The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-01-20 00:00:00

ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND EGYPT.

The Journal des Debats of Monday declares that
England, by the position she has adopted in Egypt,
has practically taken possession of the country, the
establishment of the British protectorate having all
the effects of annexation. The journal proceeds as
follows : " The English have taken Egypt because
the Suez Canal forms part of their road to India and
is indispensable for them. It is both useless and
puerile to seek other reasons. Henceforth the English
are masters of Egypt. We may regret to see this
question settled without us; but we have no right to
protest against our exclusion from the arrangement,
since it was justified by our abstaining from interven-
tion."

M. Duclerc read a declaration in the Chamber of
Deputies on Monday concerning French policy in
Egypt. He said that he had communicated to the
House the principal documents relating to the
Egyptian question, of which he then proceeded to
give an historical review. Explaining the measures
which had been taken for the protection of the interests
of French subjects, M. Duclerc said that among those
measures was the creation of a National Debt Corn.
mission and the Control, which was organized by
France and England acting in concert. But the aspect
of affairs had changed since, in consequence of the
English intervention. Duriug the struggle the part of
France was that of a trusting friend, separated from
her ally by transitory differences. After the repres-
sion of the rebellion France declared in favour of the
status quo while awaiting overtures from English
diplomacy. England having ultimately decided upon
undertaking the task of effecting a settlement of affairs
e4thent French assistance, France had re-
sumed tier liberty ot autiou. LI. DLc.C:
"So long as the English arms were engaged, the
greatest reserve was imposed on us. Our role towards
the English was that of confident friends. Severed
for a moment by transient disagreements, we avoided
with the greatest care every act which might have
wounded the susceptibility or provoked the distrust of
our neighbours; and this proper and fair attitude
has, on different occasions, been acknowledged and
appreciated. When the military operations came to
an end we had to ascertain their consequences. And
the documents which are to be set befortf you will
leave you in no doubt as to the ideas of moderation to
which we have persistently adher,erl:7llonehatvhn u
easet
snocohthaers
bounds to our desire for con
were reT:ited ly our dignity. It was not, moreover,
for Us to take t. 113 initiative in the settlement of pend-
ing questions. British statesmen had several times,
and solemnly, declared then intention to respect, on
order being restored, both. vested rights and interne-
tional arrangements. We had, therefore, only to
await the restoration of the status quo ante by the
English themselves. Whenever the English Govern-
ment asked for our views we remained faithful to the
standpoint which seemed to us the only one stable
and unquestionable, though at the same time showing
ourselves disposed to examine any concessions of
substance and form which the Queen's Ministers should
deem it right to submit to us. The interchange of views
which took place between the two Governments is
clearly shown by the documents submitted to you. I
have nothing to add to them. After an intervention which
had not been directed against us, nobody could have ex.
pected that France would be required to accept a posi-
tion of diminished influence. As soon as the English,
renouncing the continuation of common action, stated
that they intended henceforth to assume alone the
charge and settlement of Egyptian affairs, we had only
to resume our freedom of action. We did so without
vexation or recrimination, convinced that the dignity
and moderation of our attitude would be appreciated
by you, by Europe, whose interests are identical with
our own, and by our neighbour themselyes •' and we
shall do our utmost to safeguard on the banks of the
Nile our vested rights, our legitimate interests, and the
traditions of our past."