Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1900-03-29
MEx WAR IN SIGHT.
Collision Seems Imminent Between
France and England.

France and England.
The military situation in South Africa
now occupies secondary place in the
attention of the British Government, and
q London correspondent asserts that the
entire resources of the empire are being
utilized in preparations to meet graoer
danger nearer home.
No other Interpretation Is possible of
the extraordinary measures for defense
undertaken by the Government, which in
creased instead of diminishing after the
tide of war had turned in the British
favor. Preparations for naval mobiliza-
tion, the Queens personal call for volun-
teers, the Governments appeal to the
colonies to prepare to put every available
man in the field, the Queens abandon
ment of her proposed continental trip,
her sudden decision to visit Ireland, the
premature issue of the budget, and the
floating of the popular war loan came in
quick succession. Apprehensions became
more definite when it was learned that
France had tried unsuccessfully to in
duce the Sultan to reopen the Egyptian
question.
While the fact that there is at present
no subject of diplomatic controversy be-
tween France, or Russia, and Great Brit
ain apparently tends to minimize the
chances of a clash, there seems to be no
reason to doubt that these countries have
been constrained to recognize the dangers
latent in the present attitude of the
French public. Not even when the Fa.
shoda incident Vas under discussion have
the French people manifested such hos
tility toward England as they show at the
present time The action of the French
Government in strengthening its defenses
at various colonial stations seems to ind.
cate that, while it officially maintains ito
PACIFIC relations, it recognizes that the
stress of public sentiment might become
TOO strong to admit of further continued
restraint in case some slight point OF
difference should arise.
Ii is impossible just now TO discover
any pretext which should give occasion
for hostile maneuvers on either side, but
Great Britain now, as at the time of the
Fashoda affair, is evidently holding itself
in readiness for any emergency. The mo-
biliZation of the fleets and the call upon
the colonies for more troops lin case
Of dangers threatening from other quar-
ters" are significant; and it must not be
left out of account that Russia at a
critical time still keeps a force lowering
along the border of Afghanistan. Per
haps the most reassurng feature of the
situation is the fact apparently that Rus
sia is not yet ready to act. Great Brit
ain seems to be well on the way to vic
tory in South Africa, and with every
British success the inducements for for
eign intervention are lessened. 1t is not
to be believed that the French Govern
ment would willingly act on the aggres-
sive without an assurance of the support
Of its nominal ally.
Russia, apparently, is the key to the
situation, which, if not menacing, is at
least sufficiently grave to have caused
anxiety among even the more sober mind
ed and more thoughtful Frenchmen.
Without Russia, France would be play
ing dangerous game to aggravate any
further the present strained situation.
Whether or not, in case France did over
step the bounds and Great Britain's at
tention were to be divided between two
wars, Russia could refrain from making
use of its opportunities is a question.