Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-10
LETTER FROM LONDON
Visit of the French Ambas-
sador to ST. Petersburg
IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE REFERENCE
To the Condition of European
Politics.



the Disturbancs-The Fiiipinos Anxious
TO Lease or Buy Banguey Island.
London, Eng, Aug. s. 1T is under.
stood that ono Of the principal govern
ment measures of the coming session
will bc old age pensions, and there is
every prospect of q hot fight over the
bill. Many supporters OF the govern
ment are utterly opposed to what they
term socialistic legislation, the
taxpayers are in arms against this pros.
pective heavy demands uron their
diminishing incomes, and it is pointed
out that, no matter how disastrous it
turns out to be, such measure could
be repealed in democratic country
like England. 1t is recognized on
every side that increased expenditure
will he requisite 20 meet the fierce
rivalry of the United States and
Europe, while signs are not lacking
that Great Britain's income is nearing
high water, and there is widespread
feeling that this is no time to sacrifice
millions which might be spent in in
surfing tho country against hostile
fleets. As to the old age pensions
scheme, many people think it would
fatally decrease the sense of duty
towards the family, and render the
citizen less thrifty and energetic.
Interesting information comes from
the British North Borneo Co., in that
1t has received u request from the
Philippines, asking the company to
Island, just south of Palawan Island
1t is only sparsely inhabited by ma
tives. The Filipinos who are engi.
neering the deal say that, in case of
their defeat, Aguinaldo ard other lead
ers, with large section of the Fill
pinos, may settle at Bapguey, under
British protection and the cumpany's
rule. The board is now considering
| the question, hut it is understood the
company is not averse to leasing the
island, on very favorable terms being
offered
Whatever fanciful reasons are offered
| for the visit of the French Minister of
Foreign Affairs, M. Delcasso, to ST.
Petersburg, it is safe to assume it has
reference to the present unsettled con-
dtion of European politics. The ap.
pearance of the United States as
world Power is primarily responsible
for this disturbance. and there are re-
peated signs of latent friction between
Germany and the United States, the
/ btlHk ndlHlThi tItWtJ dIltEtu
warlike statements, which give Euro
| pean statesmen cause for uneasiness,
and are regarded as the motive of EN-
peror Williams overtures for rap
procurement with France. France is
still snarting under the humiliation of
the Fashoda affair, and is inclined to
meet Emperor William, il once con-
WINGED that the Russian alliance has
no real value. Tho primary object of
Nj. Deloasse, therefore, is to get pub.
lie evidence that the alliance holds
good, by persuading the Gear to visit
the Paris exhibition of 1900, and also
by personal contact with the Russian
court and statesmen, 10 ascertain to
what extent the alliance may be relied
on.
The visit of Herr Fischer, the special
agent of the Orange Free State, to Pre-
tora is regarded hopefully. His in
fluence is expected to lead President
Kruger to accept the proposal of the
British Secretary of State for the Col
-onies, Joseph Chamberlain, for a
joint inquiry into the Franchise bill
will have upon the Outlanders. lie
was the spokesman of the Dutch party
when the recent concessions were made
by President Kruger.
The condition of India continues
serious. Except in Bengal, practically
NO rain has fallen in Western or South
ern India for nearly 40 days. The
Bombay government is already consid-
ering means to cope with the famine,
which will be severe unless rain soon
comes \ famine would seriously inter
fere with the currency reforms. The
natives say the luck Of the Viceroy of
India, Lord Curzon Of Kedleston, is
failing.
Count and Countess Boni de Castel-
lane and their party on board the steam
yacht Valhalla have certainly been the
social success of Cowes week. Their
triumph eliminated in the dinner they
gave on the vessel, Thursday, to the
Prince of Wales Everything con-
nected with the yacht and the Frerch
people aboard were the smartest posi-
Bile. The Countess De Castellane and
the French women accompanying her
completely eclipsed the English women.
They were perfectly dressed on every
.. occasion, while the majority of the
English beauties appeared in most in
appropriate, tiashy costumes. The
arrival of the Valhalla's gig at the
Royal Yacht Squadron's landing stage
, was always the event of the afternoons
/, to the onlookers
George Henry Boughton's admirable
, picture, when the Dead leaves fall, !"
! has been purchased by King Humbert,
D for tho international exhibition at
Venice. 1t will eventually be placed
in the municipal gallery, at Rome.
, The works of Americans at the Venice
: exhibition have been highly eulogized'
and the sales have boon exceptionally
: good.