Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-10-24
FRANCE IS SURPRISED.
Disturbed Over Compact Between
Germany and England.
NO PRECEDENT FOR IT.
South Africa as a Measure
of Retaliation.

Paris. Oct 22.-News of the Anglo
German convention fell like a bOmbshel.
in France and was an absolute surprise
to the government and the French ma
ton. At the Quai d'Orsay a personal IN
tervicw was had with Minister Delcasse.
who was just entering the foreign Office,
and an air of suppressed excitement per-
vadcd the place, leaving no doubt that
the convention had been a most disagree
able surprise. Minister Delcasse, i'll re-
ply to question as to how the cOnvcn-
ton was regarded by the foreign office,
said:
1T is the first time in diplomatic his
tory that IN so grave an international
question and after so many collective ne
eOtiatiOns two nations have formed a
separate compact apart from the rest,
evidently wishing to settle the Chinese
problem alone.
AT this moment we do not officially
know of the English note, which was not
communicated to us.
The note. however, seems useless, be-
cause the French government has never
had any desire to take any undue advan-
tage Of China or to annex. any part of the
country: Our policy is that of the open
door. We are in perfect accord with the
United States on that question and can
not as yet give details upon q diplomatic
subject OF which we nave no otficia.
knowledge.
But a public note will be issued with
IN the next twenty-fOur hours bearing Oh
the questions arising from the new situa-
ton that has been created"
England Afraid of Russia.
From another equally reliable source
the following statement was obtained:
afraid that Russia would initiate her own
policy toward Egypt and keep NAH
churla, despite her word not to-
The French foreign department be.
lieves that the German government,
veXed by the recent failure of the Ger
lish proposition, which is evidently d.
rected against Russia acquiring any i'm
portant compensation.
The entire Chinese question is now
changed. and the position of Count Wal
dersee will he extremely difficult because
the Anglo German agreement is the sig
nal for European disunion."
May Intervene for Beers.
Minister Delcasse today had long and
important interview with the Russian
ambassador, and it is reported that the
first answer of Russia to England will be
direct Intervention in the IranSvaal
question and cordial reception of the
demands of Kruger. Already a diplo-
matte dispatch from Berne announces
that the Swiss government, backed by
Russia will propose arbitration by the
powers in the Transvaal
DR.. Leyds and other Transvaal 9TH
Gals are to leave for Naples to meet the
Herzog. aboard which are Pete Grobe-
Ter. the under secretary. of foreign at
fairs; Van Alpen, the director of posts:
Jean Marais. the general auditor. and
Malherbe. the treasurer. They will join
Kruger, with whom they will cooperate
in a demand for intervention.
Occupied by French Troops.
Paris, Oct. 22.-Gen. Noyron, com
mander of the French troops in China,
telegraphs from Taku, under date of Oc-
tober 20, as follows: French troops oc-
cupy the railroad and railroad depot at
north and south as far as the terminus.
The railroad is being repaired.
Correspondence with France.
department today made public the CORE,
spondence which has taken place between
itself and the French government since
the original French note respecting
China. which laid down the terms suS,
gested by France as Il basis of negOtia-
ton for a settlement. An Interesting
and important feature of the reply Of the
United States is the closing suggestion
that the powers bind themselves again t.
preserve Chinese territorial integrity, and
to maintain the "open door," exactly tins
objects aimed at in the British g ermar
agreement or alliance.
While this note by Secretary Hay
bears date of October 10 and the British
German agreement is assigned the date
of October 16, the action of this govern
ment was taken in ignorance of the
agreement. and it is entirely possible that
it may have been the means of bringing
about disclosure of its purposes. Our
suggestion indicates Il favorable response
by the United States government to the
invitation to join with Great Britain and
Germany in the objects specified.