The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-07


such point that the Kaiser. ready as he is
just row to support England, cannot neg
lect it.
Lord Salisbury is in fact, between the
devil and the deep sea. Either he must
risk cmbroiling England with half of Eu-
rope by saying the word which will give
England control of Delagoa Bay, German
public opinion being arpeased by the an
ncuncement of Germany's substantial quid
pro quo elsewhere, or he must by keeping
his Delagoa Bay card in reserve till quicter
times leave this German furore over the
: seizures of German ships to drive the Ger
man Government into alienation from Eng
land
The IonE-Guardcd Secret.
The belief in authoritative quarters here
is that he will take the former risk and
let tne public into the long guarded Della
goa Bay secret, just so soon as certain de-
tails have been arranged with Portugal
For that purpose high British diplomatic
official in whose hands this matter has
largely rested for several years left Lon
don on Friday OF Est week, and is still at
Lisbon. Unless, therefore. an entirely new
aspect is given to the question. il is prob
able that before the prize court at Durham
has given judgment on the seizures. Eu-
rope win be in the throes of a Delagoa Bay
crisis. That. at least, is the present ex-
pectation in English official circles.
The strange history of this Delagoa Bay
affair has been partly uufolded in these
dispatches. There never probably was an
international compact which has been sub
jcct TO more denials and hopelessly con-
ficting assertions Herein it is a prime
Illustration OF the welI-knovn diplomatic
maxim that there is only one sure way Of
keeping an international secret namely. TO
allow a cloud of contradictory reports 10
envelop the whole question. till the public
disbelieves everything. But. despite this
cloud of rrmors, the facts are simple
enough, as related yesterday by one who
has long had intimate official dealings with
South African problems and speaks with
peculiar authority as regards Delagoa Bay. |
Delay Only Blind.
He fully confirms the often-expressed |
belief that all this talk OF delay on the part !
Of the Swiss arbltrators is a mere blind. |
Ever since the end of 1896, Lord Sails !
bury. acting. of course. in concert with the l
Kaiser Government. has only had to raise
a finger 10 ensure the delivery OF the
award at two weeks notice. England and
Germany have not wanted the award de-
Iivered until they we're ready for it. and
The Swiss arbitrators. receiving $4,000
gear so long as arbitration lasts. are not
likely 10 prove obstreperous; but the sci
zure OF German vessels puts new face
IN the question, and the award may now
Je expected very soon.
Portugal must then raise the money 10
Jay the award and her most accessible
lsset is her colonies. Hence England's
compact with Germany, that when the time
4 Portugal's need comes DeIasoa Bay
hould pass under British control, subject
TO the retention OF Portuguese
oyereignty, SO as to save the Kings face.
nd Germany should get other Portuguese
lums. also at a price. Portugal, still I'M
cr old treaties the protege Of England.
ell into Englands arms like a Fainting
oman, to use Sir Alfred Miners phrase,
nd we seem nov on the eve OF the compile
on ., the deal.
When asked what. in diplomatic circles. q
as expected to be the result OF this move I
] Europe. this gentleman said that 1t was
Understood that France. anticipating such
n Anglo-German step. had come to an a
with Spain, by which France !
lould claim Ceuta as the price OF her o
,mplaisance. THAT. OF es.urse." nc said. ;
IS absolutely impossible. unless We mean .
/, make Gibraltar and Malta Of no effect. "
ID hand over our highway to India. which. "
course. we do not mean to do. Eng
nd must and would fight rather than ;,
ED to any such demand" m
Russia Oar. Not object. W
And what of Russia? The papers have 1t
,en suggesting that she has told Lord W
that the future OF Delagoa Bay .,
really no business Of hers Jr
"Oh, dear. no, replied the informant. III
hat Is absolutely untrue. France counts be
Russia, and if the Franco Russian al a.
ncc Is half as effective bond as France
inns, she should not count in vain Yet.
spite all that, and though acs course.
igland is forced by her position in South NJ
RIGA to run the risk of grave European
Implications war will not como. That Is
= firm belief of those whose opinions le
ant for most in England. Russia you u
;, dare not attack England. or. indeed. Nd
ack anyone just now, for Japan is only re
aiting such an opportunity Of Russian i"'
occupation TO pounce upon Curea and an
IT Arthur, which she counts her legiti- "a
lie spoil from the Chlno-Japanese war. grj
1ed high authorities say that Russo
lsnese conflict must come In any ase so res
u as ice melts In the spring You have ~
d Of the recent quiet movements OF Rus al
II re-enforccments to the Far East | Uo
IAN Will keep Russia quiet In Europe, Pit
without Russia France can only growI. phi
awhile England. holding DeIagoa Bay. the
i ring round the Transvaal"
London Notes and Gossip. the
he literary event OF the week is the Ar- -
of the Authors Society to establish an
hors' pension fund. Subscriptions al =,
ly have been promised from men like -.
edith. Kipling. and Besant One draw 9th
k of the scheme is that pensioners must of {
ixty years OF age OF
he chorus of praIs. that ,-o.,sI c,.,h., Civ,
Iins, trauo,- -, ..r,,l, tain
d"io anu rr"ncesca suit
led 10 much discussion and the exam sale