The times., 1898-10-17
The European Situation as
Seen From Britain.
FRANCE ALL AT SEA
Possibility of an Early Coup d'Etnt
in Paris-Suggestions ns TO How to
Settle the Fnshodu Incident-1he
African Policy - Lord Rosebery's
Popular Attitude SaIisbury's
"New Diplomacy"

real peril of the moment to France herself
and TO the peace of Europe in the much
beplacardsd military conspiracy directed
against the Brisson ministry. There is as
yet more rumor than fact, but the air of
Paris is so charged with electricity that 1t
needs but military frebrand such as
France so often provides in moments like
these. to do incalculable mischief.
In itself the Fashoda incident would not
survive half an hours friendly talk be-
tween NJ. Delcasse and Sir E. Monson, the
British ambassador, but it assumes ter
rible importance in view of what may
happen any day to recognized authority
in Paris. Sir Wemyss Reid reports in
the speakss-today the remark of Eng
lish public man: We may see a coup
detat in Paris within fourteen days.
Have you observed how troops have been
collected in the city on the pretext of the
strike and how the Bonapartists are
changing their pretender?' Thoughtful
Enslishmen who are warm friends of
France watch these signs of the times
with much anxiety.
England VIII Not Retreat.
As for the Fashoda situation, 1t is
very clear England cannot and will net
retreat. Lord Salisbury, by following,
for this occasion only, the methods of the
new diplomacy to which Mr.. Chamberlain
is SO addicted and by publishing at once
the fun correspondence between the
French and British governments has
burned his boats behind him. Indeed.
since the last-published dispatch, dated
October ;. Lord Salisbury has affirmed.
even made more precise. England's de-
termination TO admit no compromise
regards her rights in Fashoda. But
though the present ministry Is prepared
to push English rights in Fashoda 10 the
last extremity, they have a keen appre-
citation of the internal difficulties in he
way Of Frances retreat. Authorities on
French politics say that the life of the
BrissGn ministry is not worth months
purchase when the chambers meet in a
few days time.
Major Marchnnd's Position.
This and other considerations have led
the British ministry earnestly to seek to
devise some plan which may save
Frances face and help her to an honora-
bic retreat from an impossible position
LORD Salisbury, indeed. is anxious to treat
France as one gentleman would treat an
other gentlemen in difficulty. There are
several possible plans under COasidera-
ton. One is to treat Major Macchand as
an explorer, and encourage him to con-
tinue his explorations in the direction OF
DarfuT OF the sources of the Bahr-el-
Ghazel Lord Kitchener helping him with
supplies: another is to find high place
Of promotion for him in French West
Africa. and a third IS to induce The Gar
to intervene at Paris in the cause Of
peace. This might be made to appear 10
the French as fresh evidence Of the
iI-irTI7T7 - attachment of Russia to
France. but the first is most Likely and
may fit in with the past policy of the
british cabinet in Africa.
The IrapuIsivc Impcriniists.
strong section OF the ministry, in
GLIDING Mr.. Balfour and Lord Salisbury,
do not sympathize with the impulsve
imperialists who seek to grab everything
in Africa. They have even come to feel
that there is something wiser in Africa
than that red cross of British territory
from Egypt TO Capes Colony, and from
the Nile to the Niger. upon which most
of the British forwards in Africa set
their hearts, 1t will be enough, say this
section of the cabinet, if. having secured
the best bits in Africa, England estab-
fishes a British line from Cairo to Cape
Town Africa is big enough for England,
Germany and France. England and Ger
many now have made a friendly deal
there: why cannot England and France
do the same? England might support
Frances efforts to build up an empire in
West Africa. confirm her claim to rights
of preemption over a part of the Congo
Free State, admit her to the shores of
Lake Chad. even though that would i'm
ply the abandonment of the British line
of empire from the Niger to the Nile,
strengthen her position in Morocco, and
ar-gii1 shEp F.frir Af Z inn
with French aims in West and Central
Africa, so long as British aims are left
unhampered in the North, East and
South.
Not Lord Suiisbury's Way.
of course. certain rampant British jim
goes would growl,s another graceful con-
cession.' They have. during the last few
days. done their best to egg England on
TO oust France bag and baggage from
Africa. as beyond doubt she could easily
do but that is not Lord Salisbury's way
He sees in it some such plan is here
roughly sketched ample grounds for .
broad Anglo-French rapprochement II
which France could well afford to forge
Fashoda, and make Major Marchand hel
hero elsewhere. but. of course, all thi.
implies u ministry at the Quai OrsaS
stable enough 10 conduct delicate nego
Nations, without a nervous eye upon tins
1ckle weathercocx of public sentims Mt
and herein is the chief peril of the pres
ent situation
Lord Rosebery has, by his speech OF
Wednesday. on Fashoda, forced himself
once again into the front Of the British
political arena. For the moment indeed
he quite eclipses Sir William Harcourt
who has shut himself away from public
affairs in his New Forest home, leaving
England TO take care of herself in thest
critical times, without the guidance she
expects from the leader of the Opposition
In supporting Lord Salsbury's policy to-
ward France in so whole-hearted a way
Lord Rosebery only follows out his long
cherished belief that foreign affairs should
be kept outside party wrangles. Mr.. AS
quith's speech on the same lines on this
following day shows how powerful Lore
Rosebery's influence still is. Even th'
Congregational Union, representing tina
non-conformist conscience which alway!
has been timid of the ex-premier's fame!
for the turf and imperialism, were con
strained on the same day to applaud Lore
Rosebery's patriotic stand.
Supporting the Cznr's Rescript.
Once again a national English move
ment is being attempted in support of tn.
Cars disarmament rescript. Meeting
are to be held all over the land, following
up the sympathetic resolutions passed b!
such bodies as the Traders Union Con
Eress and the Congrecation ITnion Th,