The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-20

"Tho proposal made to u.s." added NJ.
Berthelot, seems TO require the unani.
NOUS consent OF the powers. Such con-
sent is equally necessary from n political
point of view, owing TO the unexpected
and great modification which the expedi-
tion has necessarily caused in the present
conflctions rs 10 the occupation of Egypt
by drawing upon that country dangers
with which Ii was threatened.
"These dangers are arousing fanaticism
which might even extend to the possess
sions OF France and other European ma
tions. In any case, they tend oindefl,
nitely prolong the occupation OF Egypt,
which occupation the British government
had constantly recognized as being Of a
provisional Character. '
Therefore, before granting co-opera-
tion, France thought 1t necessary TO ask
for explanations on certain, points, and
beg the chamber 10 be satisfied with these
explanations as the exchange Of views is
proceeding between the two govern
ments.p
The speech of the minister for foreign
affairs was punctuated throughout with
applause.
NJ, Berthelo.'s statement was made In
reply to the Duke of Arenbprg, who urged
France to establish herself strongly in the
Congo territory, in order that she may
have nothing To fear from the dervishes.
Egypt continues To be the chief topic of
discussion In the lobbies OF the chamber
Of deputies, and the statement made by
NJ. Berthelot adds abundant fresh ma
terial for discussion. The general feeling
is that NJ. Berthelots Language was mod
crate and cautious, and 1t has served to
dispel the anxiety OF the moderate poll
ticiups. vino were consumed with the fear
that France was rushing to an open rup-
ture with Great Britain and the dreibund
as result of the first semi-oflicial an
nouncement Of the remonstrance which
had been conveyed by NJ. Berthelot to the
British ambassador, the Marquis Of Duff
ferin.
As the situation adjusts itself and the
intentions of the different parties to the
European balance begin to emerge, it be.
comes more and more evident that
France Is Not Prepared
TO take any extreme measures to avert the
Nile campaign-not that she likes it any
better than when 1t was first broached
1t would be hard to find Frenchman
who sees in the proposed campaign any
thing but II plan OF aggression on the part
of Great Britain. They all deny utterly
that there is any need for 1t as q measure
of protection of Egyptian interests against
the dervishes. They protest that frances
interest in the welfare of Egypt is equal
60 or greater than Great Britain's or the
other powers.
1t is pointedly argued that large ma.
iority of all OF the Egyptian fund-holders
arc French citizens and that II Egyptian
interests were really threatened by tho
dervishes, France would have ms much in
terest in protecting them rs has Great
Britain. Sho also, IL Is argued, has
greater interest in the dissipation Of the
Egyptian surplus in needless expense than
has Great Britain.
The only purposes which anyone in
Franco will consent to see in the British
plan are, first, an excuse for prolonging in-
definitely the hated occupation of Egypt
by the British troops, and, second, n reoc-
cupation of the Soudan with the intention
OF barring the future designs of France for
n prosperous colonial expansion of the
upper Nile
There is the keencst disappointment
selt here at Germany's aSsenting to sGrept
britain's proposal TO expend the Egyp-.
sian surplus interest in the Nile cam
paign. The GernIan and French COLONIAL
projects in Central Africa. have been con-
ductcd on the most friendly terms, and
have submitted In common to the grups
bling disapproval OF Great Britain. TIE
Franco German agreement accords France
the UNRESTRICTED right to acquire territory
60 the eastward Of her present possessions,
sven 10 thcpoint OF intervening between
british Uganda and the southern Esyp'
tian possessions.
Reasoning from past accord with Ger
many I'm Central Africa, French states
men seem to have entertained hope that
germany would decline To acquiescc in 10
british project to thwart French plans on