, 1891-10-28

at present, nor could the English quit the
land of the Pharaohs at a moment when the
> Mahdi, at the head Of $1,000 well-armed men
might cause serious anxiety to the KhediVe in
Upper Egypt and to the English themselves in
the country between Berba and Suakin.-I6id.
High praise is given to the conciliatory
disposition evinced by the German Emperor
in decreeing the abolition of the vexatious
passport system for Alsace-L Lorraine. The
Russian organ published at Brussels regards
this step as a fresh guarantee Of peace. II re-
marks, among other things, that Germany
is so strong a Power and William II. so firm
a sovereign that there is no reason for sus-
pecting that any of those somewhat subtle
and complicated calculations which played a
certain part in the English policy at Ports
mouth had a share in the determination at
which his Majesty has arrived. The suppress
sion of the passport regime is simply a proof
that the Kaiser not only believes in peace,
but is working hard to secure it, and this be-
ing the case it is an event Of the utmost i'm
portance.-Ibid-
NJ. Ribot, Minister for Foreign Affairs and
Deputy for the Pas de Calais, was present to-
day at Bapaume, snear Amiens, where amonu-
ACh HNC I'LL IN w OOhOAO Il OAAhO4 ~ WIN
gave some trouble in this district to the Ger
mans under Won Manteufel, in 1871. The
French always speak of the affair at Bapaume
as a victory but, whatever the success gained
by Faidherbe, it was ininitesimal and had no
effect on the campaign. lie had to retreat
with the Army of the North towards st. Quen-
tin, and complained that, like Hannibal, he
could win, but was unable to take advantage of
his success. NJ. Ribot was to-day accompa-
MED by General Mensier, representing M. de
Freycinet, Minister Of War, and by several
officers of the army and navy. The Minister
for Foreign Affairs, in speaking before the
persons assembled around the monument,
referred to General Faidherbe as one who had
been a consolation to France in her defeat,
and who would have prevented disaster had
he been able to do so by pure patriotism and
uncOnquerable courage. He was the type of
the laborious officer who sought to cut no
figure, but to do his duty, and France was
always able to count upon such modest and
valiant soldiers when she required their
services, Referring next to the army of to-
day, M. Ribot reminded his hearers that when
Faidherbe sheathed his sword, after the
Franco German campaign, France was with
out soldiers or a Government. Twenty years
work and sacrifice had changed all that, and
now the national forces were strong and dis
ciplined. The Republic, too, had shown
Europe that it could govern, and what was
the consequence ? " Europe, after having held
aloof some time, had at last rendered Justice
to the Republic. A forespeing Sovereign,
r~esolute in his determinations, peaceful as the
french themselves, had publicly shown the
deep sympathies uniting his country to ours"
Needless to say, these illusions to Russia were
received by NJ. Ribot's hearers with unbounded
enthusiasm. there were numerous cries of
Vive lie Tsar," and the speaker was obliged to
pause for several moments. Continuing his
address, the Minister dwelt on the reciprocity
of cordial feelings between French and Rus
SLAMS, on the hearty receptions given to French
sailors, not only at Cronstadt, but at Danish,
Swedish, and Norwegian ports, the cruise of
the feet terminating at Portsmouth, where
the Queen herself reviewed the ships, and
where a hospitable reception was accorded to
Admiral Gervais and the officers and men
under his orders. All these signs and tokens
of friendship and good feeling were shown to
France because it was now recognised that she
afforded a necessary guarantee to the general
equilibrium of Europe. All this was the patient
work of years both in home and foreign policy.
M. Ribot remarked that he was ever ready to
continue the work begun by his predecessors.
The new situation Of strength and prestige,
however, did not need a new policy. The
old noliev was good enough TO follow