The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-18


the World from London says: The Rus
sian ambassador has been directed to
demand from Lord Salisbury. IL Is re-
ported, an explanation OF Mr.. Cham
berlain's assertion that Russia is ineli-
gible for an alliance because Of her per-
fdy. The prevailing opinion is that
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech, in which he
advocated an Anglo-Saxon alliance. was
a Erievous indiscretion. II has excited
sentiment without promising to attain
any advantage. His indirect calling
the car "the devir' is sure. 1t is be-
iieved, to give undying offense in st.
Petersburg.
In the city Of London 1.-THE financial
district) to-day great depression pre-
. vailed. Rumors were flying about that
the government proposes to oner a
. large issue OF exchequer bills to form
a war chest. A further rise In the
bank rate was freely predicted.
Mr.. Chamberlain's main and imme-
diate object is known to force France
to evacuate Brossia, West Africa, even
at the risk of a 1t has leaked out
that In his private talk TO banke last
Thursday Lord Salisbury said that the
West African situation was the most
serious matter the cabinet has now to
O64l WILL. Nil 4 "
] seems well nigh impossible. This an-
I ticipatory declaration by the prime
minister gives gravity TO Mr.. Chamber
lain's speech. which il otherwise might
have lacked because of the universal
suspicion that he was playing simply
his own hand.
A further element of seriousness is
impaired to the situation by the remark
OF the Duke of Cambridge at the rolun-
teer banquet on Friday night that
1 France had been given a month to clear
Z out of Brossia and disputed districts In
West Africa. The duke to-day denies
having said this. bur volunteer officers
present declare that his words were
taken down at the time and passed
around the table to all the guests on a
slip of paper marked confidential"
A variety of circumstances, In short,
tend to cause great anxiety here con-
corning the outlook. which now Is af-
fected by the inspired statement from
French agencies hat the West African
negotiations are progressing satisfac-
torily. Everything seems 10 prove the
worth of the words of an editorial pub
lished broadcast here that Mr.. Cham
beriain's proposal of an Anglo-American
alliance springs from a desire TO draw
us into a war over a miasmatic swamp
in Africa. Among the limited section
OF politicians in parliament favorable TO
such an alliance. the idea of Mr.. Cham
berlain's declaration is treated as alb
surdly in advance of events. while the
bulk of the members OF parliament who
would either he Indifferent or hostile TO
IL, are affronted that a minister should
hawk offers Of a British alliance in the
market place.
Mr.. Chamberlain himself is delighted
over the sensation he has created,
though his jubilation obviously is not
shared by his colleagues. Several MEM
bers of parliament pressed him private
ly tonight for a more exact statement
concerning the danger ahead. He mere
ly replied oracularly: Events Will
Justify" The liberal leaders intend 70
have a debate on his speech at the ear
lest possible moment, which cannot
now be until Friday afternoon.
A drift OF opinion regarding the Amer
lean Alliance may be gathered from ar
ticles in the pricpical papers. except
that the Mail. which has championed
none. now urges II.
The Star, strongly pro-American
says: "T>et us not fall into the error OF
forcing sentiment in a dollhouse OF
s~elfshness. That Is Mr.. Chamberlain
mistake. In this business Of Anglo,
ly TO do more harm than good"
The St. James Gazette remarks: The
good people who fancy that II is all nov
completed but signing a formal treat,
OF offense and defense. are going mucf
too fast, and are likely to do only mis-
chief. The United States have yet &
realize their own salvation and actua
danger but for British support in Flu
rope"
The gush referred 10 by the News Il
supplied by editorials from certain New
York papers. which have been easil!
drawn out by Mr.. Chamberlsin's inter
esting enusiveness.