New-York tribune., 1896-04-01
BOURGEOIS UNDER FIRE.
THE FRENCH PREMIER REPLIES TO
BOLD INTERPRETATIONS
CHINA BEING CLOSELY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO
A QUERY ON MADAGASCAR POSTPONED
FRANCE AND RUSSIA HAND IN HAND ON

=" CSERi ON hhDANhSIAts TOolTOErD-
FRANCE AND RUSSIA HAND IN HAND ON
THE EGYPTIAN QUESTION
Paris. March 31.-In the Senate to-day NJ Bar
doux. Moderate Republican. in accordance with
notice previously given, 1nterpellated the Govern
ment on several subjects In connection with its
Foreign policy. He first asked II 1t were true
that Sir Robert Hart. Inspector General OF the
Chinese Maritime Customs had been appointed
Postmaster-General by the Chinese Government
Prime Minister Bourgeois replied that he had
received no official notice OF such appoint
ment. but that the Senate might rest assured
that should China decide to reorganize her ad-
ministration the French Government would see
that the French people got fair share in the
distribution OF Offices.
2 NJ. Bardoux next asked II Ii were true that the
loan which China was lately negotiating had been
granted to British firms
NJ Bourgeois said that the new Chinese loan
had no other guarantee than the balance OF the
customs receipts left after the sums pledged to
secure the payment OF other loans one Of which
was issued to British bank the other being
the Russo-Chinese loan which was hoated last
year French financial firms, acting in full ac-
cord with Russian firms did not like these con-
ditlons. and had declined to take the loan, but
some British and German firms had accepted it.
NJ Bardoux then desired 10 be Informed
whether 1t was true that China had opened the
81 Kiang West RiveD 10 foreign navigation,
contrary TO her previous engagements
The Prime Minister said that no engagement
was ever made By China on that point He
added that II was needless to state to the Senate
that the opening Of the river, should 1t be grant
ed, would not constitute a special privilege to
or rffo
which was very important at Canton that be-
ing the place where Lyons buys her silks would
take advantage Of the opening OF the river.
France had been assured that the river would
not be opened unless the French Government
obtained for French company a concession for
the building OF a railroad I'm China.
The next question was for information re-
gardng the declarations made recently in the
British House Of Commons by the Hon. George
Curzon. Parliamentary Secretary OF the For
eign ONCE. to the condition under which goods
could be imported into Madagascar. what no.
tncaton on the subject had been made to for
eign governments, and what answers had been
received.
NJ. Bourgeois said that 1t was impossible to
treat such a large question incidentally. When
the bill concerning the tariff in Madagascar
came UP for discussion. then would be the time
I'VE have" he added. notified the Powers that
We have taken possession OF Madagascar. Most
OF them have answered that they accept the no.
tfcation without comment. Only TWO nations
have requested more particulars and are
now preparing answers In conformity with our
declarations In tn A,ll on the tariff now pend
ing before the Chamber OF Deputies"
AS to Egyptian affairs. NJ. Bourgeois spoke as
follows: The Senate IL aware. through the
declarations read on March 10 by VI. BerthelOt.
Of the view OF the Government toward the Brit
ish propositions relative 20 the Soudan expedi-
ton. You know. gentlemen what has been the
attitudeSof our representative the Egyptian
Debt Commission at Cairo. The Russian agent
has fully shared the French Views. Both these
representatives have acted In full accord They
said that the Commission was incompetent TO
decide a question Of such exceptional ana po-
litcal character Their opinion was not ac
cepted by the Commission and then they left
the meeting. after protecting against the Com
missions action. do not need TO speak about
The legal action that group OF bondholders has
instituted against the Egyptian Government
and against the Commission. On the other
hand the French Views have been brought 10
the notice Of the British Government. and nego-
,iatons on the subject are now in progress. The
Senate will understand that II 10 not possible
negotiations. beg leave only TO give you the
assurance OF the prudence and nrmness with
which these negotiations are being conducted by
France Allow 10 add that France, in the
rectitude OF her position. has met with the firm
accord OF Russia and | may further say that
the entente between the two Powers never
more complete more cordial than now am
glad to end BY making such declarations. hope
they will be received by you in such a manner
that the Government will find In your approba-
ton more authority to pursue its foreign policy"
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