The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-19
THE CAMPAIGN UP The NILE
FRANCE FEARS HER OBJECTION WILL Be
TAKEN TOO SERIOUSLY
Tho Popular cIamor For Even More Decisive
Measures Rouses Fears Of the Hostility
Of England and the Dreibund-Troops
Advance From Cairo
Associated Press Special Wire

| Associated Press special Wire
| PARIS, March 1S.-The French govern
ment gives evidence tonight that the an
nouncement by Berthelot yesterday as to
the remonstrance he had offered against the
| Egyptian campaign up the Nile in con-
versation with the Marquis of Duffern,
has been taken much more seriously than
| they were prepared for. The outbreak of
approval from the French press and people
and the popular c'amor for even more
decisive measures o. protest seem to have
alarmed the government and awakened an
| apprehension that they are being precipi-
tated into a position OF hostility to the plan
of Great Britain, backed by the approval
of the dreibund. which might entail the
gravest consequences. Tho enthusiasm
awakened in France in fact, seems to
enter more into approximations of the
French ministers than the irritation abroad.
As a consequence steps have been taken to
dull little the seemingly sharp edge of
the communication made to the British
ambassador by M. Berth-lot, the minister
of foreign affairs. The following explana.
| tion with is distinct tones of depreciation,
is made semi-officially tonight:
| "1esterdays noe was merely short
| and rapidly drafted summary of the objec-
tions which France found it necessary to
| formulate in view of the unexpected and
sudden decision of Great Britain. France
that she did not intend to ignore the matter.
But this in nowise implied a hostile attitude.
Onthe contrary they think, in view of the
mutual friendly relations, frank and out
spoken language will contribute to the re-
moval of misunderstandings.
The interview between M. Berthelot and
the Marquis of Dufferin was one of the
friendliest character. 1t was pointed
out that it was incumbent upon the guard
ians of the Egyptian fund to ascertain the
necessity for an action entailiug large out
lays and that it was preferable that the at
titude to be taken should be defined at
the outset, instead of being left in doubt"
The Figaro says: Great Britain's atti-
tude is an outrage upon Europe and is vir.
tually breach of faith. The marquis OF
Salisbury is more deeply committed than
he wished through the action of Baron
Cromer (the British diplomatic agent to
Egypt who, by sending a small force up
the Nile, instead of sending 10000 men
necessary to capture DongOla, hopes for
reverse which will involve the sending of
reinforcements of British troops to the
front and the consequent prolonging of the
occupation of Egypt by the British troops.
The Garlois remarks: Russia is in ac.
cord with France, and Germany will also
| be on their side as soon as the Italian in
| terests are removed from the question and
the affair becomes purely English.
The Eclaire expresses the opinion that
! the interview between M. Berthelot and
the marquis of Duiferin, ''proves that
! France is not disposed to encourage
! policy which does not sufficiently respect
French interests in Egypt and she has
many reasons for objecting to Great
Britain engaging in a great adventure
! which she considers of value and which is
disquietiug the European chancellors."
| The Matn asserts that the British expe-
dition up the Nile is ''proof that Great
Britain is finding difficulty in defending
the policy she would like to maintain in
spite of the opposition of Europe"
"Continuing, the Matin says: I'm refus-
ing to allow the Egyptian funds to be ex--
pended on an expedition by which England
alone would benefit, France has placed the
latter country in an awkward position and
one from which she cannot escape"
On top of the last mentioned question.
, however, came dispatch from Berlin this
morning saying that the North German
Gazette announces that Great Britain has
asked the powers sharing in the control of
the Egyptian debt administration to allow
her to use a portion of the reserve fund to
Clefray the cost of the expedition TO Dom
COLA, which at present is estimated to
only amount to G2.OOO,O0O and that Ger
many, having ascertained that her accept
ance of the proposal would accord with the
views of the other governments forming
| the Cireibund, particularly the Italian cabi-
| net, has instructed the German commits
| sion of the public debt at Cairo accord
| ingly.
| This, of course, places Great Britain be-
fore the world as being again supported by
| Germany and must tend to upset the CAL
| culations of the statesmen here who have,
| in spite of the recent conferences at Ber.
| lin, been hugging themselves with the be-
| lief that the estrangemeut between the
kaiser and Great Britain, growing out of
the Tranavaal incident, was go deeply
rooted that there was probability OF an
alliance between Germany, France and
| Russia against Great Britain, particularly
in regard to the latter's colonial policy in
| Africa. For them, the North German Ca
zette's announcement, if true, must prove
rude awakening to the realities of the
situation which has grown out of the terri
bic defeat of the Italian army at Adowa
and that subsequent solidification of the
| dreibund at Berlin.
| There is, however, another feature in the
game being played between the powers at
here from Rome today say that French
| and Russian agents are actively intriguing
| there in efforts to detach Italy from the
dreibund. 1t is asserted that these agents
| have spent great deal or money in
order TO assist in bringing about the
premier, who was known to be staunch
adherent of the dreibund, and incidentally
| to help the accession to power OF the mar
| qnis di Rudini, who is reported to he luke
| warm toward the dr0lDunu. lnSS0 agents
are now said to be doing everything pos
| sibIe to influence the Italian cabinet to Ell.
| feet change in its foreign policy which
would detach Italy from her allies. But
| even the most sapguine politicians OF the
French capital doubt If anything will be
| accomplished in this direction. especially
after the honor bestowed upon Eing Meme
| lik by the czar and the clear evidence in
| the possession of the Italian government
! that French and Russian agents have for
| long time past been actively and contin.
| ually assisting the Abyssinians with ad.
vice and furnishing them with improved
| arms and ammunition.
/ If Italy detaches herself from the dre-
bupd she must do SO before May of the
present year, on which day notice must be
given by any power desiring to withdraw
from the dreibund; otherwise the ''bond of
the three powers continues for another
six years..
A special dispatch from Rome says that
it is reported there that Emperor William
desires modification of the dreibund
which would enable Germany to come to
an understanding with Russia in regard to
the Balkans. But as the Balkan question
was one of the most important factors in
! bringing about the formation of the drel-
bund the Rome dispatch is not much con-
sidered here. Germany would most likely
find herself supported by Austria and Ita:y
and sympathized with by Great Britain in
any action she might think herself com.
PEELED to take in the settlement of the