Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-01-23
LONDON CABLE LETTER.

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waShee.
LONDON CABLE LETTER.
Crisis in the East MOT Likely to Gull
inmate in War.
Copyright. 1898. by Associated Presa)
LONDON, Jan. 22.-While events are
moving with somewhat dramatic rapid
fty in the East and complications may
any day develop a situation fraught
with nomentous dangers, when the
known facts and position of affairs are
analysed. there is really not much reas-
on at the present moment to suppose
that solution of the crisis will be
found in a resort to war. There Ia reas-
on to believe that the diplomatic c:r-
Giles do not fear that 1t will be neces-
Sary TO appeal to arms. unless (and this
is the dangerous feature OF the Situa-
tlon), Japan breaks from her mentors.
SO far as the European powers are con-
tcerned. the diplomats, throughout, are
satisfied that the Chinese question will
not break the peace of the world; but
they nave already feared that Japan
will prove firebrand. Unless she can
be restrained from impetuous action,
the departure of her fleet from Yoko-
hama today for Chinese waters MAY
prove to be the striking of the match
which may lead to a dread confiagr
ton.
the diplomatic game is most interest
ing. The Marquis of Salisbury is slow
in playing his trumps. but unless Rus
STA and France have some up their
| sleeves. it would aopear that he has
decided advantage for the British pre-
mfer has has forced Russia to show her
hand. She no longer conceaLs the fact
that she regards the whole Manchuria
and the Lio-Tung Peninsula as being
her exclusive prey; but by insisting
al ocf ~ Dow
Arthur. he made a treaty port, the
Marquis of Salisbury has countered the
Muscovite designs on Port Arthur, the
the latter is of little strategic import
ance.
UTrance. of course, resents the propos-
al to open Manning, which clash her
exclusive interests in Tonquin, while
both Russia and France are deeply con-
cerned i'm Great Britains claim to ex-
tend the Burmese railroad into the
Chinese province of 'YuINan. France
has secured privileges in Yu-Nan which
you'd be seriously disconnected by
the British railroad being extended. AS
the Associated Press has indicated
Outstanding between Germany and
Great Britain; but Germany, at the
same time. has so skilfully played her
cards. alternately careSsing st. Peters,
burg and London, that the relations be-
tween both capitals are better than for
"a long time past. The firm, confident
tone of the British ministerial utteran-
ces. emf hasizes that Great Britain does
not intend to recede from the main
points of the position she has taken up
and the cabinet ministers are merely
voicinS the determination of the coun-
try. which recognizes that if Great Brit
ain gives way now, she will only have
to fight the battle in the future, when
the completion of the Siberian railroad
Will render it more difficult to count
a r m "a he
fore. the present situation is admitted
ly pregnant with possibilities, it need
not be assumed that peace is endan-
gered. and war will follow if Great
Britain maintains the ground she has
aiken up. Verbal buster and naval
displays are only the usual accompani-
nents of great diplomatic struggles,
and are intended to test the enemy's
nerve. In the meanwhile it may be
| observed that, while Great Britain is
| unlikely to bulge from the broad prin-
.tple which the chancellor of the ex-
chequer. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach,
enunciated. there are glfmpses of the
fact that the negotiations at Pekin
should not be accepted as necessarily
final.
AS a sample of the credibility attach
able to the various rumors in circula-
ton. the British admiralty explicitly de-
ales the accuracy of the report circu-
lated here on Thursday last as to the
(2,000 additional stokers to be engaged
during the present quarter), and the
immediate commissioning of the re-
serve first class battleship Hannibal,
now at Portsmouth.
As usual there is every explanation of
the sudden rush of British troops to
Egypt-except the night one What
really seems TO have happened is that
Colonel Parsons, while en- route to take
over Kassala. from the Italians, found
King Menelek, of Abyssinia, in the
greatest state of wrath at the surrend-
er Of the town (Which his majesty re-
sarded as part of his don1inion). to the
Egyptians, and he was mobiIizing an
army with the intention of asserting
his authority. If King Mene!ek should
be acting. as suspected, in concert with
the ,Mahd. the danger of the situation
is greatly enhanced, especially il there
is truth in the stories (Which are leak
ing out just now, of the existence Of
dissatisfaction among General Sir
Herbert KFtchener's Soudanese (who
are real fighters), and the reported lack
of backb Sxsss shown by the Egyptians
during the last operations.
1t is rumored that Emperor Francis
Joseph, of Austria. will shortly an
nounce the betrothal of the Arch-Duch-
eSs Eliza beth. daughter OF the late
crown prince Rudolph. to the King of
Spain.