New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-15
DTpLOu47IC COMPLICATIONS.

brought to n close by the destruction OF hung
Hoa. The garrison did not attempt to defend
this stronghold, but retreated in disorder set
ting fire to the town The European invaders
are now in undisputed possession of the delta
and the lower section of the Red River and are
securely entrenchcd at Bac-Nmh. on the land
frontier of China The delta itself is not val
liable conquest and is as unhealthy region as
the Saigon valley, where the French troops arc
constantly exposed to maarial teyers. Beyond
Soutay and Hung-IIOa are Uplands Astounding
in timber and mineral wealth. The river trade
has been ut the mercy of pirates, who either
levied high tolls for the privilege of transit or
corfscated the goods outright. The opening
of regular trade routes along the river to the
Chinese frontier and then beyond it to the
centre of Yunnan may render the new conquest
far more valuable than Cochin China has
provcd. This will be the ulterior purpose of the
negotiations upon which the French Govern
ment have already entered. a protectOrate Is
proposed, and vague threats are made of future
demands for an indemnity and the seizure OF
the islands on the Chinese seabOard. AT an
earlier stage OF the diplomatic campaign NJ.
Ferry offered to establish zone of neutral terri
tory between the Chinese and French frontiers,
but stipulated that the tow of Man-llaO iii
Yunnan should be opened to foreign trade
From this position he will not be likely to re-
cede in the hour of triumph. The opening of
trade with Western China will be the French
ultmatum. TO support this demand naval
demonstration may be made on the coast, but
the permanent occupation OF either f0rmosa or
Hainan is impracticabe. As for the Chusan
group. France is too wise to menace territory
which the British Government are bound by
treaties to protect.
The problem which the French have to solve
in Ton0uin is simple in comparison with the
Egvptian question. Lord Granville has been
eDdeavOring to obtain the consent of the Euro
pcan Powers to the suspension of the Law of
Iiouidation. Under that law it is impossible to
increase the Egyptian debt, and rs great de-
felt has been created by the military operations
under Hicks and Baker, by the awards of the
Alexandria Indemnity Commission. and the
cost of the British army of occupation, the
financial administration has become hopelessy
embarrassed. If the Egyptian officials had to
deal with the bondhOlders, IA was the case in
1876 some form of composition based on a re-
duction of interest and II consolidation Of loans
might be effected. But in 1850 the Powers
took the matter out of the hands of the creditors
and the Egyptian officials and enforced settle
ment by which q bankrupt Government was en-
abled TO conduct its administration. The cred
itors were compelled to relnqush a portion of
their claims, and the only compensating advant-
| agcsvlich they secured was the assurance that
| the debt should not be increased The nccessi-
| ties of the situation have become urgent that
| ord Granville has asked the Powers to set
| aside the Law of Liquidation. France and
| Russia have declined 10 acccde to the request
and have suggested European conference. If
they persist in their refusal Lord Granville will
have no alternative, but will eventually be COM
nclled to issue invitations for Il conference on
| Egyptian affairs, without limiting its action to
the consideration of financial questions. \
! Cairo dispatch states that one of the English
proposals will be the abolition OF the Egyptian
army. But a military force of some kind is
| necessary. Is this force to be permanent
British garrison, and is it to be supplemented
| by British civil service The bOndholders
| could afford TO accept a new financial cOmpro-
| mise if they were assured that a European
| Government would be responsible in future for
the administration of Egyptian affairs. But
| that is favor which the Liberal Ministry are
| not inclined 10 ask at the hands of Europe nor
is it by any means certain thatIeither France OF
| Russia would accede to the request.