St. Paul daily globe., 1896-03-19
THE WORDS OF Nj. BERTH
ELIOT.
DID NOT REALLY MEAN MUCH.
HE WAS TALKING ONLY ABOUT
THE FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF
EGYPT.
a VICTORY FOR THE DREIBuNp.
France VIII Not Oppose the Progress
of the British Campaign Up
the Nile.

PARIS, March 1S-The French gov
ernment gives evidence tonight that
the announcement made by M Berth
eliot Of the remonstrance he had offered
against the Egyptian campaign up the
Nile. in conversation with the Mar
quis of Dufferin, has been taken much
more seriously than they were prepared
for The outbreak Of approval from the
French press and people and the popu-
lar clamor for even more decisive meas
ures of protest seem to have alarmed
the government, and awakened an ap-
prehension that they are being precip-
itated into a position of hostility to
the plan Of Great Britain, backed by
the approval Of the dreibund which
might entail the graVest consequences.
The enthusiasm awakened In France,
| in fact, seems to enter more into the
apprehension of the French ministers
than the irritation abroad. AS a con-
sequence steps have been taken to dull
a little the seemingly sharp edge of the
communication made to the British am
bassador by M. Berthelot. The follow
ing explanation, with its distinct tone
of depreciation, is made semi-officially
tonight:
Yesterdays note was merely a short and
rapidly drafted summary Of the objections
which France found it necessary to formulate
in view Of the unexpected and sudden decision
Of Great Britain. France also intended une-
quivocally to intimate that she did not intend
TO ignore the matter. But this in nowise i'm
plies hostile attitude On the contrary, in
view Of the mutual friendly relations frank
and outspoken language will contribute to the
removal of Misunderstanding. The interview
between NJ. Berthelot and the Marquis Of
Dufferin was of the friendliest character. 1t
pointed out that is was incumbent upon the
guardians Of the Egyptian fund to ascertain
the necessity for an action entafling large out
lays, and that it preferable that the atti-
tude to be taken should be defined at the out
set, instead of being left in doubt.
The serious impression produced by
NJ. Berthelot's note continues this even
| ing, and it has been brought home to
| the government that the words of the
minister for foreign affairs were of un-
usual import. The note and the report
of the interview have brought forth
statement from official quarters which
explains that the words gravity Of
the consequences" were only intended
to apply to the use of the Egyptian re-
serve fund, and it is added, M. Berthe
! lot will make a statement to that eff
feet tomorrow. Should this be the case,
it would seem that the dreibund has
practically triumphed, and there will
be no serious opposition upon the part
Of France to the British advance up
the Nile. lie Jour, however, declares
that Russia and France are in 'com-
plete accord in regard to Egypt" This
may mean little or nothing, so far as
interfering with the plans of the Mar
quis of Salisbury is concerned.
Additional dispatches received here
from Cairo this evening show that the
greatest activity prevails among the
BritiSh-Egyptian military officials
there, and every step necessary to ar
rapge for the departure of the troops
from Wady Halfa on April l, as orig
mally plannedis being taken, and that
nobody there seems to doubt that the
plan of campaign will be carried out.