The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-22
France Left Out,

| In the last nineteen years no lnClQenC mas
80 strikingly exhibited the political isolation
and helplessness OF France as the agreement
| by which England and Germany have par
| celled out between them the best part Of
| Africa. France is the second naval power
| on earth; indeed, her arlnored fleet has been
pronounced by some British naval authori-
ties to be almost equal to that OF their own
country. Yet her claim to be considered in
the division Of the only great field remain
ing for colonization, is passed over with as
much disdain as II her national decadence
were as undisputed and irreparable as is that
OF Portugal or Holland. There Is even
treaty in existence by which England bound
herself not to restrict the Independence Of
the Sultan Of Zanzibar without the consent
OF France; yet assured OF the good will Of
Germany, the British Government has dealt
with this treaty as IL it were waste paper.
leaving Frenchmen to gnash their teeth
In impotent resentment.
This is melancholy ending Of the dream
Of colonial empire conceived by COLBERT.
and which at one period of the eighteenth
century seemed not unlikely to be realized.
Indeed, 1t may be said that never has
France felt herself safe and strong at home
MlIuOuI experiencing IoNlNul VI Jno lIQ-
pulse to seek possessions beyond the seas.
Scarcely had NAPOLEON l., recognizing his
inability to cope with England on the ocean,
cedcd the Louisiana territory to the United
States, than he hit upon a new scheme OF
procuring for France an empire In the New
World by seating his brother JOSEPH on the
throne OF Spain. The restored Bourbons pro-
jected that conquest Of Algeria which was
carried out under LOUIS PHILIPPE. The
reign OF NAPOLEON LII. was signaized
by the occupation OF Cochin China
and the abortive attempt to convert
Mexico into French dependency. Even the
third republic has had its visions OF colonial
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 1t has annexed the rice
swamps OF Tonquin, and has set up protec-
torates over AMMAN Madagascar, and Tunis.
Conformity with England. the French repub
lie at one time exercised control over ERypt,
an advantage which 1t might have retained
to this day, had 1t not thought fit to leave
Its partner in the lurch after tho rejection OF
the Joint ultimatum by ARABI Pasha. Ono
can hardly doubt that. had the former
friendly association continued. instead of
giving place to Jealous and acrimonious
attitude on the part Of France. the latter
taken part with England in the division OF
East Africa AS it Is, a considerable fraction
Of the earth's surface Is distributed without
20 much rs saying to the French republic:
By your leavel
What will aggravate the situation In the
eyes OF patriotic Frenchmen is the impossi-
bility OF making an effective protest, and
the danger Of doing anything to drive
England further In the path that leads TO
cooperation with the triple alliance 1t Is
quite possible, indeed, that the cabled re-
port Is we'll founded and that in the first
heat of Indignation the French and Russian
Governments have decided to demonstrate
against the establishment OF British pro-
tectorate over Zanzibar. The demonstra-
ton, however will be futile. In reply Lord
SALISBURY has only to recall Russia's repu-
dtation OF the clause In the treaty OF Paris |
which forbade her to keep ships OF war on |
the Black Sea; while he can remind France |
that the protectOrate over Tunis was carried |
out In the teeth of capitulations previously |
entered into by other European nations with |
the Boy. The truth Is that respect for trea- |
ties is rather what theologians call a counsel |
OF perfection than fact. The fundamental
OF international law is still couched
In the formula, they shall take who have
the power, and they shall keep who can"
In the calculation OF the chances Of a great
Continental war between the triple alliance
on the one hand and France and Russia on
the other. the neutrality of England has al
ways been taken for granted. 1t has been
that self-interest would impel her
to assume such an attitude, since she would
not only DO able to enforce the rights OF neu-
trails. but to profit by them immensely alb
sorbing in all likelihood the carrying trade
OF the whole world. In case England should
take such position, France In the possible
of success upon the Rhine, could
not only regain Alsace-L Lorraine, but
strip Germany OF all her colonial pos