The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-20
FUSE OF WAR is ALIGHT
EXPLOSION IN WEST AFRICA POs-
sIBLE AT ALMOST ANY TIME
sive Attitude or Great Britain
Continues Her Policy of Graceful
Concessions a Collision Cannot
Well Be Avoided On Gold Coast.

LONDON. Feb. 19-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 interminglipg of French and
British troops has already caused Incl
dents which threaten grave compli-
cations. Happily, the positive instruc-
tons Of both governments have thus
far been obeyed and an actual collision
has been averted. But the fuse is
alight, and unless France withdraws
from her provocative attitude, or Great
Britain continues the graceful conces-
sion policy she has hitherto observed
towards the French claims, an explo-
sion 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 inquisition M. lola has pro-
voked, while it must not be forgotten
that the minister Of foreign affairs NJ.
Eanotaux. bears upon his shoulders the
burden of elections close at hand and
has to face the threatenings of the
colonial party to swamp the government
If 1t shows the faintest sign of yield
ing.
Next week the supplementary esti-
mate of f150, 900 for the West African
expenses will be presented to the house
CT commons ana an Interesting QeDdI6
may be expected.
Probably the most vital point is not
the possession of territory, but the
freedom of commerce. Wherever 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 navigation of that
great waterway as an avenue of trade
for the world is at stake.
Another batch of th1rty-SiX British
officers and nom commissioned officers
sailed today for West Africa, accom-
panied by immense quantities of war
munitions.
Salisbury Blamed.
This critical situation, on top of
numerous pending serious questions,
has rearoused apprehension as to
whether the Marquis Of Salisbury is
inclined to unduly sacrifice the inter-
ests of the empire.
The debate on the address in reply
to the speech from the throne has final
ly been closed, and, when the house
meets again on Monday it will be to
learn the provisions of the great meas
ure Of the session, the Irish local gov
eminent bill The real business of the
session will then begin.
The public is impatient that some
thing practical should be accomplished
to reform and strengthen the army
and to provide additions for the navy.
The army estimates for the current
year, issued today, total $104, 9O40S5,
and ought to satisfy the demand for
increased expenditure.
There is a curious discussion in the
Spanish press as to the possibility of
confederating the Latin republics of
South America with Spain, against the
United States. Ell Pals contends that
the Spanish republics are weak through
isolation, and that, if united in a mil
itary and diplomatic alliance, they
would the first power In the world in
territory, the second in population, and
that their armies and navy would have
sufficient power to insure respect
The papers point out that the jeal-