The Washington times., 1904-02-21
BRITAIN PREPARES
FOR THREATENED
WAR WITH FRANCE
ArSenalS and ShipyardS
Present Scenes of
Activity.
OFFICERS In READINESS
WarShip Commanders Will
Keep Strict Watch for Yes
sells Aiding Russians.
OFFICERS In READINESS

LONDON, Feb. 2o.-Great Britain ex-
poets war with France as an outcome
OF the present conflict in the Far East
and every official In both the army and
the navy has received an intimation
from a high source to place himself In
readiness for orders.
AT every arsenal and shipyard in the
United Kingdom there are visible scenes
OF unprecedented activity, and munitions
OF war are being manufactured with all
speed Night and day tricks of men are
al work. ana the reserve supply of mu-
nitions is being greatly increased from
Gay TO day. From high official source
Ii Is learned that the unfr1endly atti-
tude OF France has greatly increased
since the disaster to the Russian fleet
and French spies are reported I'm almost
every garrison or shipyard town in Eng
iahd- While the diplomatic leaders of
Doth nations emphatically deny that any
trouble Is expected. their actions belle
their words.
Will Back Japan.
Conferences of the high officials are
OF daily occurrence now. and cipher dis
Patches continue to pass from high
commanders TO the war office. Frances
acuon In granting a refuge TO the Rus
sian steamers in the Red Sea is vitl,o,,t
international precedent. and while Eng
land has so far refrained from oficialiv
noticing ii. there IS a strong feeling that
II Japan desires to raise her voice ia
opposition. England viii inform France
mat she heartily indorses the stand of
her Eastern ally.
The secret treaty between England
and Japan provides for exactly such an
emergency as II ie believed may orfRi-
nate from the present trouble. and Eng
land is pledged TO aid Japan. by force /
OF arms II necessary in preventing in !
reference by any foreign power in the |
struggle with Russia.
Watch on French.
From the same ofncial source il is
learned that the English commanders of
warships In the Far East have been in
structed to keep a close watch on
French vessels. and IL any are dlscov-
cred giving aid or comfort to the Rus |
slams. the information is 70 be convened
to the nearest japanese commander.
The situation is very serious. and IL |
would require but slight circumstance /
10 cause the complications.
Excitement on Bourse.
The Paris correspondent OF the Lon
don Weekly Dispatch" states that to
SONS extent the panic which took place
on the bourss today was due to natural
causes. as for some time the smaller
set of French investors has been deal
ing heavily in Russian securities.
The action OF the French government
in indorsing Russia has had the effect
or stimulating French trade in Russian
securities. and the result has been that
many brokers have been carrying more
than the margin OF their customary
wind The result that when values be-
gan 70 crumble today. brokers were
compelled to issue 10y :.
gins. and in many n- II
were not fOrthcor .
thrown on the =
ever they would 4. : |
fusion the like Of |
seen. and numel n
firms.
lie Journal / rl--. a
OF the oldest bro fr r-rr =
ing: Never In -re-- I
seen such scenes .-e-. .gr =
today"