Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-24
BritiSh-German Alliance.

llldl AlllduSke
| New York, Ost pa dispatch to the
Tribune from London says: The sailing
of the channel squadron today for Glib
raltar is now regarded by the keenest
| observers as an indication that some un-
expected attack upon British interests
is possible. The magnitude of the pre-
parations of the war. which are out OF
all proportions TO the requirements OF the
military situation, can be adequately ex-
planned on the theory that the govern
ment suspected that some great power
would be tempted to seize the opportu-
nifty for striking a sudden blow or car
| rying out deeply cherished policy.
The quarter from which such an attack
! of this kind may come is unmistakablc.
The Russian press has had license to
criticize the English policy in South Af-
rica in the most acrid way. and rumor
| that Herat may be occupied is already in
/, the air. British commercial interests in
Persia are so large that a Russian seiz-
ure of the commanding position in west
ern Afghanistan would be serious
stroke aimed directly against free trade.
That seems a more likely menace than
| the forcing of the Dardaneles by the Rus
sian Elack sea fleet. The movement of a
powerful French fleet to the Levant CO.
incides with the circulation of a rumor
that the Russian advance may be resum-
ed in Asia while England is preoccupied
at war in South Africa.
Tt also fits in with the explanation of
a secret agreement between England and
Germany. which I have already given in
previous tlispa This was that Eng
| land. IN return for a free hand in South
| Africa in settling the Transvaal ques-
ton, had agreed not to make any hostile
use OF her feet if the German emperor
were to decide to follow up his visit to
Jerusalem with a serious attempt to as
sumo any position in Asia Minor
prominent dplomatst, whom consulted
| yesterday, remarked that the nature of
| the Anglo German agreement was the
| closest secret in diplomatic circles. De-
malls may be expected as matter of
course, but I do not hesitate TO repeat on
high authority that the British navy will
not be used against Germany in the Le-
want and this is the secret of the UNDER
standing that relieves England from all
Intervention in South Africa. Certainly
, Germany is not the quarter from which
England expected that some sudden at
I tack might be made and consequently
has ordered preparations for war on a
larger scale than the campa ign with the
Dutch burghers has justified. The cham
mel squadron will not sail to the Med-
terranean on account of any German
menace.
! The relations of England and Ger
many are most cordial and the emperors
visit next month is a plain indication
! that for practical reasons he is recon-
ciled to a policy which ena bles the Brit
! ish government to reconstruct the Dutch
republics and to bring them under the
| authority OF the crown. England and
, Germany are acting together in the Sa-
/ moan negotiations. but not to the disad-
! vantage Of America. Inded, German policy
is now directed toward the establish
ment OF the most cordial relations with
America as well as England. Gen. Har-
/ risOn. who. with his wife. dned last
night at the house of commons with Mr.
Balfou". to meet the leaders in English
public life. would be a good witness on
this point, for he was entertained hv the
emperor at Potsj,an and by the German
chancellor at Berlin.
The moral effect of the carries: vie
tories was invaluable friy tte as wel
as newspaper and official DISPATCHES cef-
: tify to he amaze ment Of tha cape Co..
/ cay Dutch and tie es,r2n2cnent from
/ the B9tr caUSp Gf those W 40 wf-r. hi h.