The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-18
FRANCE AND HER COLONIES.
TROUBLE IN MARTINIQUE But Sue
CESS IN sOUDAN.

Situation in Martinique Believed to
BE Due to MaIadministration of
Islands Officials Charge Made
That United states Has Been Aid
ing i'm Stirring Up the Rebellion in
That IsIand-French Officials Con-
slider the Report Wholly I'm
founded.
Copyright. 1900, by the Associated Press)
Paris, Feb. 17.-Colonial interests now
furnish a topic which for the moment
attracts more attention than the covert
intentions of other nations as to the
worlds map, or England's present en-
tanglement.
This week brought important news from
one of Frances oldest colonies, and from
her newest-Martinique and the Soudau,
a serious upheaval in the first, but the
happy intelligence of a victory for French
arms from the latter. The disagreeable
effect caused by the first was counter
balanced by the pleasant nature of the
Soudan advices.
According to dispatches received from
Martinique by members of the Chamber
of Deputies, nothing short of a rebellion
IS in progress there, due TO maladministra-
ton, while on the other hand the official
reports attribute the trouble entirely to
labor agitation and take the most hope
full view of the prospects for an early set
Element of the trouble. Nevertheless, NJ.
Dubard. the inspector general of the col
onies, who goes to Martinique to investi-
gate the situation, will sail on board a
French cruiser, and it has also been de-
cided to send reinforcements of mounted
infantry to the island.
An Attack on America.
An unpleasant feature of the comments
of the French press on the situation in
Martinique was an attempt by sensa-
tional journal to embron America in the
matter by accusing her of secretly TO-
mentng the insurrection in order to event.
ually assert herself, with view to taking
the islands from France. This paper de-
clared that colored emissarles, paid by
the United States, had been working for
years past to undermine French influence
In Martinique, but the movement had
taken an acute form since the American
acquisition of Porto Rico Not only Mar
Unique, but Gaudaloupe also 1t asserted,
has been field for these secret agents.
The object of this journal in thus at
lacking America was obviously an under
hand drive at the government, which 1t
sought to represent as neglecting colonial
interests for the sake of devotng atten-
ton to the campaign against the army and
the church.
That these assaults on America have no
wise emanated from the government is
shown by the fact that at the ministry of
colonies the statement was authorized
that the government utterly repudiated
these allegations, for which, as far as it
oI.c YfaIrr
dalton.
The other side of 1t.
Neither the government, nor those most
concerned in the interests of the island
coun tenance i'm any way this unwarrant-
ed attack. A pleasant contrast to the
publication in question is found in the
warm appreciation of America. shown in
more important paper, LIE Journal, in
an article based on the opinion that
American feeling had veered toward the
| Beers. 1t says:
THE French republic has faith in tho
United States. The future belongs to
those who by the happy welding of their
diverse elements are made to love, un
derstand and attempt all things. This is
the proper role of the United States. A
soul has been born there, which, great
already, will become greater, If it is will
ing, if it knows how and dares to free
itself of all that sterliZes noble and gen.
erous efforts. Evidence has never been
lacking of the desire of official France 10
encourage the best relations with the
United States"