ENGLAND AND FRANCE

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10175, 24 October 1898, Page 5

ENGLAND AND FRANCE

A GRAVE CRISIS. MAJOR MARCHANDS REPORT. THREATENED INTERVENTION OP RUSSIA. SPEECH BY LORD ROSEBERY. EXPECTED MOBILISATION OF* THE ENGLISH FLEET. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. CAIRO, October 21. A battery of Egyptian artillery is being sent to Fashoda. ST. PETERSBURG, October 22. The "Novoe Vremya" states that Si* M. Hicks-Beach has failed to remember that Russia has firmly resojyed to support France in her claims in view of the solidarity of their interests. PARIS, October 22. Major Marchand's report makes no reference to General Kitchener, and it is apparently a copy of his journal forwarded via Abyssinia and the route and the points occupied, tne treaties entered into with the native tribes, and the encounters with the Dervishes up to the beginning of September. The diary states that on August 20th supplies were abundant. It is semi-officially explained that Major Marchand immediately despatched the available reports, expecting Captain Baratier to await for supplementary ones at Khartoum. Captain Baratier sailed for Paris in the same steamer on which General Kitchener is travelling. The English Press considers the whole affair as a trick to gain time. LONDON, October 23. The warships at Portsmouth are ocaling and completing their crews. The naval officers on leave have been warned to. be in readiness to rejoin their ships. Lord Rosebery, in accepting the freedom of Perth, said a peace-at-any-price policy invited encroachment, and resulted in war. He advised the French to read the British Blue Book while awaiting the issue of the French Yellow Bpok dealing with Fashoda-. He added that it was untni6 that France protested at the time of Sir Edward Grey's warning in 1895 that the French advance Fashoda would be regarded as an unfriendly act. ' A "Times" cable message states that Major Marchand's despatch, just published, causes the worst impression. It is recognised in England that the crisis is undoubtedly of the gravest character. The immediate mobilisation of the navy is an imminent poadbltity, as a response to the French war preparations. '.''.. Assurances are given that the Imperial Government are quite ready, and fully realises the seriousness of the situation. Public excitement in both countries is intense.