THE WARLIKE SITUATION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIII, Issue 56, 11 March 1887, Page 3

THE WARLIKE SITUATION.

The Berlin Nachrichten, of February 16, cays : — The threatening character of the situation across the western frontier is becoming much more acute. In view of the fact that forts bave already been constructed to shelter 100,000 men, and preparauons made to shelter a smaller number around Belfort, we have, beyond doubt, to deal with nothing else but the strengthening of the French line, to enable them at the commencement of hostilities to throw a large force across the frontier, and thus transfer the field of operations to German territory A London cable s*ys that a general war is regarded by the four Great Powers as inevitable, and m "Downing-ptreet the situation m the all-absorbing topic. The Jingo element oppose any scheme for the neutrality of the Suez Canal that will prevent English ironclads reaching the E st m time of war. The alarm due to the war canard (says a London cablegram of January 28th) subsided rapidly. The News offered no explanation for its publication, while the Paris Press charges not only the News o this account, but the whole English Prtss, with trying <o foment hostilities between France and Germany for its own ends. It was decided at the Grand Imperial Oruncl held m Berlin on Jannnry 31, that the Delfgations should be convoked m March to vote exlra military credits of 15,000,000 dollars, jmrt a special credit for the eqniprm nt of the Landstrum. 'ihe whole German army and reserves are to be called out m sections of 72,000 men, to be. drilled m fhe use of the new repeating rifle. Germany has also made arrangements to at or cc erect barracks at various points a'ong the French frontier. • Russian securities are week and low. The immense preparations of thai Power by land and sea lend an air of probability to the proportion that the Czar is m grim earnest, and is making ready, not only to occupy Bulgaria, but to seize Constantinople. London cable messages of February 14tb, say that appearances m European capitals are sti 1 warl ke. m The French tronps are concentrating, while the Alsace and Lorraine garrisons are being brought up to war Btrength. There are heavy movements of German troops towards the French fronti< r. All the arm factories m Vienna are woiking exclusively for the Austrian Govet nment. Russian corps are completeing their concentration m the South East, and heavy reinforcements are going from the interior to the South West. Numerous German patrols have been stationed along the frontier for the purpose of arresting deserters. The Committee oftha German National | Liberal Party issued a manifesto to the electors on January 31st. They say : •« Never B : nce theFranao-Gprman war has the danger of a great coiftict been so ne». No statesman can form any certain conclusion as to the future, even for a few weeks. The pc ace of Europe rests at this moment solely upon the strength readiness for action, aiid moral trustworthiness of the German Army. Tee National Liberals are confident that the voice of universal suffrage will pronounce a right decision. The nnpropitious issue of »he elections will bring down upon the country war with all its terrors, and, even with ita best results, heavy losses." The Beilin Post, a semi-official organ, m a leading article headed fl On the edge of the. knife," says, "Ths position of General Boulanger now is not only strengthened but becoming unassailable." Prince HoheDlohe, Governor of Alsace and Lorraine, issued, on February 16, an election mauifesto, m which be exhorted the people, for the cake of their conscience and good sense — their love of home, family, and property — to vote for thu Septennate Army Bill, and so avoid the horrors of another war. In some election districts the manifesto reads — " The friends of peace find themselves unable, because of pressure from political leaders, to put forward the candidates they would like to have elected to the new Reichstag. They may deposit blank voting papers. and m this way express their views and record the real opinion of the country, that the reunion of Alsaco and Lorraine to Germany is unseverablo ai long as the German Empiro exists. RIOT IN RUSSIA. Recently, a riot at tho Demidnff Spinning works was occasioned by thn discharge of 2500 women and children m accordance with the new law. Tho Chief Orloff, and his assistant Sahkaroff, worn murdered by the moh, and othor officials bad narrow tfloapos. The millß and entiro plant wero destroyed. The Socialists fomented the outbreak. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. The scenes at tho opening of Purlinment on January 27th, according to a London despatch of that dato. wero dull- i than those which usually attend snch ar event, The crowds about tho building showed little, if any, enthusiasm, ant members wero evidently uncertain as re gards the future. Lord Randolph Church ill when he fii'3t entered the flou.se o Commonp, tried to take a covered seal below the gangway which he formerly occupied. He found, tho .gh, that he ha< been forestalled by thn Right Hon Henri Chaplin, whose hat was on the seat, an< Lord Randolph lifted the hat, examinee it critically, read Mr Chaplin's card, for; full minute, then smiled ami took a bad Beat. It is notorious that a feud exist ' between Lord Randolph and Mr Chaplin Lord Randolph Churchill (the report c the proceedings goes on to say) wascoldl; received when he stood up m Parliamon to make a statement of his reason for rt signing his seat m the Cabinet. As th speech developed into a telling indicl ment of government, tho Oppositio began to shout, and from that point t tho end Lord Ramlt 1 h j rocoede.l ami continued Liberal ch ft- ring The Foru complain that thi. Mj.e.icl. pro.luomj a impiesaion, which it was probably n tended to produce, that the Government

foreign policy was reckless aud danger ous, and they think Lord Salisbury ough' to reassure the conniry as Boon aa possible. The Liberals profess to be delighted .it the outlook. Mr Gladstone applauded J what he called Lord Randolph Churchill's I sacrifices on behalf of a sound eeonomia ' policy, and the judicious mode m which ' he intended to sp >ly the principles be advocated. Mr Gladstone also delivered a 1 enlogy on the late Lctd Idde3leigh, whom 1 he said he had the honor to iutro luce into ' ' public life. Mr Parnell's amendment .to [the Addrees-in-Reply to the Queen's ' speech wag rejected by a vote of 352 to 246. " The united forces of the separatists," says the Time?, commenting on the division, "only succeed m showing they are m a hopelesg minority." The amendment was as follows :— " That relations between owners and occupiers of land m Ireland have not been seriously disturbed m cases where landlords granted their tenants such abatements as were demanded by the prices of agricultural and pastoral products. That remedy for the crisis m Irish agrarian affairs is to be found, not m increased stringency of criminal proceedings, or m the pursuit of such doubtful and unconstitutional measures as those recently taken by Her Majesty's Government, but m such reform of the law as will satisfy all needs, and secure the confidence of the Irish people." BeßJde Mr Parnell, Mr Gladstone 3nd Mr Morley supported the Bill. Mr Parnell's speech was more notable for diplomat c calmness and finesse than for fervor or brilliancy. He spoke with considerable energy, however, and was exhausted at the end.