The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-03-26
FRANCE TAKING STEPS TO DULL
BERTHELOT'S SHARP COM
MUNICATION.
70 CHANGE THE MP OF AFRICA
England's Egyptian Move is Thought to
Be the First Step in That Direction.
The Encouragement of the
Dreibund.

ment gives evidence that the announce
ment made by Nj. Berthelot yesterday of
the remonstrance he had offered against
the Egyptian campaign up the Nile in a
conversation with the Marquis of Duffer-
in has been taken much more seriously
than they were prepared for.
The clamor for more decisive moves
seems to have alarmed the government
and awakened apprehension that they are
being precipitated into a position of hos
tility to the plan of Great Britain, backed
might entail the gravest consequences
The enthusiasm awakened i'll France, in
fact, seems to enter more into the appre
tensions of the French ministers than the
irritation abroad. As consequence
steps have been taken to dull little the
seemingly sharp communication made to
the British ambassador by NJ. Berthelot
The following explanation, with its dis
tinct tone of appreciation, is made, semi
officially, tonight:
Yesterdays note was merely a short
and rapidly drafted summary of the OBJ
jects which France found it necessary to
formulate in view of the sudden and I'M
expected decision of Great Britain.
France also intended unequivocally to
intimate that she did not intend to ig.
more the matter. But this in no wise i'm
plies hostile attitude. On the contrary
they think that in view of mutual friend
ly relations, frank and outspoken Ian
guage will contribute to the removal Of
Misunderstanding.
THE interview between NJ Berthelot
and the Marquis of Dufferin was of the
friendliest character. 1t was pointed out
that it was incumbent upon the guardians
of the Egyptian fund to ascertain the ne
cessity for an action entailing large out
lays, and that it was preferable that the
attitude to be taken should be defined at
the outset instead of being left in doubt"
FRANCE AND THE DREIBUND.
Paris, March 1S.-The government and
people of France are beginning to realize
that the recent conferences at Berlin be-
tween the Austrian minister for foreign
affairs, Count Goluchowski; the Italian
ambassador at Berlin, Count LAMA Di
Busca, and the German imperial chan
cellOr, Prince HOhenlohe, under the aus
pieces of Emperor William of Germany,
and with Great Britain party to the
understanding arrived at, had more sig
nihcance than was generally admitted by
the press or public at the time. The re-
arrangement of the dreibund with Great
partner in the arrangement was evident
ly only the first step in the direction of
attempting to make alterations in the
map of Africa with the consent or sup
port of the dreibund, this being looked
upon as being the plan agreed upon with
Great Britain for the latter's support of
Italy and incidentally of the dreibund.
But behind the scenery so carefully ar
ranged at Berlin there is, it is believed
here. great deal going on in regard to
which explanations must be promptly fur
nished by Great Britain or serious
trouble may follow. In fact. if the Tou-
lon correspondent of the Figaro this
is to be believed, matters have
already reached such dangerous stage
that orders are expected there at any
moment for the French levant squadron
to proceed to Egyptian waters.
The newspapers here, generally speak
ing, approve of the attitude of Nj. Ber-
thelot, the minister for foreign affairs,
in personally communicating to the Brit
ish ambassador, the Marquis of Dufferin,
as announced at the cabinet council yes
terday, the dangers which might arise
from the advance of British Egyptian
troops up the Nile.
The newspapers this morning advise
NJ. Berthelot to persist in the stand he
has taken, even if he did not follow the
precedent in transmitting his objections
through the French embassy in London.
The Figaro says Great Britain's atti-
tude is an outrage on Europe and is vir-
tually breach of faith.
A dispatch from Massowah this morn
ing says that General Baldsara. the
Italian commander-in-chief. has ordered
all non-combatants to leave Cassalla by
the next caravan, as the Italian military
commander there has expressed the opin-
ion that their withdrawal will enable
the garrison to hold out until the Alba
river rises in June.
Special Cairo dispatches today say that
serious disturbances are taking place
laily at Beyrouth.
1t is added that 1900 armed Chris
tians have paraded the streets warning
-he Moslems to be ready to protect them
selves against aggression.
The serious impression created by NJ.
Berthelots note on the SOudan situation
continues this afternoon and it has been
brought home to the government that
he words of the minister for foreign af- |
airs were of unusual Importance. The |
lote and the report of this interview fur |
lished to the cabinet council yesterday |
md afterwards widely published by the |
'ress, have brought forth statement |
oday from official quarters which ex-
'lalns tnat the words gravity of the |
were only intended to ap-
'ly to the use of the Egyptian reserve
und and it is added that Berthelot will |
make a statement to that effect tomor
ow. Should this be the case it would |
eem that the dreibund has practically |
riumphed and there will be no serious
pposition upon the part of France to the
British advance up the Nile.
lie Jour declares, however, that Rus
ia and France are in complete accord
n regard to Egypt"
But this means little or nothing so far
S interfering with the plans of the Mar
uls of Salisbury are concerned.
Additional dispatches received here
20 ir1 oh 4laA IL. L