The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-10-25
Said the French Government Has Decided
to EVacuate Fashoda.
Meanwhile the British Admiralty
Issues Instructions to DOCK
Yards for Preparation of Tor
pedo Boat Destroyers for Imme-
date Commission and That
Work Be Hurried on Other
Warships.

LONDON, Oct. 24.-The Fashoda yell
dow book, issued by the French Gov
eminent, having left some slight mis-
givings in this country as to Lord Sails
bury's firmness in dealing with the
French ambassador, Baron de Courcel,
a speedy dissipation of these fears fol-
lowed the publication Of yesterdays
blue book 1t is specially welcomed by
the London papers, which this morning
express their satisfaction, notably, at
the view of the Egyptian Regent, which
is held to nullify entirely the French
idea that England lacks the approval
of the French Government.
The Paris correspondent of the Daily
Chronicle" claims to have authority to
say decision has already been taken
by the French Government to speed
lily evacuate Fashoda, and that NJ. del
Case, the French Foreign Minister,
will do his utmost to facilitate a pa
cific solution.
The British Government issued an
other blue book tonight, the most i'm
portant feature of which was a dis
patch, dated October 18th, from the
Marquis of Salisbury to the Embassa-
dor at Paris, Sir Edmund Monson, re-
porting the previous interview with
Baron de Courcel, in which the latter
wished to ascertain what solution of
the question was possible.
In this dispatch the Marquis of Sails
bury says: Il gently insisted that the
Nile Valley had belonged and still be-
longed to Egypt, and that whatever
diminution that title had suffered by
the Mahdi's conquest had been removed
by the victory at Omdurman."
The Marquis of Salisbury then point
ed out the helplessness of Major Mar
chand's position, which Baron de Cour-
Gel denied, and, finally, the British
Premier, in response to Baron de Cour-
cells suggestion, offered to supply Ma
Jor Marchand with food and ammuni-
tion 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 writing.
The Salisbury dispatch, in conclusion
said THE extreme Indebtedness of
Baron de Courcefs proposition made
1t impossible for me to express or form
an opinion relative to the territory
claimed by France in the Bahr-el-Gazal
region. Under the circumstances. the
discussion has been fruitful of misap-
prehension. informed him that it was
in no way my duty to discuss the
French claims now. but that in alb
staining therefrom, I must not be un-
derstood as in any degree admitting
their validity"
This was the last interview between
the ambassador and the Premier on
this subject. Baron de Courcel then
went to Paris, and 1t is thought that
the proposition which he brings to-
night embodies the points indicated in
this conversation.
The blue book also contains interest
ing letters from Mustapha, the Regent
OF Egypt. to General Kitchener and
Lord Cromer, the British diplomatic
agent, respectively. showing Egypt's at
titude. He wrote to General Kitche-
ner warmly thanking him for taking
possession Of Fashoda, and thereby re-
conquering for Egypt the provinces
which assure her existence, and from
which she only retired Professionally
The Regent, in writing to Lord Gro
mer, protested against ''the French vio-
lation of Egyptian territory" adding
that Egypt had never lost sight Of the
reoccupation of the provinces, of the
Soudan, which are the actual sources
of the vitality OF Egypt. and from
which she only withdrew owing to
force. He also said that the reconquest
of Khartoum would fail to have its
effect If the valley of the Nile was not
restored to Egypt.
Mustapha concluded with referring to
fhe Anglo French discussion on the
subject of Fashoda. urging Lord Gro