New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-25
FRENCH POLICY STATED.
TO PRESERVE WHAT THEY HAVE AND
MAINTAIN THE OPEN DOOR.

Paris, Nov Pain the Chamber OF Deputies
to-day. during the discussion Of the Foreign Es-
timates, Count Montalgu. Conservative asked
fer explanations as to the incident OF a British
cruiser stopping and boarding French steamer.
the Cordoba, in Delagoa Bay. NJ. Delcasse, the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs. replied that 1t was
not isolated case. Belgerents during war.
he explained. had the right TO ascertain the
nationality Of any vessel, and. he added, II the
British cruisers only did this they had acted
within their rights.
Turning to the situation in China and the re-
cent incidents in Kwang- CHAIRMAN Province
the Minister reviewed the concessions obtained
by other nations. and said Frances share had
been inferior to Great Britain's. adding:
We took what we think is the most convenient
spot But we must husband our resources, lor
efforts in our vital interests may render IL
necessary. Our immense empire and frontier IN
China ought to keep us from impatient enter
prise which might cost us dearly. The partition
of China is not imminent. Russia has reacaec
Pe-Chi-II because she has not met with great
resistance Our zone Of influence lies beyond
Tonkin. The point in dispute is in a poor prov
ince, but what is important to us is that China
has undertaken not TO yield the neighDorlhs
provinces to the influence Of any one Power
The statement was greeted with cheers.
I'VE must seek to maintain the open door,"
said the Minister.
Referring to the Transvaal the 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 pro-
tccol.
Touching upon the lingering newspaper strict
ures as to tGe Fashoda settlement. the Minister
remarked:
Some papers make II a business OF dwelling
NJ humiliation. The government LOOK
q decision which it quite justified in doing.
and subsequent treaty gave France vast terri
rory and consolidated our African empire Inc
governments adversares wish France TO be
powerful i'm Europe and insist that she ought
10 intervene everywhere. They unceaslngly oe-
mand territorial aggrandizenent. as II we ala
not have already an immense colonial empire 10
develop We shall consult the countrys inter
ests and not seek doubtful popularity. Wnen
the government considers where our vital inter-
ests lie and the fact that the population or
France increases but little. II comes 10 the CON
cusfon that it ought rather to devote It's eHorts
to maintain what is acquired than 10 sees
aggrandizement
Loud cheers followed this statement OF policy.
Abiding TO the commercial agreement with
the United States NJ. Delcasse said:
We have concluded with the United States
n commercial agreement and when the matter
is discussed we shall have little difhculty IN
showing that we have scrupulously sateguardeu
the interests Of our agriculture The agree
ment will give n fresh impetus 10 the commerce
OF the two people, who are united by history
and similarity Of political institutions. ana can
never cease to be so, save by misunderstand-
ing of their evident interests 1t Is by endeavor-
ing TO smoothe difficulties by conciliating IN
terests and by suppressing so far as possiDle
the sources Of conflict that we have obtained
the friendship OF some and certainly the esteem
Of all
I am aware that some journals urge an op-
posite policy the policy Of shaking the fist at
all the world a policy which implies stupefying
ignorance or the shameless exploitation or the
noblest sentiments. (Cheers) VINO does not see
what risks 10 dignity and safety our country
would run by such an attitude? But you VIII
never tolerate such policy Bluster does not
mean strength. (Cheers)
The speaker then denounced those unscrupu-
lous politicians who exploit the noble sentiments
Of the country in order to excite public opinion
against the government" He recalled the fact
that Germany on the morrow 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 ALL
ance which guarantees peace at present. admits
OF far-reachng projects in the future and ought
to encourage us TO persevere IN the e&lstihs iihe
OF policy.
The Chamber then adjourned until Monday.
The general opinion in the lobhies was that
the speech Of NJ. Delcasse would produce an
excellent impression at home and abroad. The
entire Chamber except the Nationalists and
antI-semites applauded. The Foreign Minister
was very careful TO avoid saying anything CAL
ou;ated to wound the susceptibilities of any
country. An explanation OF his allusion TO the
dual alliance is found in his recent conferences
with the Russian Foreign Minister, Count Mu-
ravieff, in Paris and ST. Petersburg