Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-07-31
A BITOF DIPLOMACY.
CLEVER TRICK OF AN ENGLISH Gov
4 ERNoR OF THE PORT OF AoEN.

The Curioun story Connected with
the White House of Bab-cl-Mandeb.
Monument OF the UndoinR of
French Admiral.
on the foreshore OF the Arabian coast
IN the strait Of Bab-el-Mandeb. at the
southern entrance 10 the Red sea,
stands large white house concerning
which the travellers to the far east may
hear q curious story. In the middle OF
the nineteenth century. when NJ. de
Iesseps after many difficulties. had
successfully fioated the Suez Canal
company. the governor of the British
port Of Alden. about 100 miles distant,
was surprised one morning by the visit
Of a French squadron OF very unusual
size for that part Of the orient which,
having encountered terrific storm or
Sokotra. had put IN for repairs.
In the mind OF the governor curiosity
was at once aroused as TO the destIna-
ton Of so large a command, curiosity
which increased as he found II impossl-
bic 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, Their fore, that
some political move Of great impor-
lance was ahoat II not af6ot. the gov
ernor In order first of all TO gain time,
gave orders to go very tortolsellke on
the repairs and then set TO work to take
the Frenchmen Off their quad by Civ
ing succession OF such entertainments
as both his slender means and the aw-
ful 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-
manned as much OF a mystery 10 tho
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 one Of the French petty officers
attentions which the girl did not regard
seriously. IL 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 hel
+ maid resulted In another between the
latter and her French admirer, by
which It was discovered that Perrin is
land was the objective point.
At this information the governor
opened his eyes wide indeed. for, II thu
Suez canal were cut through, Perrin, al
S commanding the southern entrance Il
!, the Red sea. IN the middle Of the strai
OF Bab-el-Afandeb. would be a place o
great strategic Importance. over which
without doubt, It was the intention o
the French admiral to hoist the trl
color.
q Secretly giving orders, therefore. 70
e a gunboat TO Immediately embark a dc
tachment Of soldiers and steal away II
e the night for Perrin island, the govern
: or then announced n farewell banque
{ and bail for the day but one following
a final act Of courtesy with which IN
. French admiral would willingly hay
dispensed. for he was anxious to sail
p but which he could not well refuse OIL
account Of the use he had made OF tn
I British supplies and machinery n
Alden.
So the dinner and party I'm due cours
came off, the governor being IN hig
spirits. because in the meantime he ha
: received the news OF the occupation O
4 Perrin. which under the circumstance
would surely be followed by the longe
for promotion. and the French admira
{ was equally happy. for he hoped on tn
3 morrow to add the same important III
tie speclg OF land 20 the dominion OF III
own country. thereby covering hI
Y breast with the stars and himself wit
maritime glory.
Next day. after an Interchange o
cordial farewells, the French squadro
sailed away 10 an apparently unknown
destination. until. when clear Of In
e land. the course was laid full speed a
rect for Perrin island.
y Then what was the dismay and dis
r. appointment OF the French admiral an
y his officers when, on coming In sight O
their destination. they bcheld the Brll
ish flag flying and a company of so
diers drawn up TO give them a prope
salute. It is said the French admire
was so mortified at being thus outwi
ted that he FIRST dung his cooked ha
overheard and then followed it himsel
p Into the sea.
( Be this as It may, as Perrin wa
clearly already occupied by the British
the only counter move which th
French could make was TO take posses
e sion Of n strip Of the foreshore on I'll
= opposite Arabian coast. where the
built the fortified white house in que
i ton. but as the place was entirely a
the mercy of the guns on Perrin islam
Il was shortly abandoned. 10 remain I
this day as monument OF a Frenc
q admlrals undoing.-E
h InODpOrtune.