The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-11
1T FURNISHED A SENSATION.
BURNING OF THEATER FRANCAIS
Is ALL THE TALK.

Question Whether the Fire Was
Caused by an Electric Wire or
Was the Result of MaIevOIence.
1t Will BE Promptly RebuiIt-Eng-
lish JinGOism Has Caused Bad
Feeling in France American
buildings at the Exposition.
Copyright, 1900, by the Associated Press)
Paris, March 10.-Paris, which has been
vainly yearning for a sensation, found am
pie excitement in the destruction of the
Theater Francois. which overshadows
every ouhers topic of interest, and has
afforded the newspapers material for
pages of absorbing reading.
The exact origin of the fire remains IN
known, but it is generally attributed to
the fusing of an electric wire There is
moi little evidence, however. in support
of the assertion that il was dse to malev-
olence. The disaster brought to hight
the extraordinary fact that there is
no fire surveillance whatever in Paris
theaters except during The time of actual
performances. Thus, fire might burn for
hours during the day time without any
one the wiser. Neither the iron stage
curtain, nor the automatic eXtinguishing
sprays in the ceilings were found TO be
in working order.
Little damage is noticeable from the
outside of the building, as the main hall
of the theater. surrounded by galleries in
which are situated the office and dressing
rooms, is still standing, and it is now
hoped that it will be possible to recon-
struct the interior without rebuilding this
wall. The government is acting promptly
and has decided that the work of recon
ctv1rI 1nn1 4;
For this purpose a credit of 5000, 600 francs
will be asked.
Anti-British Feeling.
There has been a recrudescence of An
glophobia in a section of the Partisan
press this week which effects to believe
that war between England and France
forms a part of the determined policy of
Mr. Chamberlain and the British imperial
lists VINO intended to bring it about on the
conclusion of peace in South Africa. The
/ heilicose attitude of the lingo organs in
England is undoubtedly part Y responsible
for this animosity, but much of this anti
British campaign is part of the under
handed reactionary propaganda against
the government and the republic.
M Yves Guiot denounced this fostering
of the idea that war with England is in
evitable by the anti-Republican press, in
an article in La Steele, in which he stig-
matted it as the work of national treach-
cry.
The growing hatred between the two
countries is certainly a matter of anx-
iety to the French government which it
self does now and has always maintain
ed a most correct attitude towards Eng
land.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press here has talked with an official of
the government whose duty it is to 70 low
Frances foreign relations. He admitted
that the present state of public feeling on
both sides of the channel was becoming
dangerous to the maintenance of AMIGA
BILE relations
Caused by lingo Press.
This feeling" he said, lis mainly Gre
ated by the provocative attitude of the
English lingo press, which is unani-
nous in attacks upon France that they
would seem come from mot d'ordre.'
Public feeling in almost every country,
including a considerable number of Amer
leans, is against Great Britain in the
Transvaal war, yet France alone is singled
out for these attacks There is no ques-
ton pending between the countries grave
enough in itself to lead to hostilities, but
if the present mutual feeling of animosity
continues ! cannot say what may hap
pen. The French government is prepar-
ing for any emergency. Our weak spot
in case of war would have been the
colonies, but when the measures now be-
ing taken are completed they will be be-
You'd the possibility of capture or invas-
ion. Algeria and Tunis are of course,
out of the question and the governments
efforts are directed toward securing the
safety of the outlying colonies, such as
Tonquin, Madagascar, the West African
settlements and the West Indian Islands.
Stores, ammunition and improved arma-
ments are being provided"
At the Exposition.
An examination of the condition of the
exposition works shows that the Ameri-
cans should be satisfied with the progress
of the American section compared to that
of other countries. The facades are near
ly completed in the manufactures and ag-
ricultural departments and work has be-
gun on every American section, while
even France has not yet done any of this
construction In most of her space. United
States Commissioner Peck is busy this
week pushing matters forward. He said
to the correspondent of the Associated
Press that some of the buildings cannot
be ready before the date set for the
opening Of the exposition for installation
of exhibits, and some departments will
be incomplete for weeks after that date,
but the exposition will be formally open