The sun., 1898-12-18

~ y
pressed Ally across the seas. u 81 course
the most Immediately interested Of
European powers, as she hopes to bring
about an alliance in which we may be
afforded an opportunity to help her fight
her enemies. .u.i
But the whole of Europe is agitated
and the cable ia freighted almost every
day with rumors and proposals OF alli-
ances in which the United States is
named as factor.
~
Some of our own emissares credited to
missions abroad have caught the alliance
fever, AZ note the views expressed in
Paris by our Peace Commissioner, Sena-
tor Cushman X. Davis, who is a strong
advocate of an alliance between the
United States, Great Britain and Japan.
He argued that Russia, Germany and
France had secured the great bulk o. the
commercial benefits in China to the ex-
clusion of both the United States and
England and suggested that such an
alliance could have nothing to fear from
any coalition Of other nations, and
that, therefore, it would tend to preserve
the peace. Another enthusiast suggests
that Germany be enrolled in the COM
pact, and others are talking seriously OF
Germany joining hands with France
against England.
Meanwhile Great Britain finding her
self without pledges of support from any
nation keeps on gathering men and mu'
nitions of war for any emergency that
may arise, and her neighbors are no!
slow in following her example. England
continues her aggressive policy, ano
Lord Salisbury has instructed Ambassa
dor Monson at Paris to call the attention
of France to the rights Of England II
Madagascar, under the commercial treaty
which the French authorities have
ignored. but which England will insis
shall be observed. The opinion is ex
pressed that the policy of Lord Salisbur!
Is to squeeze France on the Niger ant
Madagascar treaties in order to get sur
render of the Newfoundland shore:
The six months period wherein tn!
Anglo. French Niger treaty must be rati
fed expired on Wednesday and Ambas
sador Cambon has asked Lord Salisbur,
to grant an extension of three month
for the purpose of modifying its pro
visions.
w
The Anglo Russian issues in China re
main as acute as ever. The Gar con
tinues to mass troops at Port Arthur ant
under his secret treaty with the Chimes
Government is practically master of tn
situation. But England is preparing t.
arm and drill Chinese soldiers and i
strengthening her forces at Hong Kong
One or the other of these Powers mus
eventually give way or tght tor tn
maintenance OF the position it has as
sumed in the far East. Thus it will b
seen from general review of the situa
ton abroad that the United States prom
ises to play an important part in tn
future policy of the Old World. But al
the European nations hope for peace an
if the strain is not too severely tested
NAV be maintained, but the chances al
near to be against it, and if the jingo
have their way the diplomacy of tn
meditators will not prevail.
X"
After thousands of years the socia
wall of China has been broken down b.
the reception at the palace in Pekin Q
the wives of foreign diplomats, and tn
traditions of centuries were torn up b.
the roots. 1t was a remarkable innova
ton. At the entrance to the palace tn
ladies' were met by gorgeously attire
mandarins who led them to the grea
hall where Chinese women of high ran
escorted them to the audience chamber
Upon dais sat enthroned the Dowagt
Empress with the young Emperor at he
left. After some formalities, and tn
Empress had spoken her thanks, til
; foreign ladies were permitted to monl
: the dais to make their obesiance to he
Y The Empress Dowager presented to eac
e of them gold ring, set with pearl
!, placing each ring herself upon the fing'
: for which it was destined.
=, The next function was very sumptl
e GUS luncheon served exclusively in IL
Chinese style, presided over by the Pri
!, cess Ching, in an adjoining hall.
e throng Of princesses and palace fun
- JlODdIlcS VI LlSH loun Pnio ouSiA ASoPSS
to the guests after the luncheon.
The Empress Dowager then entere
q the hall, followed by the Empress-Co
n sort. The former conversed affably wit
!. the foreign ladies' and drank from t!
Il cup of tea served to each of them. 81
- expressed the hope that they were W.
% entertained, and, as if impelled by a su
h den access of sisterly feeling, embrace
n each of them in turn.
Nv
d The wife OF Emperor. Francis JOSEF
It of Austria Hungary fell by the hand
If an assassin only three months ago, al
sr yet the royal ruler, in the hope OF ha
TT ing a direct heir to the throne, It
ID present successor being weakling) h
ot been betrothed to the Princess lsabe
l. of Orleans, daughter Of the late Count
Paris. The Emperor is 6S and his brio
'g elect only % years old.
10 10 W.
=. ~ Royalty is said to seldom weep, hen
the shedding of tears by Queen Victor
i. has excited interest. The Queen
1s Gently gave ''cabin' to the "Sailo
m m Rest" at Devonport, and Miss Westo
at widely known for her work among t
~ n sailors, afterward told the Queen that
~ I sick sailor placed in the cabin asked
: the Queen really gave it out of her p