The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-12
lis Claimed, But Impartial Observers Say
1 Compromise Vas Effected.
CONSERVATIVE CABINET TROUBLED
Navy Estimates Are Unusually Large,
and Deficit Will Likely Result
Cecil Rhodes Will Visit Ber-
ln-After the Khalita.

London, March 1.-THE British lion and
the Russian bear came to uncomfortably
| close quarters this week over the Chinese
imbroglio The newspapers had already be-
| gun to talk of a serious crisis and a grave
outlook, but the diplomatic switchmen
| again succeeded in warding off a collision
on the subject of the northern railroads. a
conflict being averted by Russian back
down, according to the jingoes, and by a
compromise, according to more impartial
observers.
me real explanation of the affair seems
to be that Russia made a protest against
the British railroad contract, partly as a
feeler and partly as warning. If the
British premier had shown weakness Rus
sia would have persisted; but in any case,
Russia, by her protest, ELECTED a minis
terial statement from the house Of COM
mons on the condition that the loan did not
constitute foreign control. Thus Russia
obtained a pledge that no such interpreta-
ton would be placed on the contract in
the event of default, which is a further
substantial concession to the Russian
claims in northern China.
Lord Salisbury Scored
On the other hand, Lord Salisbury scored
in securing a withdrawal of the Russian
protest. But Russia also gained point
with which she had good reason to feel
satisfied.
The Times thinks Lord Salisbury achieved
considerable success, which must un-
questionably strengthen Great Britains po-
sition in Pekin. The paper, however, also
sees in tba a5iuctmapt Of tho dieoufa a
triumph for the pacific and concliatory
elements of Russian craftsmanship and,
above all, practical expression of the
czar's determination to meet Great Britain
half way in the removal of all the regret
able MISUNDERSTANDING which have hith-
erto kept Great Britain and Russia apart.
The Times adds hat it is sure the Brit
ish government is prepared to give fuller
recognition to accomplished facts in the
northern Chinese provinces and to assist
Russia in regulating her position on the
basis of reciprocity. This remark of the
Time shows the British now accept the
Russiafication of Manchuria as an accom-
plished fact, and they only expect their
government to secure compensation In
other directions.
The conservative government has got
itself into financial straits. The publica-
ton of the naval estimates completes the
various items of national expenditure,
crease of $22 1856 900 over the estimates. 1t
Is probable that there will be a deficit OF
over $4,000 900, which 1t is expected will be
met by a re-imposition OF the former to-
bacco duty and an increase Of the income
tax to nine pence.
A Ray OF Sunshine
A ray of sunshine in the financial situa-
tion is seen in the apparently booming
state as shown by the board of trade re-
.1,av ehnx
an increase of $500 900 as compared with
| 1898, Indicating that the purchasing power
of the country Is still growing. These
satisfactory figures help the chancellor OF
| the exchequer in taking a hopeful view Of
| the revenue for the coming year, but they
| will not avert tho necessity Of new taxa
| ton.
Emperor williams message to Rudyard
Kipling has naturally attracted great at
tention, particularly the reference to "our
common race" The first impression here
was that Emperor William thought Kip
ling was an American, especially as the
German papers referred to the American
Author Kipling," but this impression Is
quite erroneous. The emperor was a
reader of Kipling's writings long before
he settled in America. His majesty, how
ever, knows that Kiplings wife was an
American, and it is thought he intended to
include America when he spoke OF the
common race"
The Spectator In an article remarks:
"It must be a singular experience even
for Kipling, to wake up from serious
Illness and find two great peoples have
been Interested in his fate, that an en-
peror has grieved for him in words having
the weight of a political manifesto, and
that his value to publishers has been in
creased by hundreds, perhaps by thousands,
year"
Rhodes Visit to Berlin
The English papers are 5ubilant at the
prospects of the success of Cecil Rhodes
visit to Berlin, and his coming audience Of
Emperor William, which, 1t is said,
promises we'll for the Cape to Cairo rail-
road 1t is remarked that 1t will be Curl
GUS meeting between the prime mover in
the Jameson raid and the author OF the
imperial telegram to President Kruger, OF
the Transvaal republic. Mr.. Rhodes, II Is
understood, is prepared to offer Germany
freer access to the line and certain con-
troll. over that portion traversing German
territory. Germany would secure jmpor-
taut concessions and running powers over
the whole Rhodesian railroad system
The latest advices from the Soudan min
imfze the strength of the khalifas forces,
though 1t has been practically decided to
send an expedition to finally dispose Of
him.
General Lord Kitchener, OF Khartoum,
will shortly make an extended tour of the
eastern Soudan, visiting Kassala Suakim
and Gederef.
A squadron of cavalry has been dispatch
ed from Omdurman up the White Nile to
prevent supplies being furnished clandes-
timely to the khalifa's camp In Kordofan.
Several cases have recently come to light
pointing to the prevalence of a widespread
system of secret commissions.
The London chamber of commerce ap-
pointed COMMITTEES TO investigate the mat
ter and report this week. 1t shows that