, 1881-05-01
interviews on the Tunisian
Question with Leading
J: Partisan Editors.
What Was Started as an Ex-
pedition Has Turned Out
a Conquest.
A Peep into the Counsels Of the
Tories, Now Without a
:. Leader.
Why Mr.. Gladstone Did Not Push
Through the Bradlaugh Mat
ter Or Resign.
& Large Quantity Of Gossip,
Rather Anti-Libera1 in
Its Coloring.
London Society Highly Excited Over the
Elopement Of the Earl OF
Shrewsbury, :
Death of the Rev. DR.. Edward
Mall, a Celebrated Nom
C6nformist.
Answer Of Mr.. Gladstone to the Com
munication Of the Irish
Bishops.
The archbishop Of Paris Refnses to Open the hade"
leine to Girardin-l Horrible Ocean
Calamity.
Death Of the Rev. DR.. Edward
Mail, Celebrated Nom
C6nforlnist.
Answer Of Mr.. Gladstone to the Com
munication Of the Irish
Bishops.
The archbishop Of Paris Refnses to Open the Made"
leine to Girardn-l Horrible Ocean
Calamity.


L
of conversation in Paris is Tunis. The ad-
vance Of the French troops is watched with
the greatcst interest, and each little scrap OF
news is caught and commented upon.
In the provinces there seems to be
less excitement Nevertheless there IS
great deal of commotion in all the
great provincial garrison towns. had
yesterday and to-day interesting interviews
N the subject with number of leading
journalists III Paris, and also with the Min
ster Of Foreign Affairs Hoping to elicit
Presidential statement with regard to the
lffair. a correspondent proceeded to the
ElysGe and took the liberty OF asking NJ
srevy whether he could favor him with a
lenial Of the rumored
INTENTION OF FRANCE TO ANNEX PART OF
TINS
md to dispatch the fleet to Goletta. The
President politely but positively regretted
that it was impossible for lin to assume the
responsibility Of replying to all inquiry
which was strictly within the province Of the
Cabinet He limited, however, that one of
the Ministers might be more COM
municative. Accordingly, the correspond
ent repaired to the Ministry Of Foreign
Affairs. N. Barthelemy de st. llilaire
received him there this afternoon. The fol-
lowing Is a faithful summary Of long and
interesting conversation had with him Oh
Tunisian affairs N. de ST. Hilaire was most
uureseryed and courteous. It is needless to
point out the importance Of his statement.
He was asked whether, i'll the very possible
event Of French troops being obliged to pro-
ceed to Tnnis, the foreign residents there,
and especially Americans, might counton
THE PROTECTION OF THE FRENCH REPRE-
SENTATIVE.
The Minister Of foreign affairs" Most Ger
tainly. A diplomatic statement to that effect
has already been published. You will have
seen It ii the correspondence OF N. Roustan
and the Bey.''
Am too infer from this that the dispatch
pf French troops to Tunis is decided on in
princip1e?"
"By no means"
ais it decided that the French fleet is to go
to GaIetta?''
"Certainly not, and for this very evident
reason, the sea is open to every one II we sent
Il fleet to Ga1etta on the pretext OF wishing to
defend our countrymen in Tunis nothing
could prevent England from following suit,
and then Italy and Germany, or even Spain.
All these powers could truthfully assert that
they have subjects in Tunis in need Of pro-
lection France will answer for the
safety Of all foreign residents. Besides it
would be easier and quicker for our troops to
REACH TUS1S Dy LAND
than By sea-"
81 have now to ask you very delicate
question. Does the French Government
contemplate the annexation Of any Tunisian
territory?"
at does not. n. Ferry declared only the
other day that this was not far-off conquest
7~ ;-r rpeeirtn rf1 fhrf of fHa end 1f
the war We may fiud it necessary to occupy
certain points on the frontier as i guarantee
for the proper execution of stipulations
which will he made with the eneny.''
by occupation, do you understand al oc-
cupation indetinit1y prolonged %
IL mean only 4 temporary one"
s'Then not even the kroumlr Territory
will be annexcd?'
No Tunisian territory whatever"
ado you admit the truth Of what the
Temps SAID the other night about
THE ISLAND OF TABAlsCA BEING FHEScH??' ~
4.Oh, that is merely journalistic fantasy. In
any case tie matter has 10 Importance,
Tabarca is only little rock.''
..There has been some talk Of a French
protectorate being proclaimed.''
~''Why should we wish to proclaim pro-
tectorate? all we want is to reprcss the
tribes who have given us SD much trouble"
tit will be remarked that n de St uilaire
did not give positive denial.
ado you anticipate any complication with
Germany and .1taly?"
1--WE do not-''
'.F5r instance, do you not think it possible
that Italy,
BACKED nY GERMANY,
may some day ask for compensation in the
1iractinii nf Savoy ~
"That Is a dream which Italy is not likely
10 realize Germany, by the way, is not
tuc:l a friend of Italy as some people inl-
lgine-"
"Suppose that Italy attempts to get foot
hg in Tripoli:''
Another dream. However, that is no affair
II ours.''
Il need not ask whether you believe in
Turkey seriously trying to meddle in the af-
Iair?'
n. dc Saint Hilaire evidently looked upon
This as such !: very Improbable thing that /
did not press him for lengthy declaration.
'Tunis," he said, *"is only nolniually
dependent oil Turkey and is in much the
same position as Egypt We do not fear any
trouble from that quauer.''
II thanked the minister for his frankness.
He replied: "What Lave told you is the
Main trntf, ~