New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-28
THE IDEAS OF PAUL BERT
THE RED RIVER DELTA A WEDGE TO SPLIT
THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

uaOTOlnaGy 10 Lne french possessions III the far
East has occasioned more comment in newspaper
and political circles than any other act of the new
Ministry. "You must so very far back in our diplo-
matte history" said NJ. Paul Bert 10 me the other
day with evident delight, to find the like Of my
nomination. If except the Army and Navy, can
didates for French diplomatic honors are almost iu-
variably selected from n body of men who have
devoted their life to diplomacy. In sending me ont
to T0nguin NJ de Freycinet has made q new de-
| parture at the French Foreign Office and has iml-
tatcd the long standing practice OF England and the
United States" Recently spent an hour with NJ.
| Paul Bert in order TO learn his diagnosis Of the
colonial fever which has attacked so virulently
during the last few years almost every European
nation and which has threatened more than once
| to prove fatal to the Third Republic. | was also
| curious to know what plans the new Minster-ReSi-
dent was cOgitatng order to pacify the ndigenes
of TOnquin ana the Radicals of France. neither OF
which parties Is satisfied with tho recent conquest
NJ Paul Bert who is as affable and communlca-
| tive as lie is learned and brOad-minded fully
gratifed both of my wishes.
The distinguished physiologst, professor. deputy,
author and jourast-for NJ. Paul Bert is all of these
ives IN modest apartments in plain house stu
ated Just behind the Central Wine Market near the
Garden of Plants. To reach the little drawing
room you have to pass through the dining-roOm,
where You often find Nine. Paul Bert-an ntelli-
gent Scotch woman, if | am not mistaken, who has
probably nstied into her husband the radical
opinions that lie holds the woman question
with her bevy Of daughters all seated around the
big table and bus,ly engaged in coming their les
sons. Wife and daughters are to sail on February
III for q three years soourn in Asia with this hUs-
band and father who, although an Ambassador, is
a model paier tdptilids VI. AdOlDh WON whom you
know in Ncw-York the author of the immense
allcgorcal composition in the Stewart Gallery sent
fine full-length portrait of NJ. Paul Bert to the
Salon of 1880. IL now hangs on the walls of the
drawing room that have just entered. The artist
represents his subject as a strongly built man of
medium height in middle life with broad almost
TeutOnic face, a high forehead, heavy gray-black
hair a stnbby mustache and a little patch of
goatee, while the whole physiognomy, which Is
rather hard is softened aud lighted mp by the gay
somewha cunning expression of the eyes. The pOr-
trait predisposes you in favor of this much dis
cussed both pro and con public character and when
he pushes aside the oriental tapestry that wells the
door of his study. You enter and shake his warm
sturdy hand with a feeling AKIN to enthusiasm.
NJ Paul Bert Is a charming man to interview"
He talks with a volubllity and an abandon that is
delightful | hesitatcd at first to breach the sub
ject of his diplomatic mission, knowing how much
penetrable mystery. But the new minister plunged
of his own accord IN raeiids res my errand is one
of peace go to Tonqun bearing an olive branch
IN my hand The rapne and blOOdshed that has
characterized events in the Far East for the past
five years must cease. shall call off our soldiers
and teach the natives TO consider us their friends
This will be the burden of my first years action.
If 40 not succeed in pacfying that country within
tvelye-mo nth. / will consider my embassy
failure | mean TO turn my attention to roads,
canals schools and the like and show those people
that European civilization means something else
than war And it shall be my special care TO put an
end to internecne contests among tho inhabitants
of our new possessions This savage warfare is the
curse Of uncivllized lands. Mungo Park during his
African travels century ago. used to breakfast
in one village dine in another and sleep IN third
Bat now YOU often journey three days IN this same
region before reaching village. The unfrendly
tribes nave nearly destroyed themselves Now the
Tonquincse like the Africans are very prolific.
Make peace reign, and whole districts that are at
present deserts will be filled with life. And If
Europe is TO derive any benefit from these Asiatlc
and African possessions, il must be under these
conditions. CiyIlize and populate the Congo and
Tonqu II and the demand for our manufactures will
be such that not even the most radical Of our RAD
Gals i'll oppose any longer the colonial policy that
they are now lighting tooth and nail
But see in TOnquin something mole than u
market for our products. The growth of French
influence in Asia is check TO English domination in
that region, and the vast possessions that now
have there cut in twain the British colonial circle
which beginning At Gibraltar, passing along the
Mediterranean skirting the southern coast of Asia,
and touching at various islands in the Pacific,
finally sweeps across North America to the Atlantic.
Then too we are but forty -olGht hours from India
With Russia pushing forward on one side and
France doing the same on another. liindoostan will
one of these days get pretty tightly squeezed, and
NJ Paul Bert's face radiant with Joy over this
happy prospect England will be lost le con-
tinued with renewed fire. if she gets involved in
another general European war. Her great navy
will be of no use TO her. Nobody will attack the
British isles nor British ronclads. The objective
noint will be English merchantmen The vast fleet
of steamers carrying the British flag and the trade
of tho world Will be swept from the hlgh seas by
the warshps of France, Germany, or Italy. Or OF
nil conbined and the British Empire will be
thing of the past and England VIII tall 10 the rank
of second-rate power. The revival IN continental
Furope of the spirit of colonial expansion that
characterized the sixteenth and seventeenth cen
tures will thus contribute largely to the downfall
of England France Germany; itay: SPAN, ;t ana
the last few years, turned their attention with fresh
energy to the acquisition OF outlying lands IN the
future. therefore England Will find rivals every
where a.. .,,..
While my host was indu ging in this TRADE against
John Bull | remembered two steel engravlngs that
had seen "A moment before in the hallway, repre-
senting English naval victories over the French
during the wars OF the Revolution but u may De
that these pictures were brought into the house by
Nine Paul Bert However that may be, u Is past
question that NJ Paul Bert has a hearty dislike OF
England and the English. Nor Is he IN TINS respect
alone among lis countrymen. frencbnen OF all
POLITICAL hues look upon Englishmen as selfish lot
hypocritical AZ Tartufe and inscriptions and
tricky as Machiavelli NJ. Paul Berts antipathy TO
ENGLAND becomes intensified in the case OF Ger
many. He manitests on all occasions an inPlsca,
BILE hatred of the Fatherland Things leutonle
r rag on a bull. "You ask what Bismarck
alter" he said in reply to my question concerning
the significance of the present passion OF the Iron
Chancellor to set up the imperial standard wher-
ever il can find standing room on Claimed or IN
claimed lands "Well, In Africa the aim 10 cyl
IDENTIFY commercial one. Germany wishes to DIS
pose Of her manufactures to the natives There can