The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-05-26 00:00:00

SATURDAY , MY 26th, 1883.
COMPETI rivE COLONISTS.

THE remarkable energy which France is now ex-
hibiting in the direction of annexation, coloniz-
ation, or protection, or whatever phrase she may
choose to adopt, is probably a more serious
matter for the French themselves in the long
run than the countries menaced or the Euro-
pean States whose rights may be interfered
with. But for all that it is necessary that the
course of French policy should be closely
watched in order, if possible, to prevent un-
necessury complications or disputes which may
tend to weaken the friendly relations between
Great Britain and our Continental neighbour.
Apart, however, from personal considerations—
and the English should be the last to throw at
an aggressive foreign policy—the proceedings
of France in the interior of Africa, Madagascar,
and Tonquin suggest many interesting questions
There can be no possible objection to the al-
leged disinterested motives of France to. evolve
order oat of chaos and to carry civilization to the
uttermost ends of the earth, and to make the
desert blossom as the rose; but it is a question
whether the diffusioa of energy in so many and
distant parts of the world at one time will not
so weaken the strength of the country and atten-
uate its commercial enterprise that, assuming
the success of her arms, she will not be able to
retain or to use to the best advantage the lands
which have been won. Hitherto the French
have not shown themselves a colonizing people
At one time or another they have held posses-
sions in all parts of the world, but the best of
their colonies have been lost. They make ex-
cellent traders, but they do not possess the
faculty enjoyed by the English of rooting them-
selves in the soil, and assimilating all that is
best in the land of their adoption while adjust-
fug their European notions to the altered con-
ditions of their life. The French character has
changed considerably if it can found another
France on the Congo or in China in the same
way as Greater Britain is to be found in America
Australia, cr South Africa. If it were not that
nations are not slow to learn wisdom, it might
have been thought that the recent experiences
of France in North Africa would not have been
an encouragement to proceed in the direction
of annexation. But in matters of conquest the
good old plan that they should take who have
the power is accepted all the world over both as
a reason and a justification. One unfortunate
feature in connection with such a policy, how-
ever, is that the retaliation for an injury done
by one European State is often extended to all
Europeans. The contact with the well-meant
, forts of civilizing forces is not at all times ac-
ceptable to the darkskinned native of Africa,
who is sometimes provoked to retalitory
measures, in which he cannot be expected to
discriminate between different nationalities of
white people. Hence his retaliation may fall
upon any community of peaceful traders. So
far, therefore, others countries than France are
interested in seeing that justice is done. Tak-
ing into consideration the scope of French home
poli.ics it is probable that, after all, this sudden
development of love of discovery and coloniza-
tion may perhaps divert the attention of the
people from home affairs. And as the French
people are proverbially fickle, it seems necessary
that their political life should be diversified by
an active policy both at home and abroad, there-
fore it probably arises that this desire for expe-
ditious to distant lands is received with . appro-
bation. If that be a correct explanation of
this phenomenal policy, it scarcely comes with-
in the scope of conscientious colonization, and
is therefore to be regarded with all the more
closeness by such a commercial nation as Great
Bri am, having interests to be guarded on every
coast and at every point of the compass.