The age-herald., 1898-02-21
AN ALIGNMENT
 AGAIN AMERICANS Composed of Spain and the Latin Amer
 iCan Republics IS TALKED IN LONDON TOWN Spectator Thinks There Are Special Re-
 latiOnS Existing BETWEEN FRANCE AND SPAIN Slight Brush Between England and France Over the African Problem More Soldiers
 Sent by Johnny Bull to the Af-
 rcan Possessions.
BETWEEN FRANCE AND SPAIN

| London, Feb. 20.-The danger of leaving | explosives about in the shape of armed | bands roaming in disputed spheres under youthful officers has been amply illustrated in West Africa, where the intermingling of French and British troops has already caused incidents which threaten grave con- plications. Happily, the positive instruc- | tions of both governments have thus far l been obeyed and an actual collision has been averted But the fuse is alight and unless France withdraws from her provoca- tive attitude or Great Britain makes grace ful concessions towards the French claims, an explosion is bound to follow. Some explanation of the attitude of France may be found in the desire of it's government to turn French minds from the inauisition that Zola has provoked, while it must not be forgotten that the minister for foreign affairs, M. Hanotaux, bears upon his shoulders the burden of elections close at hand and has to face the threaten ings of the colonial party to swamp the government if it shows the faintest sign of yielding.
 Supplementary Estimate
 Next week the supplementary estimate of 150 ,000 pounds for the West African ex- penses will be presented to the house of commons and an interesting debate may be expected. Probably the most vital point Is not the possession of territory, but the free dom of commerce. Where the French have occupied the Hinterland of British coast colonies the latter have been shut out from interior trade. In the present instance the control of the Niger and the free naviga- tion of that great waterway as an avenue of trade for the world is at stake.
 Another batch of thirty-six British off, cers and non-commissioned officers sailed today for West Africa, accompanied by immense quantities of war munitions. This critical situation on top of numerous pend- ing serious questions has re-aroused appre- hensions as to whether the Marquis of Salisbury is inclined to undu1y sacrifice the empire. The address to the reply to the speech from the throne has finally been closed and when the house meets again on Monday it will be to learn the provisions of the great measure of the session-the Irish local government bill The real business of the sessions will then begin. The pulp lie Is impatient that something practicable should be accomplished to reform and strengthen the army and navy. The army estimates for the current year issued today total up 20 ,S17 pounds, and ought to satis- fly the demands for increased expenditure. Alignment Against America There is curious discussion in the Spanish press as to the possibility of con- federating the Latin republics of South America with Spain against the United States. Fl Pals contends that the Spanish republics are weak through isolation, and that if united in diplomatic alliance they would be the first power in the world in territory, second in population and that either armies and navies would have suf- ficient power to insure respect.
 The papers point out that the jea1ousies of the republics prevent them from taking the initiative, but Spain, 1t is claimed, ought to urge her lazy diplomats to ap- proach the republics with the view of combining for the defense of Latin in- terests, in danger of the intrusion from the Anglo-Americans.
 Fl Pals thinks Spains advice would not be discarded if she warned Latin America against the United States, adding: For it Is well known that the greedy yankees, once the Panama canal Is opened to the worlds care, will do all which their per- fidy can suggest to wrest it from the Latin countries of Central America, even as England seized the suez canal. Tending in this direction is the desire of the Amer jeans to secure Cuba"
 Between France and Spain.
 Referring to Latin alliances, the Specta- tor. in a long article, points out that there is no doubt of the existence of special re- lations between France and Spain, which have lately strengthened, and says:
 There are well-informed people who be- lieve that when in the autumn the United States and Spain almost colhded, the United States found there was a stiffness in the Spanish attitude which could only be ac- counted for by the fact that Spain knew she could appeal to power which could not neglect her demands for help"
 Continuing, the Spectator expresses the belief that France allowed the United States to understand indirectly that con alterations of importance to her would not allow her to see Spain treated in any un- friendly manner, and that Spanish appeal to France must result In the latter's in- tervention.
 The Saturday Review believes this ac- counts for 'the way the United States shrunk from putting in practice the treat ment of Spain suggested in the original protests of the Washington govemrnment"
 The Spectator explains that If France had not helped Spain the latter would have applied for admission to the driehund with