The evening times., 1898-12-12
have been going on amlcably and satisfac-

have been going on amicably and satisfac-
toTily for some time.
1t is only toward France that England
is silent and cold. Why? This deliberate
silence on the part of England is mex
plicable. well uniustifiable, in the
minds Of the French.
What is the key TO the mystery?
This is one of the questions political cir
cles are discussing eagerly. even anxious
ly. Another Is, What is the meaning of
the prolonged stay here made this year
by the Russian grand duke? In general
his visit lasts about month, but. this
time IT has been prolonged over two
months. The people believe state reasons
are the cause.
You will remember when the Fashoda
incident was here everybody believed mis-
mission was 10 counsel submission for the
present. IL is certain England is ready
for war now. IL is equally certain neith-
or France nor Russia is.
Some even declare that the Russian
minister, MuraTieff, informed the govern
ment that Russia could not undertake
war even with the help of her ally before
the end of three years. Grand Duke Via
dimir is believed 10 have been charged
with a somewhat similar duty.
He was in communication while here
with President Faure and the Cabinet
! ministers, with Nj. Delcasse in particular,
we'll as NJ HanotauS, who. in spite of
his temporary eclipse, is one of the re
serve forces I'm the foreign affairs de-
partment
There's curious rumor current in in
ner diplomatic circles about the Grand
Duke Vladimir's mission. He is said to
have counseled rapprochement with Ger
many. although il has been impossible so
far 10 find out to whom this advice, which
virtually amounts To warning, was
given.
Whether to NJ. Faure, NJ. Delcasse or
! NJ. HanotauN, this much is believed TO be
4 certain-he told one of the three that
France must make up her mind which ma
ton she preferred az an enemy. and TO
effect an agreement with the other one;
that IL was impossible for her TO remain at
enmity with both England and Germany
without weakening herself so as TO be At
the mercy of either. In the grand duke s
/ opinion. so ii is said. a rapprochement
with Germany would be preferable from
every point OF view.
In order TO effect this a reconciliation
with Italy was Indispensable. The Franco
Italian treaty was the'first step in this di-
recIion.
I II Is just possible that the solid form
the discussion Of closer relations with
Germany has taken lately IS the organize
effort 10 resuscitate the NapoleoniC
scheme Of European coalition against Eng
. land. Time viii show whether ii will be
more successful this time
Some diplomatists argue that telegraphiC
ard railway communication has so chang
ed conditions that England would be help
less before such a combination as union
OF all Europe, but they forget that such
an argument is double edged. England
can also profit from the railways and tee
graphs.
The Journal announces that the En-
peror Of Austria is thinking of marrying
/ again. The Archduke Ferdinand the
heir apparent, is SO i'll that the journal
in order 10 prevent the Hapsburgs from
dying out.
4 glance at the Almanach de Gotha
would undeceive our contemporary. ANY.
how. il says the chosen fiancee i III,
Princess Isabelle dOrieans. third daugh
ter Of the Comte de Paris and a sister oi
the Due q Orleans. She is twenty year:
old and the Emperor OF Austria is sixty.
eight. This is the age. according to Ma
poleOn : doctor Wnen one Is sure OF hav.
ing children.
Apropos OF this. the Due d'Orleans is
said 10 he seeking a divorce on tn,
ground that he has no heir give tn.
report for what it IS worth but i'm roy.
alist circles the Duo is said TO have al
ready approached the Pope on the mat
ter
Napoleon's misfortunes. il seems. be
gan with his divorce from Josephine
VIII the Duo d'orleans have better luck