The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1901-05-24
A BIT OF DIPLOMACY.
CLEVER THICK OF AN ENGLISH GOV.
EsMoR or THE PORT OF A0EN.

she white House Of Bab-el-Mandsb.
a Monumsns Of the UndOInB OF .
FFsaoh ADMIRAL.
On the foreShore Of the Arabian coast
10 the strait OF -ei.Mandeb, at the
southern entrance to the Red sea,
stands 8 large white house concerning
which the travellers to the far east may
hear . curious story. In the middle Of
the nineteenth century. when n. de
Lesseps, after many difficulties, had
succeBfuliy noated the suez Canal
company, the governor Of the British
port OF Alden, about 100 miles distant
MAS surprised one morning by the Visit
OF q French squadron Of very unusual
size for that part Of the orient when,
having encountered terrific storm on
SOkOtra, had put In for repairs
In the mind OF the governor curiosity
was at once aroused as to the destlna'
ton Of SO large a command, curiosity
which Increased as he found Il impossl'
bic 10 extract any further Information
from the French admiral or bis officers
beyond the statement that they were
upoo an ordinary cruise, an explnna-
ton which the former was not the
least inclined to believe.
gtrm In tho belief, therefore, that
some political moEe Of great impor-
lance was adoat IL not afoot, the gov
ernor. in order first OF all to gain time,
save orders to so very tortolselikc on
tfie repairs and then set to work to take
the Frenchmen Oh their guard by CIV
ing succession Of such entertainments
aS both his slender means and the aw-
fol barrenness OF the place would az
ford
But though at the end OF two weeks
the French and British officers had got
rpon the best OF terms the immediate
Destination Of the French squadron re.
matned a. much OF mystery to the
governor OF Alden as before, and In
spite OF all possible delay the repairs
were nearly completed.
Now, Il happened that the wife Of
the governor possessed an Irish maid,
Who had been receiving attentions
from ono Of the FreAch petty officers
attentions which the girl did not regard
seriously. It occurred to the governor
that b. such means something might
be learned OF his unexpected visitors
plans. and 4 private conversation be-
tween the governors wife and her
maid resulted In another between the
latter and her French admirer, by
which Il was discovered that Perrin Is
-. 49, pninN
AZ this information the governor
opened his eyes wide indeed, for, II the
SueS canal were cut through. Perrin. as
commanding the southern entrance TO
the Red sea, in the middle Of the strait
Of Bab-el-Aandsb. would be place OF
great strategic importance, over which.
without doubt. 1t was the intention Of
che French admiral 20 hoist the tri-
C0foF.
Secretly giving orders, therefore, for
Q Runboat to Immediately embark de-
tachmena Of soldiers and steal away in
the night foF Perrin island, the govern
OF then announced a farewell banquet
and bail Tor the day but one following,
. Anai act Of courtesy with which the
BFench admiral would willingly have
dispensed, for he was anxious to sail,
but which he could not well refuse on
account Of the use be bad made Of the
British supplies and machinery at
EdeM
So the dinner and party In due course
cann OF, the governor being In high
BpiYitA, because In the meantime he had
received the news Of the occupation OF
Perim, which under the circumstances
would surely be followed by the longed
for promotion. and the French admiral
was equally happy. for be hoped on the
morrow 10 add the same important lit
tie specs OF land to the dominion Of his
own country, thereby covering his
bFeaBa with the stars and himself with
maritime giSTy.
Ng1t day, after an interchange Of
cordial fRrewells. the French squadron
Baffed away to an apparently unknown
Destination. until. when clear of the
land, the course was laid full speed d.
sect for Perrin island.
Fhen what was the dismay and dis
appointment Of the French admiral and
his officers when, on coming in sight OF
tbeIr Destination. they beheld the Brit
i'm Gag dying and a company Of sol
dfers drawn up TO give them a proper
nafuea Il 10 said the French admiral
was % mortified at being thus outwit-
tpd that In Grst dung his cooked hat
overboard Rno then followed 1t himself
into do Bp2.
b this as e may, as Perrin was
clearly already occupied by the British.
the only counter move which the
French could make was to take posses
sion Of q strip Of the foreshore on the
Opposite Arabian coast where they
Bum the foEtihed white house In ques-
ton, but 'as the place was entirely at
tie mercy Of the guns on Perrin island
Il wSs shortly abandoned. to remain to
tbfl day "a Q monument Of q French
admiTal's un6oing.-Exchange.
InOPpOrtune.