The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-02
DEBATE ON THREGYPT|AN QUESTION
Communication With Great Britain Still
in Progress From the Seat
of Trouble in Matabeleland In
creases in Gravity.

les Will -hauaSuscuf. ne added that the
government was preparing reply 70
these requests.
Referring to the Egyptian question in
the senate. 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 sub
ject with the Great Britain and the nego-
tiations were still in progress on the part
of France. France, he added was firm
ly supported by Russia in this matter
and their accord had never been more
complete or cordial.
NJ. BardouX asked NJ. Bourgeois TO
explain the semi-offcial note issued on
March II and purporting to explain that
the proposed advance up the Nile was n
great surprise to the government and
would serve to embitter the anti-English
feeling in France at u time when a better
entente was promised, adding that Great
Britain's explanation that the advance
was not necessary in the interest of
Egypt, was viewed with skeptcism by
France.
Nj. BourgeOise said the note was semi
official and could not be discussed by the
senate.
Nj. BardOux complained that the ex-
plantations of NJ. Bourgeois in regard to
Egypt were inadequate and asked if the
government had any hope that Great
Britain would fulfill her promises.
To this question, Nj. Bourgeois finally
made statement in reply to a long at
tack upon the government policy made
by Senator BardouX, who contended that
Nj. Bourgeois had destroyed the splendid
position which France had gained abroad
during the tenure of office of the last
government.
NJ. Bourgeois, he contended. had
bungled in Egypt, Madagascar and
China and the senator pointed out par
ticularly 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 Britain, and also referred to the
fact that Sir Robert Hart, an English
man, was head of the customs service.
The statement of Nj. Bourgeois was
in the form of the following answers to
the several questions put to him by NJ
BardouX.
To the first question::
rs it true that Sir Robert has been
appointed postmaster general lin addi-
ton to his post of inspector general of
customs) by the Chinese governments"
NJ. Bourgeois said he had received no
official notice of such appointment. but
the senate might be assured that should
China decide to appoint in large
measure, foreigners as agents of the or
ganiZation of international adminstra-
ton, the French government would not
fail to obtain for the French citizens
fair share.
To the second question:
rs it true that the loan that China is
Just now contracting has been granted to
British firms?"
NJ Bourgeois answers:
1.-THE new Chinese loan was offered
without the guarantee to the Russian
government; it has no other security ex-
cept the balance of the customs revenue,
which is reserved as a guarantee for a
previous loan contracted by an English
company and also for the Russian
Chinese loan of last year.
THE French company, which have |
acted in concert with the Russian firms
in this matter, could not afford to grant !
to the Chinese government the condi- |
tons which it demanded and which |
were accepted by British and German
firms"
To the third questions:
rs it true that China has opened up
the 81 Kiang (WesO river to foreign |
navigation in spite of promises to the
contraryT
The premier answered:
mo promise was ever made by the |
Chinese government on the subject 1t |
is needless to say that should the river
be opened it would not be a privilege |
reserved to any one nation, but that |
French commerce, which is so import
ant to Canton, where Lyons buys her |
SILK, would also take advantage of it. |
At all events the French government |
has received assurances that the river
Will not be opened unless we obtain at |
the same time for French company
the concession of railroad into China"
70 the fourth question: |
IVY hat declarations has Mr.. Curzon,
British under secretary of state, made
ON the customs duties to be established
at Madagascar? What notifications
nave we made on the subject and what
answer nave we received!'
M. bourgeois answered.:
IL Is impossible to treat Off-hand such
an important question. When the bill
on the Madagascar tariff comes before
lne mousse every needed explanation will
ne gwen to the senate. We have noti-
possession of Madagascar. The great
majority of the powers have. acknowl-
edged our our, notification without com
ment; only two governments have
asked Tor further explanation and we
gre preparing answers conformable to
t the spirit of the bill now pending before
, Concerning Egypt, NJ. Bourgeois spoke
Inc senate knows by the declaration
niaue on March 10 by NJ. Berthelot, the
views EieWs of the French government on the
British proposition. You know, gentle
men, what has been the attitude of our
representative ON the Egyptian debt
commission. The Russian commission
mas fuily shared these views. Both have
maintained in full accord the incom-
petency of the commission in a question
GI, such exceptional and political import.
: Lnelr views not having been accepted
potn retired from the commission after
having made protest. l shall not speak
OF the legal action that has been brought
by several French bond holders against
the Egyptian government and the COM
mission; on the other hand the views of
me French government have been
brought to the knowledge of the British
government and negotiations are pro-
gressing. The senate will understand
mat 1t is not possible just now to give
more detailed explanations as to these
negotiations. | must confine myself to a
of the prudence and firmness