The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-16
1T rs UP TO MARCHAND,
A WAR MAY Result nETWEEN EN-
GLAND AND FRANCE.
Is Only one Way to Avert 1t, and
That In for France to Complete
ly Evacuate Fnshoda.
ccopyrirhtod. 1898. by Associated press.)


London. October 15.The week opened
with an ominous rafting OF sabers over
FGshoda, and ended with the rumbllngs of
a revolutionary volcano in Paris. The SIT
uation arising out OF the question between
Great Britain and France as TO the right
OF occupying Fashoda Is extremely grave.
Everything hinges on the nature OF the
repoul OF Major AIarchand, the French COM
mander at Fashoda, which is now on its
way from Khartoum to Paris, thanks TO the
courtesy of the British government in per-
hitting one of Marchands officers TO use
the British lines OF communication. Tie
evacuation OF Fasaoda by the French mus,
however, take place if war between Great
Britain and France is to be averted, as the
Marquis Of Salisbury has nailed his colors
10 the mast and can not recede from The
position he has taken up and IN which he
has received the unanimous support OF the
country.
The clear, strong speeches of the liberal
leaders--Lord Rosebery and Mr.. Asquith-
coming, AT this critical moment, we're very
important, in that they demonstrated TO
the world that the liberal party is sol!h
with the government in Ghe stand the lat
ter itas taken on the Soudan question.
The Speaker, the organ of the liberal
party, refers plainly this week to the I'M
possibility of relinqushing the British
claims, AMI points out that II it comes to
war, it viii not be merely for Fashoia,
but for the maintenance of Great Brtaia's
place in the world plus her undoubted
rights.
The Speaker adds: IF We abandoned our
claims EngAshmen would not only lose
the respect OF Others, but would lose their
self-respect and English craftsmanship
wouId be dragged in the mire."
The declarations OF the English press and
public men have already had certain in
fluence across the channel and the ms pred
| statements Of the French press beittle tae
importance Of Fastoda and shift the ground
10 an underlined claim upon the province
OF Baar- Ill Ghazai. anu a port on the Nile
The mouihpiece OF the French foreign Of
rice Is preparing France for the abandon
mert OF FaShoda by asserting that Major
Marchani overshot his goal and that in
stead OF going to Fashoda he ought to have
stopped at the confluencs of the Dahr-El-
Gazal. Many British publfctsts. however.
scout the idea that France will be permitted
10 install herself on the Bahr- Ell Gazal
winch Is described as the paying reef of
the Soudan. All the rest of the recon-
quered territory, as far as Fashoda, is
comparatively valueless being mostly des-
art ground, which can not be made to pay
for many years To come. But the Bahr-El-
Gazal is thickly populated and has magaif-
cent trade prospects. During the govern
orsh!p OF the late General Gorion. Bahr-
El-Gazal had immense exports OF ivory,
grain, besswax skins, etc, while II con-
tanned whole forests of arrowroot. Be-
siies, the cotton grown there surpasses the
Egyptian product.
The Chauvin!st Paris papers are denounc-
ing Great Britain and are doing thar ut
most TO excite French feeling in the matter.
C'her French papers are making bitter
complaints OF Russia's inactivity
Inc Gauiois declares the time has ar
rived for Russia TO repay the service which
France lent her in the Far East by help
ing her against Great Britain by which
the Patrie. aftsr declaring France has
pesn betrayed by the Brisson cabinet, de-
mands the dispatch of an ambassador TO
kins Menellk OF Abyssinia for the pur-
pose OF seeking an alliance with his 800
coo valiant, faithful warriors who will CO.
operate with US IN the event OF hostilities
at Fashoda.'.
The moderate thinking section Of the
French press earnestly advocate peaceful
afangement Of the affair These papers
candidly ad,n& that France is no match for
Great Britain In the event OF war.
There has besn a great deal of talk here
about the possibility OF war with France
a,nd various preparations upon the part of
ne British government are reported 70 have
been made, For Instance, It is annou ,el
tina. Vending small arms firm at B.rm-
sngham was asked this week whether II
Was prepared to turn out thousand maya
zine rifles weekly. Tho significance OF
TINS WI be appreciated When 1t Is pointed
oist that the British government. works
alone Is capable Of turning out 1000 maya
zine rifles weekly.
1t is also rumorei that war assurances
have been affected at Iioyds during the
sst few days but they appear 10 have been
more in the character of bets than trad