New-York tribune., 1879-06-05
The ANGLO-FRENCH QUARREL


LONDON. May 24.-After much idle dispute the
British public is reluctantly accepting the conyic-
ton that misunderstanding between England and
France does exist. Whether the misunderstanding
be serious not whether it is likely to be perma-
nent or not are open questions But even the
Ministerial organs beginning TO admit the ex-
stence of a difficulty which in the early part of the
week they denied with much misplaced energy. NJ.
Gambetas paper has restated the facts Of the stu
alton. and repeated with some emphasis its original
statements to the causes of French discomfort.
The reply which so many Engishmen made TO its
first announcement of trouble was, from one point
Of view, a very complete One They expressed their
belief that it did not matter what French news
paper said. This was excellent so far as II went.
1t would have been quite perfect had it been true.
Unhappily, it was not true. Ii rested on a total
msconception of the part played by the journal of
which NJ Gambetta. though no longer the avowed
editor remains the chief proprietor and over which
he certainly does exercise a controlling influence.
In this country no politician of commanding posi-
tiop no statesman of the first second rank, owns
political newspaper or publishes his views on an
important question in a newspaper. II would be
thought scandalous if Mr.. Gladstone or Lord
Beaconsfeld had personal organ, or wrote leaders
overnight. If they have new policy to announce.
or fresh departure to take they do it in speech
whether in Parliament or on the stump does not so
much matter. What does matter 10 the English
mind. Is that the announcement should be made by
word of mouth and not by the help OF printers ink.
Nothing is more common than TO find an English
journal which has or is supposed TO have relations
with the Ministry, making declaration which
passes for a Ministerial declaration-for twenty
four hours Nothing is more common than TO see II
disowned by Ministers, or disavowed by its
author within the next twenty-fOur Hence
the sceptcism with which English readers
receive the half authoritative statements OF
French journals which in France are known TO ex-
press the views of certain individuals holding
great place in public affairs. In France these dsa-
vowals do not occur. NJ. Gambetta holds or in
spires the pen much Oftener than he gets into the
tribune to make a speech. The R6pubique Fran
caise is the most powerful paper in France because
be is known to direct it. When he said England
had been behaving badly about Egypt and Greece
he meant It, The efforts of English papers TO prove
that he did not mean it, or ought not 10 have meant
it, and that 1t did not signify much what his paper
SAID. have produced a result but not the resnlt
they were aiming at They have caused NJ. Gam
beta simply to reairm and amplify his first state
ment, and dipomatists have been hard at work
ever since TO explain away the difficulties he
pointed ont. But it does not yet appear that they
have accomplished much The statement did not
create the difficulties the difficulties gave rise to
the statement which Is different.
An impression exists that England Will give way
about Greece, and that French complaints Oh that
score will be appeased. 1t may be so. | hope it
is so But Lord Salisbury is not contributing
TO that end He said only the other day,
with some supertluOus emphasis that the Greeks
should never have Janina. trained dlplomatst
would not have said that NJ. Rouher brought the
word never into diplomatic dsrepute by his too ia
nous assertion that Italy should " never have
Rome. NJ. ROuher's assertion was more indiscreet
than Lord Sasbury's because II was public. but
the privacy of Lord Salisbury's has not prevented
the repetition of it al over London-all over that
part of London where society rules. II VIII be dis
agreeable for Lord Salisbury to give up Janina. OF
70 make an equivalent concession to Greece now
that all his friends know he has said he wouldn't
But il does not follow that it viii be equally dis
agreeable to Lord Beaconsfied; or that he would
not do IT if il were. Nothing would suit him less al
This moment than rupture with France; or than
such coOuess as should present him TO the country
in the attitude of picking a quarrel with one OF the
best customers of England. He would think II the
more inexpedient because the quarrel would occur
about "A matter in which the English think Greece
right. and France ght. Lord Beaconsheld would
himself prefer 10 continue TO side with Turkey
tenderness for Lord Salisbury suseeptbities will
outweigh his desire TO stand well with the English
constituencies his day of reckoning approaches.
The Egyptian mauter. though not so pressing at
the moment is far more serious at bottom. The
divergence of views between the two countries Is
more radical; the interests at sTake much grayer.
Here is Mr. Rivers Wilson back in London. Eng
land has pocketed the affront which the Khedlve
has put upon her, and the question is, WAT next
Are England and France going TO act conOintly,
and if so what shape is their action TO takef
People who hope seem Ooverlook the most port
ant facts in the case. pass over the clrcumstance
that the two Powers have both withdrawn the sup
mort they were supposed to have promised their
delegates. 1t is conceivable enough that an effort
will be made TO renew diplomatic action. The two
countries are SAID 10 have interests in gypt which,
If not identical, not conflicting. But Their
Governments are met at the outset with this diin-
Guilty France interfered IN the interests OF frcnch
bondholders. England said-the leader OF the House
of Commons said-that the English Government
could take no account Of bOndholders. M. Wad-
dinrton Thought the solvency of the Credit Foncier
an immense holder of Egyptian securities, must be
protected. Sir Stafford Northcote cares nothing
for the Credit Foncier, but only for the
politIcal interests of Great Britain in Egypt.
and for the commercial interests which
are bound up with them. To certain point the
two Ministers Thought they could work together
They tried il with the result known TO the world.
Suppose they find a common basis again. They
NAV enforce heir wishes on the Khediye l, through
the Sultan, his suzerain 2 by armed forces Both
these means were open to them when Messrs. wilson
and Blignieres were sent about their business by
Ismall Both Governments. after the fullest dis
cussion and under the sting Of the hhedlves lhso-
lence. deemed both measures equally lnadmisSiDie'
What has occurred, or is likely to occur 20 Iebuer
either of them less inadmissibleI 7
The French, meantime, complain that ther own