The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-03-30
ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
Another Controversy Anent Their
African Possessions
THE SITUATION GROWS CRITICAL.

The French Minister of Foreign Anairs
win on Thursday Next Reply to n Per-
House of Commons.
LONDON, March 80.-The statement which
Sir Edward Grey, parliamentary secretary
of the foreign Office made in the house of
commons, saying that an advance Of tho
French into the territory of the Upper Milo
valley belonging to the Royal Niger COM
pany, and, therefore, under British pro.
lection, would be an unfriendly act, and
that it was well known to France that
Great Britain would so regard It, is oaus-
ing profound sensation here and on the
continent.
Sir Edwards announcement, which was
read from notes believed to have been
written by the secretary of state for foreign
affairs, the Earl of Kimberley, is looked
upon as revealing the extremely critical
relations now existing between France
md Great Britain. The fact that the state
ment was prepared in writing beforehand
emphasizes tho seriousness of the situa'
tion, and shows that every word embodiss
the views of the cabinet
In brief, the statement is that it is be-
coming daily more difficult TO live on
good terms with France; that Great Brit
ain has made concession after concession
in the past two years in the interests Of
peace; but that the end has now come, and
that 1t Is found necessary to warn France
from the ministerial bench.
The most important and significant por-
| tion of Sir Edward Grey's statement was
the following:
But something beside our own efforts
Is necessary, and that is the co operation
OF the French government and the French
/ people"
The Royal Niger company, chartered by
the British government, has an empire in
| Africa. 1t claims half million square
miles, stretching from the Guinea coast
| far back into tho Dark Continent. The
/: company not only carries on extensive
trade, but it provides all the machinery Of
an elaborate government including u
strong military force. Besides, it has tho
privilege of calling on the British navy for
help.
Great Britain, Germany and France
agreed many years ago to divide up among
them large part of Guinea. Britain took
the so-called Gold Coast, Germany the
| Cameroons and France the Slave Coast.
Naturally tho boundaries have never been
exactly defined and there has been deal
of friction, especially between France and
England. There have been sundry con
ventions in regard TO border lines, result
ing in the agreements Of 1885, 1886, 1890
and 1883; but still the disputes go on In
crcaslng in bitterness.
The foreign departments Of Britain and
! France have had numerous knotty prop
lens before them in the last few months,
and more than once an outbreak of hostil-
tiles has been feared. No subject hns moro
real danger in 1t at present for those two
+ countries than the subject of African pos.
sessions.
PARIS, March 80. On Thursday next
NJ. Hanotaux minister Of foreign affairs,
: will reply to an Interpolation in the cham
!, ber of deputies ON the statement made in
3 the British house of commons by Sir Ed.
. ward Grey concerning the relations be-
= tween France and Great Britain.