The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-05
HER BACK TO THE WALL
France VIII Not Retreat Any Further
From Germany.

.. j.
lieved in official circles that Germany
will go the extent of making the Casa
Blanca incident, the protection by the
German embassy at Casa Blanca OF
former German subjects who had en-
listed in and later deserted from the
foreign legion of the French army, the
subject of an ultimatum. a consider
able degree of disquietude exists here
and the opinion continues to be held
that Germany is seeking to inflict
diplomatic humiliation upon France
as a diversion from the situation
which has arisen at home from the
publication of Emperor Williams now
famous interview.
This time, however, France is re-
solved to stand firm.
Paul Cambon. the French am
bassador in Berlin, has been in
structed to notify Germany that
France maintains her view that the
whole question should be arbitrated
and that in the meantime she declines
to release the deserters, to reprimand
the officers concerned, or to exchange
regrets with Germany.
At the same time the chancellories
of st. Petersburg and London have
been informed of the exact situation.
Premier Clemanceau declared today
that he was ready to go before the
chamber of deputies on the issue and
resign if he was not upheld. The
press of every shade of opinion, with
singular unanimity, voices approval OF
the governments attitude and de-
clares that backdown would be
equivalent to the moral end of France.
An extraordinary session of the
cabinet was held this afternoon and
the decision not to accede to the Ger
man demands was unanimously
ratified. At the same time it was
agreed that France should show her
conciliatory disposition by offering a
mode of egress from the present dead
lock that should be honorable to both
countries. This was set forth in the
following terms: No aggravation of
the present conflict with Germany is
settlement honorable to both countries
is hoped for If the disposition of the
German government is as conciliatory
as that of France. An understanding
could be reached by which the two
countries with mutual expressions of
regret over the Casa Blanca incident
could refer the whole affair to arbitra-
tion. But it is evident that this is the
only concession France can make and
the refusal of the cabinet to censure
the officers and soldiers concerned
must be considered as definite.
Where Germany Stands.
Berlin, Nov. 5.-The view point of
Germany in the Casa Blanca diff
Guilty was explained officially by the
foreign office with the express desire
that it be cabled to the United States
in order to. clear up any existing
doubt.
"All we demand" said an official of
the foreign office, "is a simple ex-
preston of regret from France for the
violence employed against the Ger
man consular Office at Casa Blanca, an
expression such as would be de-
manded by any nation whose officials
had been subjected to attack. Unless
this is forthcoming there would be no
object in conducting further negotia-
tions. We can not permit this point to
be submitted to arbitration, for we
regard 1t as a point of national honor
that such regret should be expressed.
1--WE do not desire that the French
officials concerned be reprimanded,
that French soldiers be punished or
the adoption of any measures of dis
cipline whatever.
Concerning the other points of the
difference we are prepared to arbi-
trate. We acknowledge that some
things might have occurred on the
German side which could have been
avoided, while France also must ad-
NIT from her side that unnecessary
acts were committed.
Both the French ambassador here,
NJ. Cambon and the French govern
ment have been aware of our demands
for a long time. There has been no
recent change in the situation and no
further pressure has been brought to
bear which might cause this question
to become more acute"
The rumors current here that Paul
Cambon the French ambassador to
Germany, has resigned, are without
foundation.