, 1892-05-07

ever, did not consider itself justified in offer
ng any advice on the subject. Ii wished it
to be known, nevertheless, that this docu-
ments proved that during the past three years
the naval and military oompaanders and the
civil officials in the Blight of Benin had been
unanimous in favour of energetic action. and
that their counsels seemed to have been disre-
gatded owing to the fact that the attention #
the Government was mainly engrossr,t ly
domestic affairs. The mistakes which had
been committed must not be repeated. and
NJ. Chsutemps added that he had been re-
quested by his colleagues to say that a very
painful impression had been produced on their
minds by the perusal of documents which
showed "a singular lack of cohesion between
the different services which were called upon to
cooperate in the defence of the flag on the
Slave Coast. The Committee proposed the
adoption Of a Bill for the opening Of a credit
Of 100000 for the expenses of tho occupation
OF Dahomey. The long debate which ensued
took place in a full house. The galleries re-
served for the spectators were orammed and
the Diplomatic box WAS well tenanted, the
Marquis and Marchioneas of Dufferin, Count
Hoyos, and the Duke de Mandas occupying
seats in the front row. NJ. GaiIlard. who
spoke for more than an hour, made 9
vehement onslaught upon the Colonial
policy. He would vote the grant for the
benefit Of the troops. but with NJ. Maujan and
NJ. Pichon he would ask for a reduction of a
thousand francs In order to show the feeling of
the Chamber on the subject.
NJ. Etienne, the late ColoniAl Under-Secre-
tary, defended the policy that had been pur-
sued, and argued that it was q matter of great
Importance that France should open UP the
Soudan. He described Dahomey as an old
French colony" and asked if France should
remain mOtlonleSs when all the nations were
seeking outlets III Africa. France was strong
and wealthy, and had a right TO assert herself.
She WAS IN a position to make her claims
respected in Europe and throughout the
world, Then followed NJ. Camille Pelletan
with ST. ong criticism Of the Colonial policy"
What was the trade in those remote regions?
he asked. The Slave trade, cried Nj. Gle
menceau, and then his lieutenant proceeded
to treat the House to an extract from a book,
in which it was asserted that the sole com
nerce of Senegal was in slaves and arms.
Loud protests arose, but N. Pellotan stuck to
his guns and read a passage from another work
by q naval officer, wherein it was stated that
the slave trade existed in the Soudan and
Senegal. THAT is quite true" cried NJ.
Doloncle, amid excitement. Ri. Jamais, the
Colonial Under-Secrstary, then stated that the
Government adhered to all it's declarations"
1t asked for the credits, and it was for the
Chamber to say whether it had confidence in
it. "No, we have not Y shouted some of the
Republicans, amid renewed uproar. NJ. Jsmais
repeated that he desired an expression of con-
fdence. Soon afterwards the general debate
was brought to a close. NJ. Maujan and NJ.
Guillard then asked for a reduction of l,000f,
while Due de Doudeuville demanded an addi-
ton of 6000f to free the officers and soldiers
from their dangerous position. This led to 9
fresh display of excitement. d. Loubet said
that he could mol except any change, as this
would be regarded as u snub TO the Cabinet.
M. M6ge created some sensation by declaring
that the advice of the officers had been ahso-
lutely disregarded. Orders had actually been
given to the commander of q man-of-war not
to help the soldiers who were fighting. Colo
mel T%errillon, after q days hard fighting, had
gone on board and had asked Captain Fourier
for reinforcements, and the latter had replied,
with tears in his eyes. that he was not allow
ed to supply them. These and other critI-
cisms brought to the Tribune III. de Freycinet,
who said that he would not deny the story
about Colonel Terrillon, but this had nothing
to do with his department. "Sauve qui peutl'
shouted a number Of Deputies, and there was
another scene. Soon afterwards NJ. Cavaignac,
the Minister of Of Marine, said that he would
reply to the insult of NJ. Mcgee. 1t was not
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