The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-05
1t Gives the Republic Final Suprem
acy in the Lake Tchad
Region of Africa.
FRENCH OFFICIALS IN DOUBT
HOPE THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S In
PEKING ARE STILL ALIVE,
But Will Not he Convinced Until NJ
Fichon Reports - The shah
Trying an Automobile.

lCOpyriSnt, 1SN, Dy tne ASSOcldteo freSS.J
PARIS, Aug. 4.-The events of the past
week touched almost every note in the
gamut of human passions. Parisians ex-
perienced sorrow genuine and sincere at
the assassination of Italys King, joy over
the victory in Africa which removed Ra-
bah, the most stubborn enemy of France in
that country, and indignation and chagrin
that the sovereign of another country
should have had his life jeopardized by one
of their countrymen while he was a guest
of the nation. So quickly did these acts
follow one another that the dawning of
hope for the safety of the ministers at
Peking as revealed by recent dispatches
was almost lost sight of, and even the
more circumstantial evidence adduced early
in the week that the general massacre re-
ported was not an actuality received only
slight credence. A sinister warning found
a place in the press counseling the govern
ment not to trust the subtle emanations
from Chinese officials who asserted the
safety of the foreigners and urging an ad-
vance of the allies towards the capital.
Hope but not conviction that the ministers
are alive is the present condition of the
public mind, and as the advance against
Peking has now begun another period OF
anxiety is the result. So skeptical is
French officialdom regarding the Chinese
assurances that nothing short of the actual
production of NJ. Pichon, the French min
lister to China, whose name has not been
mentioned or referred to in any of the dis
patches -of the ministers or attaches of
other powers, will satisfy France, ana the
period of waiting for the next ten days
will be an anxious one.
XXX
The general mass of Italian citizens
would have been moved to sentiments of
affection had they been able to witness the
depth of the true grief which was exhibited
in this city when the news of the assassina-
ton of King Humbert was made public.
When the first report of the crime was
confirmed in every gathering place could
be heard expressions of sympathy and in
dignation which would have done more to
bring about a friendly feeling between the
two countries than would years of di-
plomacy. Humbert's stanch advocacy of
the tripartite agreement estranged France
at that time, especially under the Crispi
regime when there was almost bitterness.
Since then King Humbert's manly qualities
and lovable disposition have brought him
closer to the hearts of the French people
until he was recognized in recent years as
one of Frances friends. So much SO was
this the case that the news of his death
brought forth queries as to a possible rup-
ture of the good relations between the two
countries by the accession of the new King.
Count Tornielli, the Italian ambassador
here, does not share in this feeling Of in
security, saying:
1.-THE relations of France and Italy have
not ceased to be excellent and they will
continue so. The new King has not the
sentiments which some journals attribute
to him. He has great esteem for the grand
sister Latin nation"
The Shah of Persia would have been
the recipient of a most extravagant series
of fetes had not the death of King Hum
bert placed official France in mourning.
Breakfasts, dinners, receptions and spe-
cial performances at the opera and theaters
had been arranged for his benefit, filing
the hours days and nights Of his stay. All
these have been abandoned, but the Shah
has found an amusement which deeply in
terests him. The court of the palace is
sufficiently large to permit of the opera
ton Of an automobile. and one of these
vehicles has become his toy. He has in
vestigated every part of the machine and
has had an agent to instruct him in the
method of steering. The Shah has also
investigated the telephone and has finally
become the victim of the cinematograph.
devoting nearly all of one morning to a
series of photographs. He is a man of
most amiable disposition and easy of ap-
proach. The manly calm with which he
passed through the attack upon him by
Salson endeared him to Parisians, and he
has since been the recipient of ovations
wherever he goes.
The more grave happenings of the week
have diverted public attention from the
celebration in fitting manner of the sue
cess of the French arms in Africa The
killing OF Rabah and the dispensing of
his army is feat which means the final
supremacy OF France in the Lake Tchad
region. where she is deeply interested.
This Sultan had been stumbling block
to the success of France In that territory
for some years. 1t was he who defeated
the Bretonnet mission and who killed an
other French explorer. He had had a most
remarkable career. The son of slave
and himself slave of zoobeir Pasha. he
learned from the latter the art Of warfare
and finally succeeded him in the position of
ruler Of that section. He was natural
born fighter. and was feared by all the
tribes in that locality. His death prob
ably means peace.
The Rev. E. F. Lawrence. secretary OF
the Church Society for the Promotion Of
Kindness 70 Animals, intends to visit
washington for the purpose of presenting
his ideas to President NcKinley. He hopes
also to secure audiences With the c.os,