Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-10-28
EUROPEAN WAR CLOUD.
France Making FeveTish Prepa-
ratiOnS.
Great Britain Has Been On.a War Foot
ing the Past Yesr---HOw the English
View the situation.

Great Britain Has Been On.R War Foot
ing the Past Vear---How the English
View the situation.
Never since Great Britain and France
began to dispute over Egypt, nor during
the most acute stage of the Niger differ
ences between those two countries, has the
situation looked so ominous as today. The
French naval and military authorities are
making feverish preparations for the war,
and though calm reigns at the British dock
yards at Portsmouth, Chatham and Devon
port, it is only the calm of preparedness,
and significant orders have been arriving
there from the admiralty indicating the
belief that Great Britain and France are
on the brink of war.
As Mr.. De Blowitz, the Paris correspon-
dent of the London Times, writes: Never
before has there been witnessed such
state of fever as is now prevailing in Great
Britain, nor so great an exaltation of pub
lie feeling over a matter of reign and pol
icy, while on her side France is promptly
and rapidly, without looking forward or
backward, preparing to fight any power
provoking her. The French statesmen,
however, still cling to the hope that the
marquis of Salisbury will offer some ex-
change which will enabls them to retire
dignity. This hope is based on a converse
ton between Lord Salisbury and Baron de
Courcel, the French ambassador at Lon
don"
Baron de Courcel says that Lord Sails
bury asked him what were the desires of
France in the Soudan. 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
matter Frenchmen infer from this atti-
tude of the British premier that he is will
ing to discuss the French claims, and they
even talk of negotiations being in progress.
The English newspapers, however, vigor-
ously combat this impression and warn
France not to be led away by such illusions.
They declare that the evacuation of Fash
oda must precede anything else.
The London Times referring to the
Fashoda question, says: 'It is not we who
are trying to humiliate France, but it is
France that seeks to put great humilia-
ton upon us. We have beaten the khalifa
and have effectively occupied the provinces
he usurped. We are now asked to clear
out at the orders of an exploring party of
nine Frenchmen who owe their escape from
destruction to our military success; or, if
| we are klnuly permitted nOV 10 clear OuC,
we are to pay compensation for our title
to what we have wrested from the khalifa.
This is not thing we can consent to dis
cuss upon any such high-handed summons.
We are there in effective occupation, and
there we intend to remain Punch hits
off the popular feeling in this matter in q
cartoon representing John Bull being pes
tered by a French organ-grinder outside
his doorstep. The organ is labeled Fash
oda, >" and monkey in French military
uniform is sitting on the organ, screaming
and beating a tiny drum. The organ
grinder asks, "What you give me if &C
away 2" John Bull replies, "I'll give you
something if you don't"
The French naval preparations were al
first declared TO be mere routine arrange
ments, but they are now admittedly di
rected against Great Britain. The minister
of marine, NJ. Lockroy,.is despatching or
ders to all the naval stations along tn,
coast and he is receiving reports as to theil
condition. The French dock-yards anC
arsenals are working at full pressure, hur
riedly preparing war ships and torpedo