The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-01
Toward European Neigh
bOrS Now Outlined.
Premier Bourgeois Said Gov
ernment Had Not Receded.
Russia In Full Accord With France
on Egyptian Question.

rARIs, April LIN the senate yesterday
M. Bourgeois announced that two powers
had asked for further Information re.
garding the car ceiling Of the treaties with
Madagascar. He added that the govern
mentwas preparing reply to those re-
quests.
NJ. Bardoux asked NJ. Bourgeois to ex'
plain the semi-oillcial note issued on
March II and purporting to explain that
the proposed advance up the Nile was q
great surprise TO the government and
would serve to embitter the anti-English
feeling in France at time when better
entente was promised, adding that Great
Britain's explanation that the advance
was necessary In the interest OF Egypt was
viewed with skepticism in France.
M. Bardoux complained that the ex.
plantations OF III. Bourgeois In regard to
Egypt had been inadequate, and asked II
the government had any hope that Great
Britain would fulfill her promises.
NJ. Bourgeois replied that the French
government had in no way receded from
the attitude which France had taken up
toward Egypt.
NJ. Bourgeois finally made statement
I'm reply to long attack upon the govern
ment 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 particularly that the
opening OF the West river to European
trade had destroyed the advantage of the
French railways from Langson to the
frontier; that the Chinese loan had been
obtained by Great Britain, and also re-
ferred to the fact that Sir Robert Hart, an
Englishman, was head Of the Chinese
customs service.
Bourgeois Explanation.
The statement of NJ Bourgeois was In
the form of the following answers TO the
several questions put To him by III. Bar
doux.
To the first question: "Is IL true that
Sir Robert Hart has been appointed post
master general Tin addition TO his post of
inspector general of customs) by the
Chinese governmentp" the premier an
swered that he had received no official
notification OF such appointment, but that
the senate might be assured that should
China decide To appoint in larger meas
tion of internal ad ministration, the
French government would not fab to OBJ
tain for the French citizens fair. share.
TO the second question:: us it true that
the loan that China is just now contract
ing has been granted TO British flrms?"
M Bourgeois answered.: The new Chi
nese loan was offered without the guarantee
of the Russian government; it has no
other security except the balance OF the
customs revenue, which Is reserved as IA
guarantee for previous loan contracted
by an English company, and also for the
Russian Chinese loan Of last year. The
French company which have acted as In
concert with the Russian firms in this
matter could not afford TO grant To the
Chinese government the conditions which
IL demanded and which were accepted by
British and German firms"
To the third question: rs it true that
China has opened the Si-Kiang (West)
river To foreign navigation, In spite of
promises to the contraryY the premier
answered: "No promise was ever made
by the Chinese government on the sub
ject. 1t is needless TO say, that should the
river bc opened, 10 would not be a privi-
lege reserved TO any one nation, but that
French commerce, which is so important
Mt Canton, whore Lyons buys her silk,
should also take advantage of 1t. In all
events, the French government has re-
ceived assurances that tho river Will not
be opened unless we obtain at the same
time for French company the conces-
sions of u railroadin TO China"
To the fourth question:: What declara.
tions has Mr.. Curzon, British under-secre-
tary OF state, made on the customs duties
TO be established at Madagascar? What
notifications have we made on the subject
and what answers have we roceiveds" NJ.
Bourgeois answered: ut is impossible
TO treat off-hand such an important ques.
ton. When the bill on the Madagascar
tariff comes before the house every needed
explanation will be given. We have noti-
fed the powers that we have taken pos
session OF Madagascar. The great ma
jority of the powers have acknowledged
accordingly our notification without COM
ment. Only two governments have asked
for further particulars, and we are pre-
pairing answers conformaby TO the spirit
of the bill now pending before the house"
The Egyptian Phase.
Concerning Egypt, NJ. Bourgeois spoke
as follows: "rhe senate knows by the
declaration made on March 10 by NJ.
Berthelot the views Of the French gov
ernment on the British proposition. You
know, gentlemen, what has been tho atti-
tude of our representative on tho Egyptian
debt commission. The Russian commits
sioner has fully shared those views Both
have maintained. In full accord, the COM
petence Of tho commission in a question
of such exceptional aud political import.
Their views not having been accepted,
both retired from the commission after
having made protest.
"I shall not speak Of the legal action
that has been brought by several French
bondholders against the Egyptian govern
ment and the commission; on the other
hand, the views of the French govern
ment have been brought TO the knowledge
of the British government, and negotia-
tions are progressing. The senate will
understand that 10 is not possible just now
90 give more detailed explanations as to
these negotiations. must confine myself
to statement of the prudence and firm
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