Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-20
DANGER IN AFRICA.
COLLISION OF FRENCH AND BRr-
TrsH TROOPS THREATENED.
LATIN AMERICA AGAINST UNCLE SAN.
s"ch n Confederation Proposed by
spanish Press-Frsnco-spaai En-
tente with Respect 20 This coum-
fry--Foet-nan Murder.
CcODyrishted' 1898 by the Associated

Press)
LONDON, February Io.-The danger Of
leaving explosives about. IN the shape Of
armed Dands roaming IN disputed spheres.
under youthful officers, has been amply
Illustrated in West Africa. where the in
termInglng Of French and British troops
has already caused Incidents which
threaten the most grave complications.
Happily, the positive instructions OF both
governments have thus far been obeyed.
and an actual collision has averted, but
the fuse Is alight. and unless France
withdraws from her provocative attitude.
or Great Britain continues the graceful
concession policy she has hitherto OBJ
served toward the French claims, an ex-
plosion is bound to follow.
Wherever the French have occupied the
Hinterland of British Coast Colonies the
latter have been shut on. from interior
trade. In the present instance. the con-
troll Of the Niger aud tho free navigation
OF that great waterway as an avenue OF
trade for the world is at stake. Another
detachment OF thirty-six British commits
stoned and non-commissloned officers sail
ed to-day for West Africa, accompanied
bv immense quantities OF war munitions.
This critical situation, on top of hume
rous pending serious questions. has re-
aroused apprehensions as to whether.
rightly or wrongly held. the Marquis OF
Salisbury IS inclined TO unduly sacrifice
the interests OF the empire.
AS even the unalarmist Statist points
out the troubles augment.
Attest SPANISH IDEA
rnere a curious discussion in the
Spanish press as to the possibility OF
confederating the I.ation republics or
South America with spain against the
Unlted states.
III Pals cOnrenI3 that the spanish re-
puzzles are weak through isolation, ana
that, II united in military and diplo-
matte alliance. they would be the FIRST
power IN the world I'm territory. and the
second In population, and that their
armies ana navles would nave sufficient
power 20 insure respect.
The paper points out that the jealousies
of the republics prevent them from taking
the initiative. out spain. II IL claimed.
ought TO urge her lazy diplomats 10 APP
proach the republics with the view OF
combining Tor the defence OF Latin In
terests when endangered by the in
truslon of Anglo-Saxons.
III Pals thinks SPANS advice would not
be discarded IL che warned Latin Amerl-
ca against the United States adding:
''r'0r II Is well known that the greedy
I ankees, once the Panama canal Is
opened to the worlds commerce. will do
all that their pertidy cen suggest to'wrest
II from the Latin countries OF Central
America, even as England seized the Suez
canal. 1endlng IN this direction is the
desire OF the Americans to secure Cuba"
FRANcO-SPA NISH ENTENTE.
Referring to Latin alliances. the Spec
tator, In a long article, points out that
there is no doubt Of the existence Of
special relations between France and
spain, which nave lately been strength
ened. and says:
There are weIl-informed people who
believe that when in the autumn tho
United States and Spain almost coilided,
the United States found there was
Stiffness i'm the Spanish attitude which
could only be accounted for by the fact
that Spain knew she could appeal to a
Power which could not neglect her de-
mands for help"
Continuing. the Saturday Review. ex-
presses the belief that France allowed
the United States 10 understand indi-
rectly that considerations of Importance
TO her would not allow her TO see Spain
treated i'm an unfriendly manner and
that a Spanish appeal 10 France, must
result in the latter's Intervention.
The Saturday Review believes this ac-
counts for the way the United States
'hrank from putting in practice the
treatment OF Spain suggested In tho
)riglnal protests Of the Washington Gov
FOOTBALL AND MURDER
A case which has been heard by Jas
ice Hawkins Is of interest to football
players all over the world. A man was
killed at football, and the prisoner was
harged with mansaughter and Nas
convicted. Justice Hawkins laid Gown
his view Of the law with unmistakabls
'learness. He said that IL man caused
'iolence. whether wilful or by negli-
;ence. TO another. IN such a way as 10
produce DEATH he was guilty OF murder.
md, therefore. trough players OF this
dangerous game" must beware or get
MO serious trouble
The Ju0ge added: "As. however, the
prisoner has exhibited sincere sorrow.
md bears a good character. l will dis
barge him or his own recognizance In
80 ball"