New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-07

establishing itself at Fashoda, almost brought
England and France to war before it was with
drawn.
AS matters stand now, therefore. King Leopold
can have no claim to that portion of the Bahr-
el-Ghazal province not included in the Iado
Enclave, since not only did he fail to occupy it
at the time when he pledged himself to do So
but, moreover. surrendered all his rights
it to France by his convention of August IA
1894, and if France subsequently withdrew
therefrom by virtue of an agreement with Eng
land. and in the latters favor. it could not in
any way have the effect of re-establishing the
Kings leasehold rights thereto. With regard
to the Lado Encave which the Congo Free
State forces eventually did occupy the English
take the ground that they are at liberty to
treat its lease as null and void owing to the
failure of Leopold to give the consideration for
which it was granted-the consideration incIud-
ing strip of Congo territory between Lakes
Tanganyika and Albert Edward-or to fulfil
his engagements toward England in respect to
the agreement About two years ago IeopoId
seemed TO be on the point of yielding to the
representations of the English government and
10 nave resolved TO withdraw from the Nile
But all of a sudden something occurred n
change his mind. There are people who ascrfba
1t to German or Russian influences But the
fact remains that since then he has assumed
ii Hi'' e'''e'ole' ueldHI ATTITUDE toward England
and, as stated above not only spent an enor-
nous amount of money in strengthening his
defences in the Lado Encave, but likewise in
establishing fortified posts at all sorts of points
IN that portion of the Bahr-el-GhazaI proyince
OF Egypt which he had surrendered to France
III 1871 and from which France had subse-
quehtIF Withdrawn. after the Fashoda episode
py virtue of an agreement with England and
IN the favor of the latter It is this that hoe
created the situation which the British govern
meht now decided to settle once and FIR oil
Time. The embargo which has been laid uno,, all
intercourse communications and traffic between
ne beISlan and Congo Free State posts aud
oe.'tieIhehts' in the LadO Enclave and elsewhere
" 'le bahr-el-Ghazal province and tAa o.tsr
"orid' VIII nave the effect of rendering the slim
@uoh 'hefe almost untenable and it is as IfkeI--
as not 10 lead to reDrisals by King Leopo1d,s
troops stationed there. And then too attennte
I" run Belgian or Free State steamers dow,
the river would assuredly be opposed, forcibIv If
necessary by the Anglo-Egyptian gunboats
which patrol the Nile. If there is no clash nro-
Voked by King Leopold's troops in the Bshr-eI-
Grazal province and no withdrawal. then it is
extremely probable that the Anglo Egyptian
government will adopt measures to compel them
to retire. In that there is certain to be
boodshed and conflict, the effects of which
will be felt in Europe, since it is difficult TO
conceive the idea of England being at war with
King Leopold sovereign of the Free State
and on friendly terms with him as ruler Of
Belgium In fact, Africa, which is always fur
nishing something new. seems about to provide
the world with another international imbroglio
of as unpleasant character the unfortunate
controversy about Morocco. Ex-ATTACHE.