Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-25
FRENCH THROW OUT A HINT
Minister Deoasse Declares Francc.9ussian
Alliance is Drawing Closer.
ADMITS OF FAR-RtAcHlNG PROJECTS
Dual Compnct VIII Maintain Open
Door In China, oppose the Drei-
bund and Garry out Exist
ing Line of Policy,

PARIS, Nov. 24.-1n the Chamber OF Dep
uties today, during the discussion OF the
estimates, Count Montague Conservative
asked for explanation as to the incident OF
Britieh cruiser stopping and boarding a
French steamship, the Cordoba, in Delagoa
bay. NJ. Delcasse, minister OF foreign
affairs replied that 1t was not an isolated
case. Belligerents during a war, he eX-
planned, had the right to ascertain the ma
tionalty OF any vessel and, he added, II the
British cruieers only did this they had acted
within their rights.
Turning to the situation in China and the
recent events in Kwang Chau Wan province
tho minister reviewed the concessions OBJ
tanned by other nations and said Frances
share had been inferior to Great Britains.
He said: I'VE took what we thought to
be the most convenient spot, but we must
husband our resources, for efforts in vital in
terest may render it necessary. Our immense
empire and frontier in China ought to keep
us from impatient enterprises which might
cost us dearly. The partition of China is
not imminent Russia has reached Pe-Chi-
Lii because she has not met with great re-
sistance.- Our zone of influence lies beyond
Tonquin. The point in dispute is in poor
province but what is important to us is that
boring PROVINCES to the influences of any
power. tCheers.) We must Geek to main
tain the open door,
Referring to the Transvaal the foreign
minister said he favored mediation and
arbitration, but did not deem it opportune
to take the Initiative, as the powers had not
yet signed The Hague protocol 49,.
Frnnco-Russinn Alliance.
10 nlfar
lous politicians who exploit the noble senti-
ments of the country in order to excite pub
lie opinion against the government. He
recalled the fact that Germany on the NOR
row of her victories was obliged to seek
an alliance, and said:
The Franco Russian alliance, opposed to
the Dreibund has been drawn closer, and
this alliance, which guarantees peace at
present, admits of reaching projects in
the future and ought to encourage us to
persevere in the existing line of policy"
Alluding to the commercial agreement with
the United States, NJ Delcasse said
I'VE have concluded with the United
States commercial agreement, and when
the matter is discussed we will have little
difficulty in showing that we have scrupu-
lously safeguarded the interests of our agri-
culture. This agreement will give a fresh
impetus to the commerce of the two pco-
pies, who are united by history and similar
ity of political institutions and can never
cease to be so, save by misunderstanding
Of their evident interests."'G
''It is by endeavoring to smooth diff
culties by conciliating interests and by sup
pressing, as far as possible, the sources
of conflict that we have obtained the friend
ship of some and certainly the esteem of
all. II
II am aware that some journals urge an
opposite policy, the policy of shaking the
fist at all the world, a policy which i'm
plies stupefying ignorance or the shame
lees exploitation Of, the noblest sentiments
ICheers) Who does not see what risks to
dignity and safety our country would run
by such an attitude? But you will never
tolerate such policy. Bluster does not
mean strength" (Cheers.)
The general opinion in the lobbes wns
that the speech of NJ. Decasse would pro-
duce an excellent impression at home and
abroad The chamber, except the national
lists and anti-semtes applauded. The fer
eign minister was careful to avoid speech
calculated to wound the feeling Of any coun-
try. An explanation of his allusion to the
dual alliance is found in his recent con-
ference with the Russian foreign minister |
Count Muraveff, in Paris and St. Peters |
burg.