoking her.
The French statesmen. however. still
cling to the hope that the Marquis of Sa-
lisbury will offer some exchange which
will enable them to retire from Fashoda
without apparent sacrifices. of dignity.
This hope is based on a conversation be-
tween Lord Salisbury and Baron De
Couroel. (the French Ambassador at
London). which figures in most impor-
tant dispatch in the yellow book which
the French Government will issue to-
morrow
EVACUATION FIRST OF ALL.
1t is learned by the Associated Press
that Baron De Couroel, in this dispatch,
says Lord Salisbury during the CONVEX
sation referred to asked him what were
the desires of the French in the Soudan;
to which the Baron replied That France
wished for an outlet on the Upper Nile.
Lord Salisbury then responded that he
could not promise anything and must
consult with his colleagues on such mat
ter.
Frenchmen infer from this attitude OF
the British Premier that he is willing To
discuss the French claims and they even
talk of negotiations being in progress.
The English newspapers, however, vigo-
rously combt this impression and warl
France not to be led away by such illu
sions. They declare that the evacuation
of Fashoda must preeede anything else
The French naval preparations were
Mt first declared to be mere routine ar
ran gements. but they are now admittedly
directed against Great Britain. The
Minister of Marine, NJ Lockroy, is dis
patching orders to all the naval stations
along the coast. and he is receiving re-
ports as to their condition. The French
dock yards and arsenals are working at
full pressure. hurriedly preparing war
ships and torpedo boats for active SER
vice.
On the British side a feeling of abso-
lutte self confidence is displayed. Ever
ready" is the burden of all the state
ments from naval quarters. In fact,
the British navy has practically been
on a war footing for a year past, and
an authoritative pronouncement to this
effect has come from the secretary to
the Admiralty Mr. w. T.. Ellison Mac
Artney
ENGLAND FULLY PREPARED.
a prominent dock yard official in an
interview, declared that the circum-
stances of the present crisis had been
fully provided for i'll the mobilization
scheme. He added that the British ma
val authorities had all their ships ready
and could commission a squadron of
cruisers and have them off the French
coast in less than "A hours. This official
also pointed out that it was not for moth
ing that the British naval manoeuvres
were put off this year. He added that
the British ships at the present moment
have larger supply of coal on board
and available and larger stock of pro-
visions than ever known before.
The British Admiralty list to-day
shows nine British battleships and
eleven fast cruisers are lying in the
Mediterranean, while the British chan
mel squadron, which was last reported
off Villagarcia, Spain, consisting of eight
battleships and five cruisers, constitutes
the most modern and powerful homo
Z geneous,feet of warships afoat.
kilograms from Balmora intimate
that Queen Victoria is following the
trend of events with much chagrin. Her
aversion to war; in the declining years
: of her reign, is well known, and is an
appreciate factor in the situation.
The Austrian and German newspapers
are closely following the dispute between
Great Britain and France. While they
express the hope that it will not end in
war, the general feeling is, that the
French position is untenable and that
Great Britain is entitled to reap the
fruits of victory.
The British Ministry appears to have
one foot in the grave and its prospects
of lasting long beyond the opening OF
Parliament are very dubious. The
French Premier is attacked on all sides
and it was thought he would try to Sc
cure the support of the moderates tC
carry him through the session. but his
list of new projects issued this weel
shows moderate officials have mostly
been replaced by Radicals. This has ex
asperated the moderates. who declare
that the Ministry has thereby signed III
own death warrant. interpretations
from deputies on the Government
policy at home and abroad are pour
ing in.