The news & observer., 1898-02-20
TO CHECK UNITED STATES
SPECIAL RELATIONS EXIST Be
TWEEN FRANCE AND SPAIN.
BRITISH AND FRENCH INTEREST CLASH
African Situation Full of Grave Complications
Control of the Niger and Free NaVga-
ton at Stake. Ruling on Killing
of Football PLAYER.


Copyright 1893 by Associated Press.l
London, Feb. 19.-The danger of leavr
ing explosives about in the shape cf
armed bands roaming in disputed
spheres under youthful officers, has
been amply illustrated in West Africa
where the ;ntermingling of French and
British troops has already caused incl,
dents which threaten the most grave
complications. Happily, the positive i'm
structons of both governments have thus
far been obeyed and an actual COLL
sion has been averted. But tEe fuse is
alight' and unless France withdraws from
her provocative attitude, or Great
Britain continues the graceful conces-
sion policy she has hitherto observed to-
ward the French claims, an explosion
is bound 10 follow.
Wherever the French have occupied
the Hinterland of British coast colonies,
the latter have been shut out from
interior trade. In the 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 detachment of thirty
siy British commissioned and nOn-com-
missioned officers sailed to-day for West
| Africa. accompanied by immense ql,aI-
titles of war munitions. This critical
situation, ON top of numerous pending
serious questions. has Te-arOused appre-
tensions as 10 whether. rightly o.
| wrongly held. the Marquis of Salisbury
is inclined to unduly sacrifice the inter
ests Of the Empire AS even the un-
alarmlst Statist points out, the troubles
augment.
There is a curious discussion in the
| Spanish press as to the possibility of
| c0nfederating the Latin republics OF
South America with Spain, again the
| United States. FL Pals contends that
| the Spanish republics are weak through
isolation. and ttat if united in It military
and diplomatic alliance they would be
| the first power in the world in terri
tory, be second in population, and that
| their armies and navics would have suf-
iici@nt power TO insure respect.
| The papers point out that the jcal-
ouS.es of the republics prevent them
| from taking the initiative, but Spain. it
is claimed, ought to urge her lazy diplo-
mats 90 approach thc republics with rhe
| view OF combining for the defense of the
Latin interests endangered by the in
trusiOn of the AnglO-SnXonS." El Pals
| thinks Spain's advice would not he dis
cartled if she warned Latin America
against the United States, adding:
For it is well known that the greedy
/ yankees, once the Panama Canal is
| opened 10 the worlds commerce, will do
| all which their periidy can suggest to
/ wrcst il from the latin countries of Cen
| tral America. even as England seized
the Sucz Canal Tending in this direc-
tion is the desire of the Americans to
secure Cnha.'
| R6fcrring TO Latin alliances the Spec
tator In long article points out that
there Is no doubt OF the existence of
special relations between France and
Spain, which have lately been strength
ened, and says: There are well in
formed peop.e who believe that when in
the autumn, the United States and Spain
almost collided. the United States found
there was IL stiffness in the Spanish at
titude which could only be accounted
for by the fact that Spain knew she
could appeal to a power which could
; not neglect her demands for help"
J, Continuing, the Saturday Review ex-
presses the belief that France allowed
: the United States TO understand ind-
rectly that considerations of Importance
10 her would not allow her to see Spain
treated in AN unfriendly manner, and
that Spanish appeal to France must
result in the latter's intervention.
{ The Saturday Review believes this ac-
4 counts for 1.-The way the United States
/ shrunk from putting in practice the
: treatment of Spain suggested in the
original protests of the Washington
government"
"A case which has been heard by JUS
tice Hawkins is of interest to foot-bah
players all over the world. A man was
! killed at fCGt-ball and the prisoner was
charged with manslaughter and was
5 convicted. Justice Hawkins laid down
his view of the law with unmistable
2 Eclorness. He said that if a mcln caused
5 violence, whether wilfully or by negli-
| gence to another. in such n way as to
produce death, he was guilty of muir
der and therefore trough players of this
t dangerous game" must beware or get
' into serious troulEc.
t The judge added:
: AS, however, the prisoner has exhib-
/. tied sincere sorrow and bears a good
character, | will discharge him on his
own recOgnizance in 30 pounds sterling
bail"
: WASHINGTON II C Irah 10 INonrtI,