Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, NOV. 1, 1898. The European News.

Manawatu Herald, 1 November 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, NOV. 1, 1898. The European News.

Are matters quieting down, or ie time only being gained ? that is the natural question at the present time. It appears that France will give in about the Fashoda incident, the pro test not having acted as was hoped for, and the internal conditions of the country, the civil versus the military authority, proving of more immediate moment. We are informed, from Paris of all places, that Great Britain is about to proclaim a protectorate over Egypt, and this is likely enough to be true, as we but lately pointed out the action of the Khedive was an invitation to take such a course, as well aa the ill advised interference of Franoe at Fashoda. There could not be a better time for the announcement to be made, as England is said to be ready for war, and we doubt if either France or Russia are, and France has afforded a suitable reason for the necessity of such a step. The time has arrived for plain speaking about British interests in Africa, and there is the plain speaking, first of Lord Salisbury who declares there shall be no interference on the Nile, and secondly by Mr Rhodes who explained that he had warned the French Ambassador that interference with British continuity from north to south would be treated as an act which would cause war, and this on the authority of the then Liberal Premier, Lord Bosebery. Germany appears well satisfied with the bargain she has made, and her Emperor has gone to view the land he purposes to improve, and does not, apparently bother his head at the French frothiness. Eusaia sees further than France and does not like th% German Emperor's little 1 trip, and her Minister of Foreign Affairs has not only visited Paris to instill some caution into French statesmen, but has called in, on his way home, at Vienna to explain his suspicions about Germany, and, most likely, also about England. Bluff is a dangerous game to play and was begun without counting the cost by France, as in every way England has bid far higher — thus tenders for building vessels for the navy, to the amount of five millions have been invited, and is is pretty safe to Bay will be accepted, war or no war, and proclamations are ready to be issued for summoning men of all arms at a moment's notice, and then, more satisfactory than all, we have the leaders of both political sides agreeing to the firm stand taken, the Leader of the Opposition declaring that it was the duty of all the people to support the Government at the time of such an unexampled crisis as the present. Thus other nations can view the most powerful and wealthy nation in the world, united and firm in wonderful contrast to that of France torn by politioal, civil, and military dissensions. This is enough truly for the Bussian leading paper to regard the situation in France as obscure and confused, and being astounded at the antago nism of the civil and military parties, and must cause all Russians to again ask themselves of what value is the French alliance to them. No wonder the Russian Minister will use his best endeavours to prevent a war in which his country would be drawn simply as the ally of Franoe, so weak and bo diatraoted.