, 1898-10-20
FRANCE
ENGLAND'S CHANCELLOR Of THE
EXCHEQUER'S WAR!.IKE
UTTERANCBS.
Britain Will Fight Rather Than SUR
render Claims to Fashoda-Plenty
Of Room in Africa For Both Ma
tions-Powers Asked to Recognize
Each Nations Title to Land.

Each Nations Title to Land.
London, Oct. 19.-Sir Michael Hicks
Beach, chancellor of the exchequer,
speaking at North Shields this even
ing, announced that the government
had opened negotiations with the pow
ers with a view of securing to the sub
jects of the various powers the right
of developing the respective spheres
terested."
Regarding the Fashoda question he
said he wished cordially to acknowl-
edge the desire evinced in the speeches
of Lord Roseberry and Herbert As
quith to help the government in the
matter, "a matter which might de-
velop into the utmost gravity"
st is impossible" he continued, "for
France to maintain that she had po-
litical rights at Fashoda. She asked
for time to receive Major Marchand's
report, but until the contrary is proved
I decline to believe that France will
refuse to withdraw. If she refused,
the matter would assume an aspect as
grave as is possible between two great
nations.
THE government is animated by the
friendliest spirit towards France and
does not wish to inf1ict humiliation.
What we desire is fair treatment. Our
work in Egypt is not complete. Afri-
"a is big enough for us both-for
France in the west and ourselves in the
east. Surely we ought to be able to
agree to respect one another's rights
and claims.
II hope, trust and believe the ques-
tion Is capable Of a friendly solution,
but this country has put her foot down.
II unhappily another view should be
taken by France the queens ministers
know what their duty demands.
1T would be a great calamity II. at
ter peace for upwards Of eighty years.
our friendly relations should be dis
turbed and we should be launched into
a great war. but there are greater evils
than war. and we shall not shrink from
anything that is coming, knowing that
we are supported by a united people,
The speech Of Sir Michael Hicks
Beach has deeply impressed England,
and the utmost concern is felt as to
how France will receive 1t. The idea
has been prevalent that the French
have not realized how seriously Eng
land felt over the Fashoda question,
which has been coupled with a desire
that France would not force England
to an armed support of Lord Sails
bury's stand.
Most of the morning papers elaborate
some of the exciting descriptions of
the %belligerent preparations OF France.
The Paris correspondent OF the Daily
Mail says:
IN Tulon and Brest every nerve is
strained to get ready for war, which
may break out on short notice. The
Paris press is growing more and more
determined to back up extreme meas
ures. even a resort to arms. The French
have been excessively piqued by the
threatening tone of the English pa
pers, which is a more likely casus belli
than the mere question of Fashoda.
Consequently, the trouble here is
grave. There are reports Of troops
hurrying from Paris to Brest
and Toulon. The artillery in the bat
teries and at the various ports have
been confidentially instructed for any
emergency. and the cannon at all the
forts and batteries are all ready for
action at any moment. Today there
was a prolonged war council at Brest
Of the chiefs Of the various services,
and M. Lockroy is hastily returning to
Toulon on account of the gravity of
the situation"
The Paris correspondent OF the
Standard says: III England keeps on
saying that Marchand must go, France
will reply that Marchand will stay,
and, II he be removed forcibly, there
can be little doubt as to what the con-
sequences will be-"
On the other hand the Paris cores
pendent Of the Daily Graphic says:
II have good reasons for stating that
Count Muravief (the Russian foreign
minister) has discouraged French re-
~sistance in the matter Of Fashoda."
Most of the papers. however, refuse
to accept the explanation that French
activity is merely in pursuance OF M.
Lockroy's scheme. Several exhort the
government to answer the preparations
Of France by mobilization of the Brit
ish feet.
Some Of the more conservative or
eans. notably the Times, practically
ignore the French movements and de-
chine to perceive any war cloud.
The Daily Chronicle remarks:
"Sir Michael Hicks-Beach has been
ct 1t again. He b = dangerous man.
He has honesty. without tact"
OXher pagers hint that the plain
speaking Of the chancellor ct . time
when . crisis = approaching = IN in
kS~cra<Lon