The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-25
Another Blue Book Issued by the
British Ministry, Giving saIisbury's
Last Dispatch to MonsOn.
PROTEST FROM EGYPT'S REGENT
ACTION OF MAJOR MARCHAND CON-
DEMNED BY MUsTAPHA.
No LulI i'm War Preparations by Ell
French Naval Authorities.

LONDON, Oct 24-The French ambas-
sador to Great Britain. Baron De Courcel,
arrived here from Paris tonight, and there
is good authority for the statement that he
is the bearer of proposition to the Marquis
of Salisbury which may satisfy both gov
ernments and avert war over the Fashoda
dispute.
Salsbury's Cabinet will meet on Thursday.
The British government issued another blue
book tonight on the Fashoda. question. the
most important feature of which is a dis
patch, dated Oct. II. from the Marquis of
Salisbury to the British ambassador at
Paris, Sir Edmond Monson reporting 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 Salisbury said:
81 generally insisted that the Nile valley
had belonged, and still belonged, 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 pointed
out the hopeIessness of Major Marchand's S
position, which Baron De Courcel denied,
and finally the British premier. in response
to Baron De Courcels suggestion, offered
to supply Major Marchand with food and
ammunition in order that he might be able
to reach French territory. Baron De Cour-
eel then said France wanted an outlet to
the Nile, and the Marquis of Salisbury re-
quested that the whole proposition be made
in writing;
The Salisbury dispatch In conclusion said:
''The extreme indefniteness of Baron De
Courcers proposition made it impossible for
to the territory claimed by France in the
Bahr-el-Ghazal region. Under the circum-
stances the discussion has been fruitful of
misapprehension. I informed him that it
was in no way my duty to discuss the
French claims now, but that in abstaining
therefrom l must not be understood as in
any degree admitting their validity"
The blue book also contains interesting
letters from Mustapha the Regent of Egypt,
to General Kitchener and Lord Cromer. the
British diplomatic agent, respectively,
showing Egypt's attitude. He wrote to Gen.
Kitchener warmly thanking him for taking
possession of Fashoda and thereby recon-
quering for Egypt the provinces which as
sure her existence and from which she only
retired Professionally. The Regent in writing
to Lord Cromer, protested against 1.-The
French violation of Egyptian territory
adding that Egypt has never lost sight of
the reoccupation of the provinces of the
Sudan, which are the actual sources of the
vitality of Egypt and from which she only
withdrew owing to force. He also said that
the reconuuest of xhartum would fail to
Rave it's effect if the valley of the Nile was
not restored to Egypt Mustapha con-
cluded by referring to the Anglo-French
discussion on the subject of Fashoda, urg-
ing 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 uD to the rebellion of Mohamed
Ahmed be restored to her.
The Admiralty issued number of signif-
icant orders this morning The dock yards
at Portsmouth, Devonport and Chatham
have each received instructions to prepare
six thirty-knot torpedo boat destroyers for
commissioning. so that they will be able
to put to sea in twenty-four hours. Over
time work has begun on the frst-class
cruisers Europa and Andromeda, so as to
hurry them for sea service. Several gum
boats in the different dock yards have been
ordered TO postpone unnecessary refitting
There is no foundation, however, for tho
report that the Admiralty has ordered the
Cunard and White Star lines to have their
subsidized vessels in readiness to be handed
over 10 the Admiralty officials.
In spite of the news of warlike mobiliza-
tions, with decline in rentes and consols.
there is distinctly better feeling in diplo-
matte circles tonight and a growing belief
that the Fashoda dispute will be arranged.
The drop in the price of consos was largely
due TO important Withdrawals of gold by
Scotch and Irish banks, which, however. is
usual at this time of the year.