The Worcester spy., 1898-10-23
Is the Faslloda
Situation.
REPAIRING FOR WAR
France and England's Dis
pute in Most Acute Stage,

Copyright, 1898, the Associated Press. J
London, Oct. 22.-Ever since Great
Britain and France began to dispute
over Egypt, nor during the most acute
stage of the Niger differences between
those two countries, has the situation
looked so ominous as today
In spite of the hope expressed in the
sober journals of both countries that
the matter would be amicably arrang-
ed, it is a fact that the French naval
and military authorities are making fe-
verish preparations for war, and though
calm reigns at the British dockyards
at Portsmouth, Chatham and Devon
port, 1t is only the calm of prepared
ness, and significant orders have been
arriving there from the admiralty in
dicating the belief that Great Britain
and France are on the brink of war
As Mr.. De Blowitz. the Paris CORES
pondent of the London Times writes
today:
Never before has there been witness
ed such a state of fever as is now pre-
vailing in Great Britain, nor so great
an exalation of public feeling over a
matter of reign and policy, while on her
side France is promptly and rapidly,
without looking forward or backward
is prepared to fight any power provok-
ing her The Frech statesmen, how
ever still cling to the hope that the
Marquis of Salisbury will offer some
exchange which will enable him to re-
tire from Fashoda without apparent
| sacrifice of dignity. This hope is based
on conversation between Lord Sails
bury and Baron de Coureel (the French
ambassador at London), which figures
| in a most important dispatch in the
| Yellow Book, which the French gov
| ernment will issue tomorrow.
| 1t Is learned by the Associated Press
that Baron de Coureel, in this dispatch
says Lord Salisbury, during. the CONVEX
| sation referred to, asked him what were
! the desires of France in the Soudan
| To which the baron replied that France
wished for an outlet on the Upper Nile
Lord Salisbury then responded that ht
could not promise anything, and mus
consult with his colleagues on sucl
matter.
Frenchmen infer from this attitud,
/ of the British premier that he is willing
to discuss the French claims, and they
even talk Of negotiations being in pro.
gress. The English newspapers, how.
ever, vigorously combat this impres-
sion. and warn France not to be lee
away by such illusions. They declare
that the evacuation of Fashoda mus
precede anything else.
The Times today, referring to the
Fashoda question, says.
1t is not we who are trying to humili-
ate France; but it is France that seeks
to put a great humiliation upon us. We
have beaten the Khalifa and have eff
| fectively occupied the provinces he us
| urped We are now asked to clear out
at the orders of an exploring party OF
nine Frenchmen, who owe their es-
cape from destruction to our military
success; or, if we are kindly permitted
not to clear out, we are to pay a com.
pensation for our title to what we have
wrested from the khalifa. This is not
a thing we can consent to discuss upor
any such high-handed summons. We
are there in effective occupation, anC
there we intend to remain.
Punch hits off the popular feeling il
the matter in cartoon representing
| John Bull being pestered by a French
organ grinder outside his doorstep. The
organ is labelled "Fashoda," and c
monkey, in a French military uniform
is sitting on the organ, screaming ant
| beating a tiny drum. The organ-grind
er asks
What you give me if go away?"
John Bull-"Tll give you something
! if you don't"
The French naval preparations were
at first declared to be mere routine ar.
rangements, but they are now admit
tedly directed against Great Britain
| The minister of marine, M. Lockroy, /:
! dispatching orders to all the naval sta
tions along the coast, and he is receiv
/ ing reports as to their condition. The
French dockyards and arsenals arr
working at full pressure, hurriedly pre-
pairing warships and torpedo boats foi
| active service.
On the British side the feeling of alb
solute self-confidence is displayed. "Ev
er ready" is the burden of all the state
ments from naval quarters. In fact
the British navy has practically beer
on a war footing for a year past anC
an authoritative pronouncement to this
| effect has come from the secretary O
the admiralty, Mr.. w r. Ellison Mac
artney. Referring to the preparation;
on the other side of the channel h
said:
so far as the British admiralty il
concerned. the ships, officers and gen
eral administration are ready now t
meet the wishes of the country
A prominent dockyard official, in al
interview. declared that the circum
stances of the present crisis had beei
scheme. He added that the British ma
! val authorities had all their ships read!
and could commission a squadron o
cruisers and have them off the Frencl
coast in less than "a hours This Off
cial also pointed out that it was no
for nothing that the British naval man
euvers were put off this year. He add
ed that the British ships at the presen
moment have a larger supply of Goa
on board and available. and a large
stock of provisions than ever known
before.
The British ministry appears to hav,
one foot in the grave and it's prospects
of lasting long beyond the opening O
parliament are very dubious. Tht
French premier is attacked on all side.
and it was thought he would try to Sc
cures the support of the moderates t.
carry him through the session. But, hi!
list of new projects, issued this week
shows that moderate officials have
mostly been replaced by radicals. Thi.
has exasperated the inoderates, whl
declare the ministry has thereby signed
its own death warrant.
interpretations from deputies on tn,
governments policy at home ant
Iabroad are pouring in NJ Cavaignac
the former minister of war. intends t,
attack the government on the question
| (Cnntiuued on Third Page