The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-03-18
FRANCE And ENGLAND.
British Expedition Up the Nile
May Cause Trouble.
TEE APPREHENSION IN FRANCE.

H. Berthelot, the French Foreign Minister,
Has Asked for Information from Great
Britains Ambassador-An Understand
ing Between France and Russia.
PARIS March 1s-The French govern
ment up TO this time has not defined its
position towards the British proposal to
dispatch an expedition up the Nile. There
is reason to believe that the proposal came
as surprise to the French government.
French statesmen had been entertaining
the hope that an opening Of negotiations
was near at hand looking to the evacua-
tion of Egypt by the British troops. Next
to the sovereignty of Germany over Alsace-
Lorraine probably the greatest source of
irritation known to French diplomacy is
the British occupation of Egypt The
present move on Great Britain's part is
doubly irritating, coming as II check to
hopes which French statesmen, had al
! lowed themselves to entertain.
The first intimation came yesterday of
the probable course which France will
take in view of the new condition in
Egypt. A sensation has been caused by
the announcement made by M. Berthelot,
minister of foreign affairs, in the cabinet
meeting that he had asked the British
ambassador, the Marquis of Dufferin, for
information regarding the proposed adj
vance of British Egyptian troops up the
Nile, and he pointed out to him the serious
consequences of such an advance This
warning note may be preliminary to
more decided steps.
The foreign minister's announcement
was eagerly taken up in the lobbies and in
the chamber of deputies, aud was the ex-
elusive topic of discussion. The prevailing
sentiment expressed was one of indigna-
ton at the course adopted by Great Brit
ain, and the general feeling is that France
must adopt decisive tone in dealing with
the matter.
A semi-offlcial statement was given out
last evening rejecting the opinion of the
government on the subject, although NJ.
Berthelot had decided to postpone making
the formal statement in the chamber of
deputies on the attitude of the govern
ment towards the proposed expedition.
'The proposed advance up the Nile "
says this inspired utterance, sis great
surprise to the government, and will serve
to embitter the anti-English feeling in
France at a time when better entente
was promised"
This is a reference to the London agree
ment of Jan. 10, bearing on the delimita-
ton of English and French possessions ON
the Mekong, with substantial advantage
to France, the appointment of commits
sioners for fixing the boundary between
the French and English possession of the
lower Niger, and the opening of negotia-
tions for fresh convention respecting
Tunis.
The governments semi official state
ment further announces that Great Brit
aims explanation, that tho, lance is nee
essary in the interest of Egypt, ''is viewed
with scepticism in France"
France is not deciding upon the course
she will pursue without full understands
ing with her Russian ally, and it is an
nounced that numerous kilograms have
passed between Paris and st. Petersburg
today on the subject. 1t is understood
here that Great Britain also sounded the
Russian government before announcing
the Egyptian program. But the action of
the czar yesterday in comforting upon the
Negus Menelek the military order of St
George is accepted as peremptory notice
that Russia has no sympathy with Great
Britain's plans for aiding and relieving
the Italians in Africa.
AS one of the guaranteeing powers tc
the Egyptian bondholders France has more
than the usual interest of the other pow.
ers in the disposal of Egyptian revenues
and she may refuse to consent to the Mile
campaign. The skepticisms semi officially
expressed by the French government as &c
the alleged necessity of the campaign in
the interest of Egypt indicates purpose
to try to restrain the disposal of Egyptian
revenues.
The apprehensions aroused in France by
British campaign up the Nile extend be
yond Egypt, beyond Dongola and Khar
toum and into Central Africa and tn,
source of the Nile, where French colonia
expansion has been as active, or more ac
tive than it has been in Tonking and VI
the Mekong. This French expansion
threatens to absorb the valley of the Mil
itself, and to push on to the borders of tn
: Italian possessions In Ethiopia, thus form
ing an obstruction between Britisl
Uganda and Egypt. Great Britain ha
viewed these encroachments with impa
tience, and French observers do not fail t.
note that even Liberal members of tn
British parliament express the belief tina
Lord Salisbury is looking to reoceupyini
the Soudan and opening a way to TIN
British possessions in South Africa.
France fears that the Egyptian advanc
to Dongola covers a British advance {,
Khartoum and to Uganda and an inter
ference with her prosperous colonial ex
pansion in Central Africa. The British
occupation of Egypt is sufficiently CALLING
in itself, but more so in its threats e
French plans in Africa beyond Egypt.