New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-15
4 GREAT TRIUMPH FOR FRANCE.

The French Treaty with China is the first con-
spcuOus success which the Republic has
achieved in its foreign policy. A sensitive
Nation that has played a great part in the
history of Europe, fighting single handed all the
chief States at once, has been forced for fourteen
years to remain in the background Vanity is
National characteristic that has survived the
overthrow of the Empire, and there is every
reason to believe that Frenchmen, as a rule,
have been mortified and rritated to find the Re-
public possessed of so little influence in the di-
plomacy of Europe. Isolated in the councils of
the Continent, deprived of its legitimate infu-
ence in the worlds affairs the Republic had to
choose between an era of pacific development
and ignOble inactiOn and a career of adventure
and conquest at the ends of the earth. Inc
choice was made by Ministries which were
fecbly and rresolutely supported by the depu-
ties. The Tunisian expedition was speedily
followed by the Madagascar raid, the Congo in
trigue and the Tonquin campaign and at last
real and substantial victory has been won. The
operations in Tonquin were beset with DUH
culties and dangers, but the Republic has per-
severed in the face of criticism from London
sneers from Berlin and threats and buster from
Pekin. The strOnghOlds fell one after another;
China did not venture to take the field; ana Il
convention wherein France is granted every
thing which could reaSOnaf ly be claimed has
been signed. Such n triumph as this cannot fan
to leave permanent impression upon the Ma
tiOnal character. 1t will not only add greatly
to the political authority of Premier Ferry, but
it will also strengthen the position of the Re
public
A Republic in Europe stands on different
plane from a Republic in America. On the
Continent standing armies are on guard; there
is a great circle Of barracks and camps pacific
tendencies and industrial progress seem to
imply a lack of stability and power. French
men have felt for long time that they were in
a false position that they were maintaining the
largest and most expensive. army in Europe,
and yet were desrsed for their sluggishness
and want of spirit and that the influence OF their
Government in Europe was of small account
Their mercurial temperament will respond
quickly to the impulses of vainglorOus satisfac-
ton which their signal success in Tonquin in
spires. The doubts previously entertained re-
spccting the wisdom of policy of commercial
rivalry with Great Britain. will be dispeled.
They are now in possession of lesser India,
and are intrenched on the land from
tiers of the Celestial Empire, where no Euro
pean Power has been allowed to secure foot
hold The land routes leading into the centre
of China are under their control. Great COM
meIcial enterprises seem to be at their COM
nand. BY their courage and good fortune they
have done something to regain their reputation
in Europe. All these considerations will have
weight with public Judgment in France; and on
this account the Tonquin campaign may be
most significant movement in cOntempOraneous
history. 1t may sway the imagination of the
French people for a season and indicate that
strong race traits have survived cycle of
political change and social revolution.