St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-04-01
NJ BOURGEOIS EXPLAINS.
Two Powers Are Anxious as to Du-
ties In Madagascar.

Two Powers Are Anxious as to Du-
ties In Madagascar.
PARIS, March 31.-In the senate today M.
Bourgeois, the premier and minister for for
eign affairs, announced that two powers had
asked for further information regarding the
cancelling of the treaties with Madagascar.
He added that the government was preparing
a reply to these requests. Referring to the
Egyptian question, NJ. Bourgeois said that
after the decision Of the Egyptian debt COM
missioners to allow the reserve fund to be
used for the purpose of the British Egyptian
expedition up the Nile, France entered into
communication on the subject with Great
Britain, and the negotiations were still in
progress. France was firmly supported by Rus
STA in this matter, and their accord had never
been more complete cordial.
M. Bardoux asked NJ. Bourgeois to explain
the semi-oficial note issued on March II, and
purporting to explain that the proposed ad-
vance UP the Nile was great surprise to the
government and would serve to embitter the
anti-English feeling in France, at a time when
better entente was promised, adding that
Great Britain's explanation that the advance
was necessary in the interest of Egypt was
viewed with skepticism in France. M. Bour-
geois replied that the note was semi official
and could not be discussed by the senate.
NJ. Bardoux protested against the present
governments action regarding Madagascar,
Directing to the policy Of annexation which
had been substituted for the protectorate of
France over that island, thus creating diff
cuIties. M. Bardoux also complained that the
explanations; of M Bourgeois in regard to
Egypt were inadequate, and asked If the gov
eminent had any hope that Great Britain
would fulfill her promises. To this question
M. Bourgeois replied that the French govern
ment had in no way receded from the attitude
WHICH France had taken toward Egypt, but he
added the government could not enter into de-
tails at present as negotiations were still in
progress on the subject with Great Britain.
The matter was then dropped.
M. Bourgeois finally made statement in
reply to the long attack upon the govern
ment's policy made by Senator Bardoux, who
contended that M. Bourgeois had destroyed
the splendid position which France had gained
abroad during the tenure of Office of the last
government. M. Bourgeois he contended, had
bungled in Egypt, Madagascar and China, and
the senator pointed out particularly that the
opening of the West river to European trade
had destroyed the advantages of the French
railway from Langson to the frontier that the
Chinese loan had been obtained by Great Brit
ain, and also referred to the fact that Sir Rob-
ert Hart, an Englishman, was the head of the
customs service.
In his reply, M. Bourgeois said that France
would profit equally with the other powers in
the opening of the West river that the
Chinese loan had been placed in England be-
cause the conditions were not acceptable to
French financiers, and stated that the govern
ment was not aware of the appointment of
Sir Robert Hart. But, he continued. if China
decided to largely utilize foreign officials. the
government would know how to secure an
equitable share of the posts for Frenchmen.