The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-25
Baron de COurce Says That is What
France Wants.
ENGLAND ISSUES A BLUE BOOK.
Salisbury Declines to Admit the Valid
ity of the French Claims-The
Regent OF Egypt Thanks
General Kitchener for
Taking Possession of
faShoda.

LONDON, Oct. 2L-The British Admit
rally issued a number Of significant Or
ders this morning. The dock yards at
Portsmouth Davenport and Chatham
have each received instructions to pre-
pare six thirty knot torpedo-boat de-
stroyers for commission in tweniy-four
hours. Overtime hours have begun on
the frstclass cruisers Europa and Andro-
media. so as to hurry them for sea SER
vice. Several gunboats in the different
dock.yards have been ordered to postpone
unnecessary reftting.
ANOTHER BLUE BOOK.
The British Government will issue an
other blue book tonight, the most I'M
portant feature Of which will be dis
patch OF October l2th from the Marquis
of Salisbury 10 the British ambassador
at Paris. Sir Edmond Monson. reporting
the previous interview with Baron De.
Courcel. I'm which the latter wished to
ascertain what solution OF the question
was possible In this dispatch the Mar
quis Of Salisbury says:
II generally insisted that the Nile
Valley had belonged and still belonged
to Egypt, and that whatever dimlnution
that title had suffered by the Mahdfs
conquest had been removed by the VIC
tory at Omdurman."
MARCHANDs POSITION.
The Marquis of Salisbury then pointed
out the helplessness Of Major Marchand'
position which Baron De courcel denied.
and finally the British Premier In re-
sponse TO Baron De Courcers suggestion.
offered TO supply Major Marchand with
food and ammunition in order that he
might be able 10 reach French territory.
Baron De Courcel then said France
wanted an outlet to the Nile, and the
Marquis of Salisbury requested that the
whole proposition be made In writing.
The Salisbury dispatch. in conclusion
said:
THEY ARE INDEFINITE.
"The extreme indefiniteness OF Baron
Dc courcels propositions made Il impos-
sible for me to express or to form an
opinion relative to the territory claimed
by France In the Bahr FL Ghazal reg on.
Under the circumstances the discussion
has been fruitful Of misapprehensson In
formed him that IL was IN no way my duty
TO discuss the French claims now, but
that In abstaining therefrom | must not
be understood as In any way or degree
admitting their validity"
letters from Mustapha, the Regent OF
Egypt. to General Kitchener and Lord
Cromer, the British diplomatic agent. re-
spectvely, showing Egypts attitude. He
wrote TO General Kitchener warmly
thanking him for taking possession ~
Fashoda and thereby reconquering for
Egypt the provinces which assure exist
ence and from which she only retired
provisionally.
THEIR VITALITY.
The Regent in writing 10 Lord Cromer,
protested against the French violation
OF Egyptian territory" adding that Egypt
had never lost sight OF the re-occupation
OF the provinces OF the Souian which are
the actual sources OF vitality OF Egypt
and from which she only withdrew owing
TO force lie also said that the recon-
quest Of Khartoum would fail 10 have its
effect If the valley OF the Nile was not re-
stored 10 Egypt.
Mustapha concluded by referring TO the
EnglshFrench discussion on the subject
Of Fashoda. urging Lord Cromer 10 use
his good Offices with the Marquis OF SAL
isbury. In "order that the incontestable
rights OF Egypt may be recognizel end
that all the provinces occupied up 10 the
rebellion Of Mohammed Ahmed be re-
stored to her"
FEARS pIsSIPATED
The Fashoda yellow Book issuel BY the
French having raised some slight misgiv-
ing as to Lord Sallsburys hrmness In
dealing with the Fren,h gfverninert,
through Baron De Courcel. a speedy dis
sipation Of these fears followed the pub
lication Of yesterdays Blue Book. IT is
especially welcomed by the London pa
pers which this morning eNoress their
notably AT the view OF the
Egyptian regent. when is held TO nullify
entirely tho French idea that, England
aoks the approval Of the EgyHian gov
srnment.
The Paris correspondent OF The Daily
Chronicle claims 70 have the authority
10 state that decision has been taken
BY the French government 20 speedily