Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-30
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 80, 1899.
AyFNGING FASHODA

~
The Serious complications prophets
have found new inspiration for pro-
phesylng a probable piling on of trouble
for Great Britain in her present time Of
distress. when France ceded Newfound-
land TO the British she declined to recog
nlze the right Of the British TO monopo-
lie the fisheries there, and. finally. a
treaty was entered into securing TO
Frcnchmen the privilege Of catching and
drying fish without Interference" Along
q great reach Of coast. This reach be-
gins half way up the east shore of the
island at Cape 81. John, stretches north
ward to the Strait of Belle Isle. continues
around the whole northern benipsula, and
extends down the entire length OF
the west shore 10 cape Ray.
Ever since the treaty was concluded
there has been friction between the ma
tlve-born and the French fishermen. and
both parties TO the agreement have been
compelled during the fishing season 10
patrol closely the coast 10 prevent overt
acts. Under the treaty France claims
that nothing shall be permitted that gan
be construed" into an interference"
with French fishing privileges. and that
native competition with the foreign fish
crmen can be so construed. That claim.
81 would appear. Great Britain virtually
comedies. for It is not an unusual occur
renee for the French commander on
patrol duty TO complain to the British
commander of the interference" of the
Observation-Disclosures traps and nets with the
French fishing interest, and for the
latter nasal official to eject British sub
iects from the waters of British territory.
This concession has however proved eX-
ceedingly unpopular with the native
fishermen. In fact. 1T has, at times
caused expressions of decided dissatisfac-
ton towards the home government. and
peace all around has only been kept by
temporary agreements. The last of these
agreements will expire tomorrow, and
a. Is predicted that France will take adj
vantage of the British difficulties in South
Africa TO press the matter TO an acute
stage, force permanent concessions from
Great Britain that would ALLEVIATE large
aritsh Colonial element and thus avenge
the Fashoda humiliation.
No doubt France is burning to "even
up" on Fashoda The farther she gets
away from that incident the sorer she
secms 20 become over IT. And We can
well imagine that the sting OF the affair
IS I'm no wise lessencd by he regret
now freely expressed that she did
not see a few months ahead ana play
for more time in keeping the issue open.
Moreover. at a superficial glance it would
look as If the expiration OF the New
foundland modus vlyendi at this par
ticular juncture ought to afford a golden
opportunity for squeezing Great Britain.
But all the same. we do not anticipate
that France will put the screws down
with such pressure as TO bring about "se-
rlous complications" Great Britain
has a guarantee against such a proceed
ing that the prophets of evil seem TO
have lost sight Of That guarantee is the
Paris Exposition. 1t has been the habit,
the world over. to sheer al the British
as "a nation Of shop-keepers," and at
tribute British policy largely TO the
sshop-keeping influence" and the love
OF British tradesmen for the almighty
dollar" This. notwithstanding that class
has been as self-sacrifcing as any
other when patriotism and the countrys
honor demanded Paris is France, and
the "shop-keeping" influence is regnant
in Paris to-day. The Paris tradesmen see
millions I'm the exposition much Of which
they expect TO draw from British pockets.
Grave trouble between France and
Great Britain would no, only disappoint
that expectation. but put a general
damper upon the coming enterprise. II is
possible, even probable, that The
French Government will avail nscf OF
the Newfoundland affair 20 throw sop
TO the Chauynists and the Fashoda re-
venge seekers. but It win be pretty
sarefmi not to force the matter far
enough 20 jcopafdize the success OF
he exposition. and antagonize the "shop-
keeping" element which IS at once tho
iafcgusfd. ar present. OF peace Tor
france. both Internal and external
Buster as some OF the British-hating
journals Of Paris may. there IS little
'eason 10 apprehend that France will |
seriously consider making a direct grave |
ssue with Great Britain until the ex-
petition shan have olosed Then che