Evening star., 1899-02-04
Ambassador Choate's Reputation Has
Preceded Him to England.
ANGLO-FRBNCH WAR POSSIBLE
DisraeIi Fares Badly in PeeIs Pub
Iished Correspondence.
FOREIGN NEWS AND GOSSIP
Copyright, 1899. by the Associated press.)

LONDON, February 4.-Queen Victoria is
to return to Windsor from Osborne
Tuesday next and will receive the new
United States ambassador, Mr.. Joseph H.
Choate, who will present his credentials
before her majesty starts for the Riviera.
Mr.. Choates reputation as a wit and as
a bright after-dinner speaker has preceded
him. The newspapers are full of his witty
sayings and the stories credited to him,
some true, but mostly apocryphal. In fact,
from the moment he sets foot on British
SOIL Mr.. Choate will be expected to cor
uscate like brilliant. AS Mr.. Henry La
bouchere says in Truth:
He will find it hard to live UP to his
reputation for smart, pointed repartee that
our newspapers have made for him. Every
day some fresh witticism is ascribed to HIM
When any one on journalistic staff wishes
to air some particularly fine chestnut he
precedes 1t with Mr.. Choate once"
The Duke of Marlborough went to Os
borne on Thursday and was introduced
and kissed hands on his appointment as
paymaster general. He has also been sworn
In as a prlVy councillor.
The Duchess of Marlborough Is becoming
very active in small public functions. She
is to open bazaar at Hackney next Thurs
day in aid of the Teachers Orphanage
site. These kindly acts greatly promote
her popularity as they entail something
handsome contribution to the funds.
The question of the hour in London is the
stringent order of the police prohibiting
empty cabs from entering the Strand, Bond
street and other busy thoroughfares, and
compelling them to wait on the cab ranks.
NJ. Lockroy's Statement.
An alleged interview with the French
minister of marine, NJ. Lockroy, published
in Rome paper, has created considerable
stir in some quarters in London, as 1t is
held to show that France has in nowise
buried the hatchet but is determined to at
tack Great Britain at the first opportunity.
People here, however, can hardly credit
the veracity of the interview, in which NJ.
Lockroy begins by describing the British
naval organization as being ''all humbug,"
and saying:
THE English have only the brutal force
of numbers"
The minister of marine is also quoted as
declaring that war with Great Britain is
inevitable. and he is said to have added in
conClusion
Let England continue to construct big
warships Our naval program is steel-plat-
ed, powerful, swift cruisers, torpedo-boat
destroyers and submarine boats.
The British newspapers have apparently
taken these utterances seriously and are
urging the government to reply to words
with deeds"
These French menaces seem to accord
with confidential information to the effect
that military and naval circles here are
convinced that France means war, Secret
advices. 1T appears, have been received at
the British war office showing that the
French authorities are noiseessly prepar-
ing for the struggle. In fact 1t is even said,
the Napoleonic idea of an invasion Of Great
Britain is revolving in the minds of the
French military authorities, and at the
present moment a gradual but silent move
ment Of troops Is said to be proceeding
toward the northern coast of France, where
in two months time, it is asserted, about
150, 900 men will be concentrated.
Will Force Frances Hand.
The British war authorities are deter
mined not to wait Frances convenience
but to call her hand, as they did in the
Fashoda incident, and will declare that they
regard this concentration of troops as an
act of war.
In the meanwhile, the British navy Is
paying the greatest attention to gunnery.
The channel squadron this week has been
engaged every morning in firing practice
at moving targets. The results are being
carefully noted.
The publication of Sir Robert Peel's cor
respondence has thrown a strong light on
the late Benjamin Disraehs Qord Beacon
field 81 political morality. 1t is pointed out
that seldom has the lie direct been brought
home so conclusvely. The letters show
Disraeli as abjectly imploring Sir Robert
Peel for Office in 1S41, and that ne also got
his wife to write to him in the same strain,
but without success. Soon after Disraeli
turned on Peel and hurled all kinds of satire
and abuse at him. Peel, in replying TO this
virulent attack, expressed surprise that
DsraeIi should have wanted to join his
ministry, whereupon Disraeli. with unblush-
ing effrontery, rose and said:
Il can assure the house that nothing of
the kind has occurred. l never asked a
favor of the government, and with respect
to my being sOlicitous for office, it is en-
tirely unfounded."
Sir Robert Peel, it further appears with
WONDERFUL self-restraint and respect for the
good fame of the house, refrained from
producing the letters showing that Disraeli
did not tell the truth, but the letters now
published prove Disraelis dishonesty.
ValISyrie III Not to Race.
There is considerable disappointment IN
yachting circles at the news that Valkyrie
III will probably not be fitted out for trial
races with the Shamrock, owing to differ
ences among her owners
The Yachtsman says the Shamrock has
reached the same stage as the Cup defend
er, adding that Fife has decided on the
model and materials, and that it is hardly
possible that anything will occur to change
either partys views, whatever may come
out respecting either boat.
A topical duet. John Bull and Brother
Jonathan" skit on land bbing, is hav-
Ing great vogue in the Paris music halls
In the dialogue, John Bull takes an atlas
he Of