The record-union., 1899-08-06
While No Reasons Are Offered for
the French Minister'S Presence,
It is. Assumed It Has Reference TO the un-
settled Condition Of European Politics.
The Appearance Of the United
States as a World Power Said to
be Primarily Responsible for
the Disturbance Which is at
Present Agitating Foreigners.

Copyrighted, 1885, by Associated Press.)
LONDON, Aug. 5.-Whatever fanci.
full reasons are offered for the visit Of
the French Minister of Foreign Affairs,
M. Delcasse, to ST. Petersburg, it is safe
to assume that it has reference to the
present unsettled condition of Euro
pean politics. The appearance of the
United States as a world Power is pri-
marily responsible for this disturbance,
and there are reported signs of latent
friction between Germany and the
United States, the latest being Admiral
DeweyS alleged Warlike statements
which give European statesmen cause
for uneasiness and are regarded as the
motive for Emperor Williams over
lures for rapprochement with France.
France is still smarting under the
humiliation of the Fashoda affair, and
Is inclined to meet Emperor William,
If once convinced that the Russian
alliance has no real value The pri-
mary object of M. Delcasse, therefore,
is to get public evidence that the alli-
ance holds good by persuading the
Car to visit the Paris Exhibition Of
1900, and also, by personal contact
with the Russian court and statesmen,
to ascertain to what extent the alli-
ance may be relied upon.
The visit of Herr Fischer the special
agent of the Orange Free State, to
Pretoria, is regarded hopefully His
influence 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 effect the franchise
bill will have on the Uitlanders. He
was the spokesman of the Dutch party
when the recent concessions were made
by President Kruger.
The condition of India continues Sc
rious. Except in Bengal practically no
rain has fallen in Western or Southern
India for nearly forty days. The Bonn
bay Government is already considering
means to cope with the famine, which
wiiis,e severe unless rain soon comes.
famine would interfere seriously with
the currency reforms. The natives say
that the luck of the Viceroy of India,
Lord Curzon of Keddleson, is failing.
An old lady has written to Arthur
j. Balfour, the First Lord of the Treas
ury and Government leader in the
House Of Commons who is an enthusi-
astic golf player, Offering a handsome
allowance, payable quarterly, if he will
swear never to play golf on Sunday.
Emperor Williams latest telegram to
the Royal Yacht Squadron, at Cowes,
is reported to have reference to the pc
culiarities of the handicapping, which
puzzled many people here also, and
which is due to different rules being
made on different occasions. After ex-
plantations were given, it is said that
the Emperor expressed himself quite
satisfied. 1t is understood that the
Royal Yacht Squadron was annoyed by
the publication of the Emperor's tele-
gram describing the handicap as zap
palling." but everything is now settled
satisfactorily.
1t is understood that one of the prin-
cipal Government measures of the
coming session will be old age pen
sions. and there is every prospect of a
hot fight over the bill. Many support
ers of the Government are utterly OPP
posed to what they term "socialistic
legislation" the taxpayers are in arms
against the prospective heavy demands
upon the diminishing incomes, and it
is pointed out that no matter how dis
astrous it turns out to be- such a meas
ure could never be repealed in a demo-
cratic country like England. 1t is rec
ognized on every side that increased
expenditure will be requisite to meet
the fierce rivalry of the United States
and Europe, while signs are not lack
ing that Great Britain's income is near
ing high water, and there is wide
spread feeling that this is no time to
sacrifice millions. which might be spent
insuring the country against hostile
fleets. AS to the old age pension
scheme, many people think it would
fatally decrease the sense of duty to-
ward the family and render the citi-
zen less thrifty and energetic.
Lord Pauncefote, the British Embas
sador to the United States, c1ltinues to
receive numberless congratulations on
his elevation to the peerage. A rep
resentative of the Associated Press
yesterday saw piles Of letters and tele-
grams on his table, but, singularly,
none has yet arrived from America.
The ambassador said:
Naturally, I am averse to trumpet
ing my work at the conference. Little
can be said that the world does not
know already. But 1 can express my
solid conviction that a tangible COM
mencement has been made in new
methods of International dealing, es-
pecially in the settlement of the grave
issues which are bound to arise at
times between nations.
ut would be manifestly out of place
for me to discuss the Alaskan uues-
ton I am not sure I am thoroughly
conversant with it's later develop
ments But the good sense, tact and
wisdom of the diplomatists on both
sidese are sufficient guarantee of a
final, honorable settlement I am afraid
excessive praise has been rendered me
for the good understanding which ex-
lists between the two countries. but it
is assuredly dattering, and it would be
affectation on my part to appear to
ignore the happy change which has
come recently, and which none is in a
better position to recognize than the
Emba ssador.
/. Owing to the propagation ahall be
unable to take my seat during tie
present sessions Of Parliament, but