War News.

Manawatu Herald, 26 May 1898, Page 2

War News.

News of the war actually raging between America and Spain there is very little of, the only point worthy of notice is the announcement that Admiral Schley was at Santiago de Cuba, and was waiting for Admiral Sampson — but after the Spanish Squadron had left that port. What, however, is worth taking note of is that the United States is discussing preliminary arrangements as to a Convention to settle all controversies between Canada and the United States, also that Russia is backing down about making Port Arthur a close port, to which Britain objected, and that the British will occupy Weihaiwei in conjunction with the Chinese, thus making sure of the place after the evacuation of the fortress by the Japanese and holding it sate from the Russian grasp until the transfer has been formally completed to Britain. As against these successes we regret to note, that the French elections has not resulted in a strong majority for the Government as was expected, and this weakness may lead Ministers to act more rashly than a powerful Ministry would do. We find that Spain is doing her best to embroil France in her quarrel by offering her the Phillipine Islands, a step which is sure to be objected to by both Great Britain and Japan. With this proposal to her we find that France is talking about not conceding territory in West Africa with the exception of an infinitely small portion, and that only if she is granted seme compensation; and somebody has evidently stirred Oom Paul up as he has got his Executive to decline to recognise the suzerainty of Britain. The world is in a terrible state of unrest, and we no sooner hear of one little complication being quietened before another is brought out to be used as the times may serve. The consolation that we all have is the knowledge that the rulers of the Empire are fully aware of the crisis that may at any moment occur, and are thoroughly prepared for it. We know of the attention paid to the

Navy, and we are informed that the ! whole coast line of Britaiti is well defended, and an English paper mentioned that at a femall town in the centre of England were stored the Whole equipments, food and forage of an Army Corps, from which, owing to its central, position, the whole could be dispatched to any part at a moment's nobm fey the last English mail it was also mentioned that there had been issued twenty million ball cartridges ttf the volunteer authorities throughout the Kingdom, thjs being the quantity which, would .ordinarily be issued in case of immediate service. The impression prevailing in Britain is that Russia intends ousting Britain from China in her own time, if she is let, and that France is standing by to lend a hand, and it is though Great Britain, being ready for war, should let it be thoroughly well-known she does not mean to let it be done*