Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1901-05-31
A BIT OF DIPLOMACY.
CLEVER TRICK OF AN ENGLISH GOV
ERNoR .oFsTHE PORT oFsADEN.
The Curious story Connected wfth
b White House of Bab-el-Mandeb.
A Monument of the Undofng II =
French Admiral.

On the fOreShOre OF the Arabian coast
In the strait Of Bab-el-Mandeb. at the
southern entrance to the Red sen
stands a large white house concerning
which the travellers to the far east nav
hear a curious story. In the middle Of
the nineteenth century, when NJ. de
Lesseps, after many difficulties, had
successfully foated the Suez Canal
company. the governor. OF the British
port Of Alden, about 100 miles Distant
was surprised one morning by the visit
se6Ha French squadropaaef very unusual
size for that part Of th4terient which,
having encountered a terrific storm OF
Sokotra, had put in for repairs.
In the mind Of the governofaeuriosita-
was at once aroused as%to the destii1a-s
ton of SO large a command, a curiosity
which increased as he found 1t impossi-
BILE to extract any further information
from the French admiral or his officers
beyond the statement that they were
upon an ordinary cruise, an explana-
ton which the former was not the
least inclined to believe. ~
Firm in the belief, therefore, that
some political move Of great impor-
lance was aloat If not afoot, the gov
ernor, in order first of all to gain time.
gave orders to 60 very tortoiselike Oh
the repairs and then set to work to take
the Frenchmen off their guard by gf4
ing a succession of such entertainments
as both his slender means and the aw.
full barrenness of the place would af-
ford.
But though at the end of two weeks
the French and British officers had got
upon the best of terms the immediate
destination of the French squadron re-
NAMED as much of a mystery to the
governor of Alden as before, and in
spite of all possible delay the repairs
were nearly completed.
Now. it happened that the wife of
the governor possessed an Irish maid.
who had, been receiving attentions
from n of the French petty officers
attentions which the girl did not regard
seriously. 1t occurred to the governor
that by such means something might
be learned of his unexpected visitors
plans. and a private conversation be-
tween the governors wife and her
maid resulted in another between the
latter and her French admirer.. by1
which it vas discovered that Perrin is
land was the objective point.
At this information the governor
opened his eyes wide indeed. for. If the
Suez canal were cut through. Perrin, as.
commanding the southern entrance4les
the Red sea. in the middle of the strh4f9
of Bab-el-Mandeb. would be a place Of
great strategic Importance. over which.
Without doubt, it was the intention of
the French admiral to hoist the tri-
color.
Secretly giving orders. therefore, for
a gunboat to Immediately embark a deg
tachment of soldiers and steal away in;
the night for Perrin island. the govern
or then announced a farewell banquet
n ball for the day but one following,
a fnal act Of courtesy with which the
French admiral would willingly have
dispensed. for he was anxious to- sail,
but which he could not well refuse on
account Of the use be had made Of the
British supplies and machinery at
Alden.
So the dinner and party in due course
came of, the governor being in high
spirits. because in the meantime he had
received the news of the occupation off,
Perrin, which under the circumstances
would surely be followed by the longed
for promotion. and the French admiral
was equally happy, for he hoped on the
morrow to d the same important lit
tie speck of land to the dominion of his
w country. thereby covering hissN
breast with the stars and himself with
maritime glory.
Next day. after an interchange of
cordial farewells. the French squadron
sailed away to an apparently unknown.
destination. until. when clear of the =,
land. the course was laid full speed di- !
rec. for Perrin island.
lien b was the dismay and dis
of the French admiral and
his officers when.S on coming in sight of
their destination. they beheld the Brit
lsh flag flying and accompany of SOL
diers drawn up to give them a proper f,
salute. 1t is said the French admiraI~l
was so mortified at being thus outwit-
ted that be first flung his cooked hat
overheard and hen followed it himself
the sea.
Be this as it may. as Perrin was
already occupied by the British, y
the only counter move which the
could make was to take possess
sion of a strip of the foreshore on the
Arabian coast. where thew
built the fortified white house in cues
tlon. but as the place was entirely at
the mercy OF the guns Oh Perrin island 4
1t was shortly abandoned. to remain 20
this day as Il monument of a French
unGoing Exchange.
1~nopportune.
i INST saw the Fonng Widow Weeds.
she ked just charming in her MOURN