The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-20
IN EXPLOSION MAY FOLLOW.
ENGLISH AND FRENCH MAY CONE
IN CONFLICT on THE NIGER
The French Government Thought to
he EndeavorinR TO Divert the At
tention of Their People From

Copyrighted, 1895 by the Associated Press.
LONDON. Feb. Is-Tne danger Of le2y-
ing explosives about IN the shape Of armed
bands roaming IL disputed spheres under
doubtful officers has been amply Illus
trated IL West Africa. where the Inter
minging OF French and British troops
has brought Up incidents which threaten
complications Happily the positive IN
structions OF both governments have thus
far been obsyed, and an actual collision
has been ayerted. But the nre is lighted.
and unless France withdraws from her
proTocal attitude. or Great Britain con-
tinues the graceful concession policy she
has hitherto observed towards the French
claims, 81 explosion is bound 10 follow
Some explana ton OF the attitude of
France may be found in the desire of It's
government TO turn French minds from
the in9uisiIion that Zola has provoked
whiie II must not be forgotten that the
minister OF foreign affaires, NJ Hanotaux
bears on his shoulders the burden OF cleo
lions close al hand. and has 10 face the
threaienings OF the colonial party 10
swamp the government II it shows the
faiGtsst sign Of yielding
Next week the supplementary estimate
or 10000 for the West African expenses
viii be presented to the house Of COM
mons and an interesting debate may be
expected. Probably the most vital point
is not the possession OF territory. bat the
freedom OF commerce.
Where the French have occuniea the
hinterland Of the British coast. the latter
nave been shut out from interior trade In
me 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 thirty
six British officers and non-comn1issioned
Officers sailed today for West Africa. ac-
companied by immense Quantities of war
munitions
: The Standard this morning commenting
editorialy on the news from West Africa,
says:
The dispatches read by Mr. Chamber
lain are of the very gravest importance
A french officer has established. with q
IhFge force. station at place we regard
as within our sphere. II must be recog-
nized tina; the time has arrived to face the
situation The prospect il serious but no
English cabinet can venture to purchase
peace by abandoning what is considered
an unimpeachable right"
The press continues its warnings that
The situation In West Africa between
France and Great Britain is growing more
critical Ii is impossible 20 abandon the
British flag without loss OF honor. II is
said According TO the Daily Chronicle
France and Germany are casting eyes on
ton.
IL is widely accepted that Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain, the secretary of state for the
colonies, is enueavoring TO put backbone
Into the Marquis Of Salisbury's dealings
with France. Mr. Chamberlain psrsisting
In viewing the matter purely from the
point OF view OF the colonial office and
urging above all things the maintenance
or British interests as a colonizing power
Mr. Thomas Wayness, editor Of the
Speaker. Is responsible for the statement
that Mr. Chamberlain would have pushed
his pro-Brltish policy In Africa 10 the risk
of war, and the Marquis of Salisbury's at
titude in opposing ii therefore lends some
countenance to the report that the queen
has informed the Marquis of Salisbury
that she will never again sign declara-
ticn Of war.
This critical situation on top OF the nu-
mcrous pending questions has rearoused
apprchensions as TO whether the Marquis
q Salisbury Is inclined 70 unduly sacri-
fee the interests Of the empire The de-
bate on the address In reply to the speech
from the throne has finally been closed.
and when the house meets again on Mon
oay II Will be 10 learn the provisions OF
the great measure of the session. the IRISH
local government bill The regular bust
ness will then begin. The public is inpa-
tieIit that something practical should be
accomplished 10 reform and strengthen
the army and TO provide additions for the
navy. The army and estimates for the
current year issued today total up E2o Soc
ep islef goo ooD and ought 10 satisfy the
demands for increased expenditures.
N.ca Admiral NJ. r Makarow leaves ST.
Petersburg today for England on his way
- America. where he proposes 70 pass
some time on board ice-hreakiug boats. in
order 70 gather the latest American
wrinkles Tor use in the ears frozen
harbCrs.
cellent state OF health IS found in the Of
fetal announcement that il Is hcr u1ajesty's
Intention % personally receive the pre-
sontees at the first drawing room OF the
season on February II.
4 case wsIch has been heard by Justice
Hawkins * of interest to football PLAYERS
all over the world. man was killed a,
football and the prisoner was charged
with mansiaughter and was convicted.
JlsUce Hawkins laid down his view % tho
law With Uuu.slakable Clearnezs He
sai1 that IL a man caused violence. whe.h-
er wifuily or hv negligence. 20 and in
such a way as 10 prS38ce death he Vas
guilty Ct muv3~r and therefore rough
players ~ TINS dangerous game" ms. BE-
ware or get into sser*oas trouble. The
isdse added, As. however. the prisoner
nls exsfoted slncre sorrow ard bears a
good character. viii 3Ascaarge hsm on his
own rtcogui-aCce IN SO balL"