The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-17
Special Cah,e Despatch to THE sun

Special cable Despatch 10 THE Sun
LONDON, June le.-It can no longer he
denied that there is now an international
crisis OF the first magnitude. The public
gained its first knowledge OF the grave
nature of the situation from THE SUNS
Paris despatch, which was published
throughout Europe to-day, producing the
profoundest impression of any newspaper
utterance Of recent time.
contained in the despatch comes to-day
from a variety of sources. Paris wires
tonight that the French Government is
almost convinced that it is Germany's
deliberate intention to provokrwar. Orders
were given by the Ministry of War on
Wednesday to make every preparation to
resist attack. All officers and men on leave
were ordered to rejoin the colors instantly.
Special trains in all parts Of the country
have been facilitating the execution Of the
instructions
Prime Minister Rouvier has adopted
the most conciatory attitude toward
Germany, but every concession he makes
inspires fresh demands, until now Emperor
William asks in effect the cancellation Of
the Anglo-Frenoh entente. This is not.
Of course. demanded in so many words.
but it is insisted that France shall make
no combinations anita gonistic to German
interests.
Complete submission to all the pressure
the Kaiser is now putting upon the French
Republic would reduce the country to vas
salage. France sincerely desires to avoid
war, but the moment it is apparent that
Germany is deliberately attempting to
humiliate her French pride will burst into
uncomfortable resentment.
1t should not be inferred from The SUNS
Paris despatch Of Wednesday that the British
attitude is in any degree weak or yielding.
The British Government is fully aware that
Gerrnany's aggression is aimed quite a.
much at Great Britain as against France.
Lord Lansdowne is all for peace, but tho
rest of the Cabinet are determined to
resist with all the resources OF the En-
pre any serious encroachment Old British
interests.
Lord I.ansdowne has counseed France,
while avoiding all provocation to preserves
firm attitude in face of German aggression.
Great Britain has also taken important
independent action, which is not yet dis
closed. 1t will become known when the
China squadron and other ships Of the
British Navy which are Fastening home
ward at top speed approach their destna-
ton. 1t will be found to be quite as sig
nficant the mobilization Of the flying
squadron, which was Great Britains re-
sponse to the Kaisers famous Kruger
letter.
There is reason to believe also that even
if France yields to German pressure in the
matter Of an international conference
in regard to Morocco Great Britain will
veto it. even if she stands alone. The
British Government and people were never
more anxious for peace than now, but il
the Kaiser should attempt to deal with this
country as he is treating France war would
be question only of hours. Meantime
the developments in the Japanese
peace movement command only the second
airy attention of official circles and the
general public.
Referring to the seriousness Of tn e Franco
German tension, the Paris correspondent
of the Express says that the situation on
Wednesday night was considered so grave
and it was believed that France was so near
war with Germany that the Minister OF
War and his whole staff remained up all
night ready To give mobilization orders
to the army if necessary Orders have
been sent to all men of the Sixth Army
Corps on leave to return Immediately to
their regiments In various parts of France
special trains were provided last night
to ensure the immediate return to their
regiments of all these men.
The conditions tonight are said to have
improved somewhat. Prime Minister Rou-
vier informed the Senators OF the Demo-
cratic Left in the afternoon that the turn
taken by the diplomatic exchanges per-
mitted the hope Of a satisfactory settle
! ment.