St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-03-22
As2ss SUCCESS WAS Ass
sVRRD,
RESERVE FUNDS or EGYPT,
FRANCE As.gseovns or
NOT
A HORNETS, NEST STIRRED UP,
wan Have u RWsy Tlme Ia the
sout2Na,

LONDON March H,-Franee, 1t Is
generally believed here, Ii burning her
fingers with the Egyptian question,
The French government, 1t Is asserted,
expected the cooperation of Germany,
but found she had been anticipated by
Great Britain, as the Marquis Of Sails
bury assured himself that he had the
support Of Emperor William In the
matter, and the latter Is said to have
informed the British premier that Great
Britain could rely upon the support Of
Germany and Austria II she aided
Italy. The Marquis Of Salisbury, 1t
appears, also consulted with the Congo
Free State authorities before announc-
ing the governments decision. France,
consequently. found herself confronted
with plan fully prearranged, and it
is stated she now shows disposition
to climb down from the attitude she
assumed when the government issued
Its note on Wednesday last, saying
that the proposed advance up the Nile
was great surprise to the govern
ment of France, and would serve to en-
bitter the anti-English feeling in that
country at a time when a better under
standing was promised, and adding that
Great Britain's explanation that the
advance is necessary in the interest of
Egypt, Is viewed with scepticism in
France. The wording of this note Is
now saddled on the premier, M. Bour-
geois, who, it is asserted, issued it with
out consulting the rest Of the ministry.
FRENCH VIEW FUTILE.
The opposition in France to the use
or the Egypt reserve fund to defray ex-
penses of the expedition to Dongola
does not avail, for, as Mr.. Curzon ex-
planned in the house Of commons yes
terday, there are two funds controlled
by the Egyptian debt commission. One
or these, the larger fund, Is derived
from a conversion of the Egyptian
debt, and 1t requires the unanimous
consent of the powers to authorize the
expenditure of the whole or any part
Of it. But the second and smaller re-
serve fund, amounting to about $12-
100000, can be used with the consent
OF a majority of the commission, and
Great Britain has majority Of the
commission on her side, even If France
and Russia refuse their consent, for
the approval Of Germany, Austria and
Italy to the use Of the reserve fund has
already been obtained.
In spite of the bold front put upon
matters here, there is no denying that
there Is IL leelluS III NJIGdC Britain LlaG
the Nile expedition is likely to turn out
something in the nature Of disturbing
a hornets nest, and the support of
Italy in case matters assume serious
aspect is problematical. A Russian
traveller, who is thoroughly familiar
with the situation, estimates that the
forces at the disposal Of the Mahdi
number about 100000 men, Of whom
10000 are Baggars, trained and dis
ciplined. The Mahdi is believed to have
100000 rifles, but it is said they are, as
a rule, Of an obsolete character and
that only 10000 Remingtons, which form
part Of his store of arms, are service
able. So far as artillery is concerned,
it is not believed that he has more than
the guns captured upon the occasion of
the defeat Of Hicks Pasha'; but 1t is
estimated that, like King Menelik, Of
Abyssinia, the Mahdi has been secret
ly purchasing arms and ammunition
for some time past, and it will be found
that his troops are quite as we'll armed
as those Of the Negus.
NOT A PICNIC.
In such case the capture
of the Soudan will not be ac-
complished without the expenditure
Of much blood and treasure, and
the end will not be attained without
drawing largely upon the British troops
now in England. In fact, the more the
matter is considered the more serious