The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-03-20
THE EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN
FRANCE HATES THE SCHEME BUT FEARS
TO MAKE OBJECTION
Not Only Is the Dissipation Of the Egyptian
Budget Certain, But a Fanntical War Is
Likely to Bar Further French Colonial
Extension In Egypt

| Associated Press Special Wire.
| PARIS, March 19.-The minister OF for
eign affairs, M. Berthelot, in the chamber
of deputies today. commented unfavora-
| bly, upon the proposed British expedition
to DoDgoia and intimated that France was
not inclined to consent to the use of the
Egyptian surplus to defray the expenses of
| the expedition.
M. Berthelot said that Great Britain, in
order to utilize tho Egyptian surplus to de-
| fray the expenses of the expedition to Dom
COLA, needed the authority of the commits
sion OF Egyptian debt, and had asked the
| acquescence of France to such q scheme
But, continued the minister, that matter
seemed open to the most serious financial
| and political objections. as it directly en-
| dangered the interests of the fundhoiders,
I of whom three-quarters were French. Be-
sides, he asserted, the expedition was Of
i fensive and barely defined. 1t might in
volve an unlimited expense, which would
not only absorb the 100000 asked, but
would eventually, perhaps. dissipate the
1 whole reserve.
1.-THE proposal made to u.s." added NJ.
| Berthelot, "seeTns to require the unnni-
nous consent OF the powers" prolonged
| cheers.)
"These dangers are arousing fanata-
| cism which may even extend to the possess
sions of France and other European ma
tons. In any case, they tend indefinitely
to prolong the occupation of Egypt, which
| occupation the British government has
| constantly recognized as of provisional
character. Therefore, before granting co..
| operation, France thought it necessary to
| ask for explanations ON certain points and
NJ. Berthelot begged the chamber to be
satisfisd with these explanations. as the
exchange of views is proceeding between
| the two governments"
| The speech of the minister of foreign af-
| fairs was frequently interrupted with ap.
| plause.
Egypt continued to be the chief topic of
discussion all day in the lobbies of the
| chamber of deputies, and the statement
made by the minister of foreign affairs.
| M. Berlhelot, adds abundant fresh ma
| terial for discussion. The general feeling
Is that NJ. Berthelot's language was mod
crate and cautious and it has served to dis
pei anxiety of the moderate politicians,
| who were consumed with the fear that
France was rushing to an open rupture
F.! with Great Britain and the dreibund,
as result of tho semi-off1cial announce
Inent OF the reInonstrance which had
been conveyed by NJ. Berthelot to
the British Ambassador, the marquis of
Dufferin. As the situation presents itself
and the intentions of the different parties
to the European balance begins to emerge,
it becomes more evident that France is not
prepared to take any extreme measures to
avert the Nile campaign. Not that she
likes IL. any OetLeE IMAM WISH IL was IFSV
broached it would be hard to find a
Frenchman who sees in the proposed cam.
paign anything but a plan of aggression OH
the part Of Great Britain. They all deny
utterly that there is any need for it as q
measure of protection Of Egyptian inter.
ests against the Dsrvishes.
They protest that Frances interest in the
welfare of Egypt ia equal to or greater
than Great Britain's or the other powers.
The only purpose which any one in
| France will consent 10 see in the British,
plan, 10. first, an excuse for prolongirg in
definitely the hated occupation OF Egyp pit
by the British troops, and, second. q re-
occupation OF the Soudan with the inten.
ton Of barring the future designs of France
for prosperous colonial expansion on the
Upper Nile. NJ. Berthelot referred today
to the dangers which would result from
arousng religious fanatacism, not only to
Egypt, but which, in the language of the
minister of foreign affaira, Knight even
extend to the posses sious OF France and
other European nations"
Tho precipitation of a holy war among
the fanatical Moslem hordes of the Khal-
ifa Abdula would be viewed with conster-
nation in France. The growth of France
sphere of influence east of Lake Tschad, in
Central Africa, has extended over pretty
much Of the Mohammedan states of
Baghuiri, Wadai and Darfur, and her
colonial policy is all devoted to maintain
ing cordially of relations, on which de-
ponds the success of her future plans,
which avowsdly include an extension of
influence to the Nile basin itself. French
men believe the British purpose in the
Nile campaign isto put bar to the sue
cess of these French colonial plans.
The German and French colonial pro-
jects in Central Africa have been con.
Quoted on the most friendly terms and
have submitted in common to the grumb-
ling disapproval Of Great Britain. The
the unrestricted right to acquire territory
to the eastward OF her present possessions,
even to the point of intervening between
British Uganda and the Southern Egyptian
possessions.
Nevertheless, Franco is not prepared to
Nile expedition. French statesmen are
alive to the fact that the Egyptian project
is not without its bitter opponents among
the Englishmen themselves
France will rely on the development OF
English sentiment against the project moro
than on any overt act to prevent it. There
ia skepticism felt and expressed here about
frances power to prevent the expenditure
of the Egyptian budget under the present
circumstances. The value of the argument
made 10y NJ. Barthelot in his address to the
chamber today that unanimity of approval
among the guaranteeing powers is required
to authorize the Withdrawal of Egyptian
funds is doubted even among Frenchmen.
1t is also feared that even though the
dissent OF Russia and France should hold
and the commissioners on the Egyptian
debt should not vote the sum required out
of tho Egyptian surplus. Grea6 Britain
would herself supply the money and men
and make the whole project a distinc ly
British enterprise; occupy the Soudan in
her own name, instead of that of Egypt.
and enter upon further aggressive action
in Africa.
ITALY WE'LL PLEASED
ROME, March 19.-The Italia today,
commenting on tie British-Egyptian adj
vance up the Nile, says:
1.-THE Egyptian advance on Dongola Is a
great advantage 10 Italy. Italy, however.
has been of great service to Great Britain
in aifording her a preteXt for showing Eu-
rope that the time to speak OF the evacua-
ton of Egypt has not yet arrived"
The full significance and extent of the
rioting is now clearly apparent, The press
censors succeeded in guppressing all but
the news OF tho most giaring outbreaks,
and even in those instances the reports
were toned down 10 the extent of making
them appear to be little more than popular
demonstration OF approval.
But it is an open secret that tho rioting
had much greater significance. 1t constr
tuted series of clear demon
gtrations against King Humbert, if
not against the monarchy itself.
The troops. in several instances, were
with great difficulty restrained from
joining the masses in their expressions of