FRANCE AND ENGLAND

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 364, 8 November 1898, Page 2

FRANCE AND ENGLAND

FRANCE HUMILIATED. WAR PREPARATIONS. BANQUET TO SIR 11. KITCHENER. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— COPYRIGHT). London, November 4. At Guildhall, the Lord Mayor of London presented Sir H. Kitchener, Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, with tho freedom of the city and a sword in recognition of his services in the Soudan. En route and in the hall Sir H. Kitchener was greeted by enthusiastic crowds. Great Britain has purchased 575,000 gallons of distilled spirits at Chicago. It will be used in the manufacture of smokeless powder. London, November 5. A brilliant banquet was held at Guildhall on the occasion of the conferment of the freedom of the city on Sir H. Kitchener. The Duke of Cambridge, Lords Roberts, Wolseley, Rosebery, and the Agents-General were present. Lord Salisbury announced that France had intimated that Fashoda being useless would be evacuated. This decision, he said, was gratifying, and somewhat unexpected. It terminated a dangerous controversy. He expected further discussion would take place with regard to the Nile Valley. Sir H. Kitchener eulogised the Egyptian soldiers, and emphasised the commercial value of the Soudan. Sir Wm. Harcourt eulogised Sir H. Kitchener's chivalrous treatment of Major Marchand. An English paper remarks that France has given no intimation of her intention to withdraw to Babr-el-Ghazal. The Graphic has published Major March an d's map of his route, and expresses the belief that France is willing to abandon five posts on the Bahr-el-Ghazal, retaining Tamboura, on one of the tributaries of that river, and about 450 miles southwest of Fashoda. The retention of this post would give access by water to Cairo. The Government have established a censorship over all news relating to the movements of British warships in foreign stations. The spirits purchased by Great Britain in Chicago are to be manufactured into smokeless powder at Montreal. Paris, November 5. The French press declares that relations of friendship and confidence with Great Britain have been destroyed, and that France has sustained no worse humiliation since 1871. Cairo, November 5. It is rumoured here that Major Marchand is to lead an expedition to Jibutil, a post in French territory in East Africa. PREPARATIONS IN THE COLONY. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Last Nigh.t The Post to-night says : " The war scare has had the effect of causiug the Defence authorities to make more definite preparations than the public have been so far aware of to meet the possible embroilment of the Empire with a foreigu Power. We are in a position to state that the Department has completed arrangements for the mobilisation of the volunteers in all the chief centres whenever war may break out. The present position is that orders will be issued to the commanding officers this week to see that all their men are ready to go into the field at a moment's notice. Each officer is to satisfy himself that the men are thoroughly equipped and are fully aware of what is required of them if hostilities occur. We believe that a contract has been let for the transport of luggage of volunteers at the chief centres and for the victualling of tlie officers and men."