The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-03-29
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
Significant Remarks Made in the
British Parliament
REGARDING THE ENCROACH.
MENT OF FRANCE IN EGYPT.

Spain Regards the Cuban Rebellion as
Serious and Will Put IT'D own If 1t
Requires 100000. .Soldiers-The Spanish
Minister Will Sail April 2nd-A Lesson
Taught by the War in China-VesseIs
Are Not a Match for Forts.
London, March 2S.-Sir E. Ashmead
Bartlett, Conservative, open ed an inter
esting debate in the Commons this eve
ming on Great Britain's relations to
France in Africa. He moved the reduc-
tion of the foreign Office estimates for
that purpose. He directed the attention
of the Houselto the encroachments the
government had permitted France to
make upon Siam and. in Africa. France
is still more active than Asia, ne said.
She was seizing African territories rec
ognized as being within tie British
sphere of influence.
Sir Edward Grey, parliamentary Sec
retary of the foreign Office said that
Great Britain stood in such position of
trust in Egypt as to make the British
and Egyptian spheres of influence cover
the whole Nile waterway. The House
ought to be careful about giving credence
to the rumor that a French expedition
was sent to the Nile country to occupy
the valley of the river. The foreign Office
had no reason to suppose that any French
expedition was either instructed so en-
ter the Nile valley or had intention to do
SO. He. could not believe it possible in the
face Of the fact that the British govern
ment's views were fully known to
France. The advance of the French ex-
pedition under secret orders from the
West side of Africa into the territory
subject to British claims, those righIful-
| ness were so long known, would be not
only an Inconsistent and unexpected act
but unfriendly and would be regarded a
sucn by the government. (Hear, hear.
| Without doubt the African affairs for the
| last two years had caused considera BILE
anxiety as to what might happen in the
future. During these years no provoGa-
| ton was given France from the British
side and England had striven to the ut
most to reconcile the occasional conflicts
| of interest. The government would con-
tinue to pursue this line OF policy omit
ting nothing calculated to maintain good
relations with France and at the same
time to uphold the undoubted claims
OF Great Britain. He relied upon the
sense Of justice characterizing the
French government and policy TO help
reconcile the conflicting interests of the
powers in the parts of the world but lit
tie known. Cheers
Joseph Chamberlain, the Liberal U n
ionist leader, spoke of Sir Edward y
! statement as the clearest and most sat-
isfactOry declaration yet heard on this
subject from Il responsible representa-
tive of the government. He now saw,
he said, that unless clear understand
n ~ oC n a fu1tn atf fn1 1rc
could be reached, the most serious conse-
| quences miaht easily ensue. The state
ment ought TO leave Great Britain .
| claims OH Egypt beyond all misunder-
standing. The whole Nile valley from
the lakes Of the sea was within either
/ Egyptian or British sphere of influence
and that the claim on Great Britain's
part had been within the knowledge of
France for five years. He assumed that
the claim was never disputed by France
| and he must remind the House, that .as
recently as the beginning of this month
a statement WAS made, unchecked, in
the French chamber, and in the pres
ence of the minister of foreign affairs;
that frances object was always to MAX e
England feel her presence in Egypt
harmful, and France could come up
with her elsewhere than in the Mediter-
ranean. If the French government did
not accept such statments, it ought to
repudiate them. France ought to be
questioned regarding her expedition to
the Nile valley. (Hear, hear.)
Henry Labouchre, the Radical leader,
pronounced Sir Edward Grey's speech as
a menace to France. (Oh, oh.) He
quite understood the cries of ooh, oh u
They came from Tory members who de-
| lighted to find Liberal minister acting
upon their principles. (Here, hear.
This speech was menace on the lines
OF the familiar warning of Hands off, .
Certain mem bers seemed to imagine the
Nile to be as much British property as
the Thames. He for one could mot feel
surprised that in view of such statements
France was not friendly. 4
| Sir Edward Grey denied that mis- state
ment implied any menace to France.
| (Hear, hear.) The question of the gen
eral settlement of their respective inter
ests in Africa was under discussion be-
| tween the two countries. The British
claims are not stated clearly. Sir Edward
Ashmead Bartlett said, in view of the sat
isfactory reply made by the government
be withdrew his motion.