New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-26
NO BRITISH-FRENCH WAR.

RumOrs OF an impending war between Great
Britain and France over the possession OF
Fashoda are still extant From the outset
they have seemed to us unfounded and injud-
cious and each new day brings confirmation
Of that estimate. 1t is now seen that the
stories of extraordinary preparations at the
dockyards were much exaggerated. There has
been nothing on the British side comparable
with the work done when the German En-
peror sent his remarkable dispatch of congrat-
ulation TO the Transvaal President. Nor has
the French Navy done anything more than ii
might we'll do in time Of profoundest peace I'M
der the direction Of SO energetic an admins
traitor as NJ. LockrOy AS for official utter
ances they make Enthusiastically for the main
tenance OF peace. The first British Blue Book
stated the British case in a dispassonate but
firm and convincing manner. The French Vel
low Book replied with French statement that
was certainly not bellicose and that seemed
more concerned with preserving the honor and
dignity Of France than with holding fast a
post on the Upper Nile which would be of not
the least practical value TO the Republic. Now
comes another British Blue Book equally peace
full in tone, though equally positive. You can
not find war between its covers.
Observe also the tone Of the press That Of
Great Britain Is now and then n trfe militant,
as is natural. John Bull resembles Jonathan
In that respect He Is apt to speak more plain
y than automatically. We shall not say his
bark Is worse than his bite, for that Is not true
But we may at least say that in his voice you
are likely to hear all the menace there is in
the entire situation. The French press IS not
as significant Of Governmental intention, nor
as influential In shaping Governmental action,
as the British. Nevertheless, 1t has much in
fuence over public opinion. and the latter is
force that must always be reckoned with. 1t
Is therefore agreeable to see that, while the or
gans Of the Jew-baiters and revolutonsts rave
madly, the sober journals that either mould or
reflect the opinion Of sober and honest men are
taking a peaceful view OF the case. One OF
them some days ago sounded the true note, that
il was possible to maintain honor without re-
tanning Fashoda Others admit that the Mar
chand expedition was a mistake and say it
should be recalled One thinks a peaceful set
Element can be effected II due time IS given
for the withdrawal Of the expedition; as 1t no
doubt will be given. Another looks for a set
Element that will increase and strengthen
friendship between the two countries. Certain
ly these are not the sentiments Of a people
Intent upon or expecting war.
1t Is desirable to recognize these peaceful
tendencies, partly because 1t Is ilways better
TO think Of peace than OF war and partly be-
cause there are few conceivable things that
would more disturb the interests Of the whole
world than q war between Great Britain and
France. Such a war would probably be brief
and not as destructive Of llfo and property as
others that might be conceived But Il would
disturb the commerce and civil progress OF the
world more than almost any other. The very
thought of its possibility would have a disas-
trous effect Such thought, therefore, at least
until there Is far more ground for Il than NJ
present, should be dismissed and excluded I'm
the most emphatic manner. 1t can do no good.
and IL would do HARM to contemplate the con.
tngency OF so abhorrent thing 1t would
not greatly commend ones prophetic perspicu-
ity TO dwell upon n vision OF horrors against
whose realization the chances are n thousand
to one. The one may happen and the thousand
not. So may the world come to an end to-
morrow. But rational men do not act upon
such hazards. The simple facts are that there