The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-04
Warlike Measures on Part of British War
ships in Chinese Waters.
TO CLOSE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
Representatives Expected to Withdraw from the Joint Commits
Attitude OF Our Government
More Talk of by European Powers.No
Change I'm Fasho Situation. Belief that the
Esyptan Question will Bring a General
European War.

Wei Hal, November ALI the
British warships here. the first class
battleship Centurion, the first class
cruiser Narcissus, the second class
cruiser Hermione, the torpedo boat de-
stroyer Whiting, the torpedo boat de-
stroyer Fame, the torpedo boat de-
stroyer Handy and the first class gun
boat, Peacock, have cleared for action
and are ready for sea at an hours no
tice.
The first class battleship Victorious
and the first class cruiser Undaunted,
at Che Foo, are coaling to their full
est capacity.
The greatest secrecy is maintained
as to the meaning of these warlike
preparations, but there is no doubt i'm
portant instructions are expected at
any moment.
large Russian fleet is assembled
at Port Arthur.
London, November 2.-The dispatch
from Wei Hal Wei announcing the
war preparations of the British naval
authorities there. is regarded here as
being CT grave importance, coupled
with the French-AnglO war prcpaIa-
tions. 1t is surmised that Russia,
profting by the present relations be-
tween Great Britain ard France, has
decided to push forward her aims in
the far east by forcibly seizing the
valuable treaty port of New Chwapg,
which Great Britain cannot permit, it
is said.
NO CHANGE IN FASHODA SITUA-
TION.
A semi official note issued this even
ing relative to the reports of settle
ment of the Fashoda question says:
The matter is substantially in the
same position as it was when the blue
book and yellow book were published.
1t is not anticipated that France will
take further action until Major Mar
chand's arrival at Cairo On Thursday,
when explanation will be forthcoming
as to his reason for leaving Fashoda." :"
A Frenchman has been arrested at
Dover for attempting to enter the big
| gun turret on the admiralty pier there.
IN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES.
Washington, November 2.-The crit
! ical situation of affairs between France
| and Great Britain is exciting lively
| interest among members of the diplO-
| matte corps here, and on some Of the
| phases Of the controversy appears to
be more exact than coming from Paris
and London. The dispatches today at
tached much significance to the alb
sence of Baron Courcel the French
stated that France would show her
animosity by not continuing an am
bassador at London.
| The journal Official received at the
| French embassy however, says that
the appointment of M. Paul Cambon
as ambassador for London to succeed
Baron Courcel. was Officially gazetted
on September 21st. NJ. Cambon, is q
brother of Nj. Jules Cambon, the
| French ambassador here, who was con
| spiciOus in the peace negotiations be-
tween this government end Spain. H,
has been ambassador at Constantinoplf
and is now on his way from that point
to London.
At the leading embassies here there
is little idea that the Fashoda affair
will lead to war although there is &
very general opinion that the Egyptian
question in general may lead to a con
f1ict in which other European cOun.
tries than France and Great Britiar
may take part.
ENGLAND AND THE UNITED
STATES.
London, November Fright Hon
James Bryce. former under secretary
of state for foreign affairs. subsequent
| ~ president of the board of trade ant
now member of parliament in the lib
eIal interest for Aberdeen, speaking
there this evening. endorsed LcId Sal
| isbury's stand in the Fashoda contro
versy, declaring that the military con
| troll of all the nayigable waters il
the Bahr el Ghazeal basin, as well a:
the Nile. must be secured to Egypt.
Referring to increasing cordialit,
| between the United States and Crea
| Britain Mr. Bryce said: When las
| liz the United States l was struck witt
the change in public sentiment. tn;
! spontaneous outburst of feeling il
Great Britain when the European pow
| ers wished to intervene against tn
United States during the receQt waI
with Spain made the Americans under
! stand how close We felt the tie be-
| tween them and ourselves. They have
shown that they appreciate and recip-
rocate our sentiment. / would never
advocate formal alliance. At al
| events, the obstacles at present are