Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-28
ENGLAND AND FRANCE.


is prospect of an early rupture of the
friendly relations that have so long subsisted
between England and France. There ap-
pears to be misunderstanding as to the
course to be pursued relative to the Egyptian
complications, France being in favor of
prompt and energetic action to protect her
own and England's interests, while England
procrastinates and refuses to say what course
she will adopt. This has irritated France,
and several sharp diplomatic notes have
passed between the foreign secretaries of tho
two governments, ending with an intimation
from France that if England does not Join
with her in demanding the deposition of
the khedive, she will act Independently.
The GLOBE has already explained that the
interests of the two nations in the affairs of
Egypt are about equal. Both have guar
anteed certain of the khedive's debts, and
both are interested in the Suez canal and
other of the public works of the country.
A hostile attitude on the part of Egypt
towards them would involve great pecuniary
loss. That attitude was practically assumed
when the khedive removed from his cabinet
the representatives of England and France,
placed there to guard the interests of their
respective governments. Since that time
the khedive has borrowed three millions OF
dollars on the security of the growing crops
-he has no other security that would be
accepted by capitalists-and has taken
| quarter of million from the widows and
orphans fund, but instead of paying off, a.
promised, million and a half to the English
and French creditors who hold sequestra
tions on his domain, he is devotine
the money to the improvement of his army
and to other warlike demonstrations in an
ticipation that the nations of the west viii
insist that he redeem his promises. Thi
course is naturally distasteful to France; w
presume it is none the less SO to Great Britain
but it appears that the methods for obtaining
redress differ between the two countries, ant
hence there is good prospect of quarrel
France wants to take immediate action
England wants to delay. The truth of tn
matter is, England has got her hands prett
nearly full. Tho Afghan war, it is true, ha
closed, but the troops in use there will be r.
quired for occupying the territory for a yea
to como. The war in South Africa is hal
, RAISING, and draws largely upon her re
sources. Recent complications with th
Kafirs and with Burmah are likely to add
d her troubles, while affairs connected wit
the Russo-Turkish war are by no mean
settled, and may require liberal expenditul
of both men and money. Before she gel
any more irons in the fire she would, n
doubt, like to remove some of those ST
already has there. France is not SO bad
:, situated. She has no pending difficulty Q,
), cept this with Egypt, and could 60 into IL
, contest untrammelled. She regards this ,
), the best time to strike, and does not seem
!, take into consideration England's embarras
!. ments. With the Impotence natural to Il
nation, she cannot brook delay, and rattle
than await Engand's convenience, will qua
rel with her best friend
T. There is ono reason, pregnant with futu
events, why the friendly relations betwee
n France and England should not be inte
y rupted. It is we'll known that ever since Il
d close of the Franco-P russian war. Bismar,
q has sought to isolate France from all q
J. other nations of Europe, and has view
n with much yexation the friendship tn
! has prevailed between her and En-
It land. Events that have transpired with
g. the past few years have seemed to indics
a. that in case of another war between the 9
N enemies, the Gauls would have the acti
h sympathy if not the open assistance of En-
ae land. In that emergency the result of
be conflict would very likely lead to the reco
re- cry by France of all she lost in the last u
n and the overthrow of Germany as the lee
Vs. ing power of Europe. It is the part of p
,'s icy in France to cultivate the closest frier
he ship with her neighbor across the cham
rty Happily the misunderstand has not p
to pressed so far as to be irremediable.
Re- ill-feehng engendered has only permea
ch diplomatic circles, while the people at la
or are as friendly as ever. We trust tina
he will 60 no further, but that the nations ,
be work together in harmony for many ye
es- to come The interests of civilization
mt, be greatly promoted by such unien-t
inc of the only considerable republic in Eur,
the and the most enlightened and progress
al monarchy, practically republican in its TO
ON on the globe,