The herald., 1898-10-25
Associated Press Special Wire.

LONDON, Oct. 24.-The British govern
ment issued .other blue book tonight, the
most important feature o. which is dis
patch, dated October II, from the Marqui OF
Salisbury to the ambassador at Paris Sir
Edmund Monson, reporting the previous in
terview with Baron de Courcel, in which the
latter wished to ascertain what solution OF
the question was possible.
In this dispatch the Marquis of Salisbury
says:
81 gently insisted that the Nile valley had
belonged, and still belonged, to Egypt, and
that whatever dimunition that title had suf-
fered by the mahdi's conquest had been re-
moved by the victory at Omdurman."
The Marquis of Salisbury then pointed out
the helplessness of Major Marchand's posi-
ton, which Baron de Courcel denied, and
finally the British premier, in reply to Baron
de Courceps suggestion, offering to supply
Major 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 PROPOSE
ton be made in writing.
This was the last interview between the
ambassador and the premier on this subject.
Baron de Oourcel then went to Paris, and it
is thought that the proposition which he
brings tonight embodies the points indicated
in this conversation.
The Salisbury dispatch, in conclusion,
said:
"The extreme indeiniteness of Baron de
Courcels proposition made it impossible for
me to express or form an opinion relative to
the territory claimed by France in the
Behr-el-Ghar. region. Under the circum-
stances the discussion has been fruitful OF
misapprehens1,n. informed him that it
was in no way my duty to discuss the
French claims now, but that in abstainine
therefrom I must not be understood as in
any degree admitting their validity"
| The blue book also contains interesting
letters from Mustapha, the regiment Of
Egypt, to General Kitchener and Lord
Cromer, the British diplomatic agent, re-
spectively, showing Egypt's attitude. He
wrote to General Kitchener, warmly thank
ing him for taking possession of Fashoda
and thereby -,conquering for Egypt the
provinces which assure her existence, and
| from which she only retired Professionally.
The regent, in writing to Lord Cromer,
protested against "the French violation OF
Egyptian territory" adding that Egypt has
never lost sight of the reoccupaton of the
provinces of the Soudan, which are the
actual sources of the validity of Egypt, and
from which she only withdrew owing to
force. He also said that the reconquest o.
Khartoum would fail to have its effect il thu
valley of the Nile was not restored to Egypt
Mustapha concluded by referring to the
Anglo-French discussion on the subject O
Fashoda. urging Lord romer to use his goot
offices with the Marquis of Salisbury iii
order that the incontestible rights of Egyp
may be recognized and that all the province.
occupied up to the rebellion of Mohammec
Ahmed be restored to her."
| SAL1SBURY'S FIRMNESS
The Fashoda yellow book issued by the
French government, having left some sllght
misgivings in this country as to Lord Sails
bury's firmness in dealing with the French
ambadassor, Baron de Courcel, a speedy
dissipation of these fears followed the pub
lication Of yesterdays blue book. 1t is spe
cially welcomed by the London papers
which this morning express their satisfac
ton, notably at the view of the Egyptian
regent, which is held to nullify entirely the
French idea that England lacks the approva
of the Egyptian government.
\ FRANCE WILL RETIRE
\ The Paris correspondent of the
\ Daily Chronicle claims to have author 4
\ ity to say decision has already been
\ taken by the French government
\ speedily to evacuate Fashoda and that 4
\ NJ. del Casse, the French foreign min
\ lister, will do his utmost to facilitate
\ pacific solution. 4
The British cabinet council has been fixet
for Thursday next.
The British Fleets
VICTORIA, B. c., Oct. 24The prepare
tions at Esquimalt, the naval depot of tn
Northern Pacific squadron, continue una
bated. An air of activity pervades all de
partments. The Amphion, which it was un
derstood would not go into dry dock unit
after another steamer already booked hat
been dealt with, received instructions toda.
from the admiral of the fleet to commenc
the necessary work Immediately, and she en-
tered the dry dock. The officers do not den,
that the preparations now going on are du
to the strained relations of France and Eng
land
Ordered to Halifax
| HALIFAX, Oct. 24.-The commanders O
all warships of the British North American
squadron have received orders to mobiliz
at Halifax.
Admiralty Orders
LONDON, Oct. 24.--The British Admir-
atty issued a number of significant order
this morning. The dock yards at Ports
mouth, Devonport and Chatham have eacl
received instructions to prepare six thirty
knot torpedo boat destroyers for commits
sioning SO that they will be able to put t.
sea in twenty-four hours Overtime hour
have begun on the first class cruisers Europe
and Andromeda SO as to hurry them fol
ses service. Several gunboats in different