Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-25
LOOKS DARKER.
England and France Are Both
Rushing War Preparations.
England Orders Fleets Modified ard
All Naval Work Pushed.
France Concentrating Troops on Coast and
Making Ready Her Fleet.

London. Oct. 24-The British gov.
eminent issued another Blue Book. to-
night, the most important feature Of
which will be dispatch dated October
IL. from MARQUIS of Salisbury, to the
British ambassador at Paris, Sir Ed
mund Monson. reporting the previous
interview with Baron De Courcel, in
which the latter wished to ascertain
what solution of the question was pos
sible and in which the Marquis of SAL
isbury says:
Il generally insisted that the Nile
valley had belonged to and still belong
ed to Egypt and that whatever diminu-
ton that title had suffered by the
Mahdi's conquest had been removed by
the viceroy at Omdurman.''
The Marquis of Salisbury then point
ed out the helplessness Of Major Mar.
chand's position, which Baron De Cour-
eel denied. and finally the British pre-
mier. in response to Baron De Courceps
Marchand with food and ammunition
in order that he might be able to 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 writ
ing.
This was the last interview between
the ambassador and the premier on
this subject. Baron De Courcel then
went to Paris and it is thought that
the proposition which he brings, to-
night. embodies the points indicated IN
this controversy. The British govern
ment council has been fixed for, Thurs
day next.
The Salisbury dispatch in conclusion
said: THE extreme indefiniteness OF
Baron De CourcePs proposition made IL
impossible for me to express or form
an opinion relative to the territory
claimed by France in the Bhar-El-
Ghazal region. and under the circum-
stances the discussion has been fruitful
OF misrepresentation. I informed him
that 1t was in no way my duty to dis
cuss the French claims now but that in
abstaining therefrom, l must not be
understood as in any degree admitting
their validity s', 81
The Blue Book also contains interest,"
ing letters from Moustapha Fehey, the
regent of Egypt, to Gen. Kitchener ana
Lord Cromer. the British diplomatic
~oN--~' ANoHSSSANSiSy SAOWlIlS EkyDL
attitude. He wrote to Gen. Kitchener
warmly. thanking him for taking pos
session of Fashoda and thereby recon-
quering for Egypt the provinces which
assure her existence and from which
she only Professionally retired.
The regent in writing to Lord
Cromer protested against 1.-THE French
violation of Egyption territory" add
EeVyva IoI
reoccupation of the provinces of Sou
dan which are the actual sources Of
the vitality of Egypt and from which
sne only withdrew owing to force Ma
Jour- He also said the reconquest Of
khartoum would fail to have it's effect
II the valley of the Nile was restored
to Egypt.
Moutapha Fehey concluded with re-
ferring to Anglo-French discussion on
the subject of Fashoda, urging Lord
Cromer to use his good offices with
the Marquis of Salisbury 'in order
that the incontestible rights Of Egypt
may be recognized and that all the
provinces occupied up to the rebellion
OF Mohammed Ahmed be restored to
her,
me afternoon newspapers, today,
discuss the report of the French am
bassador, Baron De Courcel, on the
subject of the conversation he had
with the Marquis of Salisbury, regard
ing the proposed French outlet on the
Nile. as being the leading feature OF
the yellow Book on the Fashoda ques-
ton issued,y yesterday, by the French
government.
The conservative organs scout the