Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-10-23
downright Associated Press.)

pute over Egypt, nor during the most
acute stage of the Niger differences
between these two countries, has the
situation looked SO ominous as to-day,
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
severish preparations for war, and
though calm reigns at the British dock
yards at Portsmouth, Chatham and
Davenport, it is only the calm OF pre-
paredness and significant orders have
been arriving there from the admiralty
indicating the belief that Great Britain
and France are on the brink OF war.
As M. De BIowitz, the Paris CORE
spondent of the London Times, writes
to-day:
"Never before has there been witness
ed such state of fever as is now pre-
vailing in Great Britain, nor SO great an
exaltation of public feeling over mat
ter of foreign policy, while on her side
France is promptly and rapidly, with
out looking forward or backward, is
prepared to fight any power provoking
her. The French statesmen, however,
still cling to the hope that the Mar
.<quis of Salisbury will offer some ex-
change which will enable them to retire
from Fashoda without apparent sacri-
fee of dignity. This hope is based on
a conversation between Lord Sails
bury and Baron de Courcel (the French
ambassador at London), which figures
in a most important dispatch in the
yellow book, which the French govern
ment will issue tomorrow
1t is learned by the Associated Press
that Baron de Courcel in this despatch
says Lord Salisbury. during the CONVEX
saIioa raierred to. asked him what were
the desires of France in the Soudan, to
which the Baron replied that
FRANCE WISHED AN OUTLET
on the Upper Nile Lord Salisbury
then responded that he could not prom
Use anything, and must consult with his
colleagues on such matter.
Frenchmen infer from this attitude
of the British premier that he is will
ing TO discuss the French claims, and
they even talk of negotiations being in
progress. The English newspapers,
however, vigorously combat this i'm
preston, and warn France not to be
led away by such illusions. They de-
clare that the evacuation OF Fashoda
must precede anything else.
The Times, to-day, referring to the
Fashoda question, says:
at is not we who are trying to humil-
late France; but. it is France that seeks
to put a great humiliation upon us.
We have beaten the Khalifa, and have
effectively occupied the provinces he
usurped. 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 COM
pensation for our title to what We have
Wrested from the Khalifa. This is not
a thing we can
CONSENT TO DISCUSS
upon any such high-handed summons
and there we intend to remain.
Punch hits off the popular feeling in
this matter in cartoon representing
John Bull being pestered by French
organ grinder outside his doorstep. The
organ is labelled "Fashoda." and a
monkey. in French military uniform, is
sitting on the organ, screaming and
beating a tiny drum. The organ grind
err asks:
"yhat you give me if go way?"
John Bull III give you something
if you don't.
The French naval preparations were
at first declared to be mere routine ar
rangements, but they are admittedly
directed against Great Britain. The
Minister of Marine, NJ. Lockroy, is de-
Ispatching orders to all the naval sta
tions along the coast and he is receiv-
ing reports as to their condition. The
French dock yards and arsenals are
working at full pressure, hurriedly pre-
pairing war ships and topedo boats for
active service.
On the British side, a feeling of abso-
,ute self-confidence is displayed
"Eyerything is ready" is the burden
of all the statements from naval quar-
tars. In fact, the British navy has
practically been on war footing for a
wear past, and an authoritative pro-
nouncement to this effect mas come
from the secretary to the admiralty,
Mr. w. E. Ellison Mccartney. Refer
ring to the preparations on the other
side of the channel, he said:
$50 far as the British admiralty is
concerned, the ships, officers and gen.
eral administration
ARE READY NOW
to meet the wishes of the country"
A prominent dock yari official, in
an interview, declared that the cir
cumstances Of the present crisis had
been fully provided for in the mobiliza-
tion scheme. He added that The Brit
ish naval authorities had all their ships
ready and could commission squadron
of cruisers and have them off the
French coast in less than twenty-four
hours This official also pointed out
that It was, not for nothing that the
British naval manoeuvres were put OF
this year. He added that the British
ships ct the present moment have :