THE WAR SCARE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 252, 25 October 1898, Page 5

THE WAR SCARE.

TOULON GARRISON AND FLEET

STRENGTHENED.

A LONG MISUNDER-

STANDING.

HOW IT MIGHT BE

DISPELLED,

AMERICAN SYMPATHY

WITH BRITAIN.

FRANCE WARNED AGAINST

A NAVAL WAR,

(By Electric Telegraph.)

I (Press Association—Copyright.)

£.'. (Received October 25, 5.37 a.m.)

PARIS, October 23

Fifteen hundred marines and COO artillerymen have reinforced the garrison and fleet at Toulon.

M. Decoureel hinted to Lord Salisbury that the concession of an outlet to the French on the Nile would possibly dispel a. long- misunderstanding between the two nations.

WASHINGTON, October 24,

American newspapers strongly sympathise with Great Britain over the Fashoda incident, and warn France that it is impossible for her to conduct a successful naval war.

LONDON, October 24. A Yellow Book of a voluminous character has been issued. France contends that- M. Liotard was commissioned in 1593 to occupy the French regions in the Übanghi district, under Franco-Congolese conventions. Major Marchand, before Sir Edward Grey's warning, had been ordered to secure'occupation under M.

Liotard. When Egypt abandoned the Soudan in ISS4, the Congo State annexed Labo. Great Britain conquered a portion of Equatoria, France havingequivalent rights. Major Marchand rescued Fashoda from the hands of the Dervishes before the fall of Khartoum. The demand for evacuation is not discussed, which is regarded as tantamount to an ultimatum. De Courcel, late French Minister at St. James', on October 5, told Lord Salisbury of France's recognition of claim on the Upper Nile, and that- he contemplated making inquiry into England's status. Great Britain had no authority, as the suzerain was the Sultan of Turkey. On October 12, De Courcel informed Lord Salisbury that Major Marchand's presence was compatible in Egj rpt with the claims of the British. Lord Salisbury replied that mixed occupation was inconvenient. The French occupation of Bahr-el-Ghazal was inadequate, and they must withdraw to the watershed line of Bahr-el-Ghazal. De Courcel then stated that such delimitation was physically difficult. Lord Salisbury inquired for alternate proposals. De Courcel claimed that it was necessary to have an,outlet from French Congo to Bahr-el-Ghazal Valley, and delimitation should be between Lake Tchad and the Nile.

Lord Salisbury is consulting his colleagues on the situation.

The English press state that the Yellow r Book increases the gravity of the situation. They make threats regarding Marchand's removal unless the French give an early and clear reply.