Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-01-22
A BIT OF DIPLOMACY
An English Official Who 0utwlt-
ted a French Admiral.
HOW PERRIN ISLAND WAS WON
The interesting Stery That Is Told by
a White House on the Foreshore OF
the Arabian Coast at the Southern
Entrance to the Red Sea.

the Arabian Coast at the Southern
Entrance TO the Red Sea.
ON the foreshOre OF the Arabian
coast In the strait of Bab-el.Aiandeb,
nj the southern entrance to the Red
sea. stands large white house con
corning which the travellers to the far
east may hear u curious story. In the
middle Of the nineteenth century.
when NJ de Lesseps after many Diff
cultlcs had successfully hoated the
Sucz Canal company. the governor OF
the British port Of Alden. about 100
miles distant. was surprised one morn
ing by the visit OF French squadron
NJ very unusual size for that part of
the orient. which. having encountered
terrific storm off 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 command. curiosity
which increased as he found II impos-
slblc 10 extract any further informa-
ton from The French admiral or bis
officers beyond the statement that
they were upon an ordinary cruise. an
explanation which the former was not
the least inclined TO believe.
Firm IN the belief. therefore. that
some political move Of great impor-
lance was afloat. If not afoot the gov
crnor. IN order first of all to gain time.
gave orders TO go very tortoise-like on
the repairs and then set to work to
take the F'renchmen or their guard by
giving succession of such entertain
ments as both his slender means and
the awful barrcnncss Of the place
would afford.
But. though ut the end of two weeks
the French and British officers had got
upon the best Of terms. the immediate
destination of the French squadron
remained MS much of Il mystery TO
the governor OF Alden ms before. and
In spite of all possible delay the re-
pairs were nearly completed.
Now. II happened that the wife OF
the governor possessed an Irish maid,
who had been receiving attentions
from one 1T the French petty officers
attentions which the girl did not re-
gard seriously. II occurred to the gov
ernor that 10y such means something
might be learned of his unexpected
visitors plans. and n private CONVEX
satiun between the governors wife
and her maid resulted In another be-
tween the latter aud her French ad-
mlrer, by which Il was discovered
that Perrin island was the objective
point.
At this information the governor
opened his eyes wide indeed. for. II
the Suez canal were cut through. Pc
rim. as commanding the southern en-
trance to the Red sea. In the middle
of the strait of ab-el-Mandeb. would
be place of great strategic impor-
lance. over which. without doubt. 1t
was the Intention OF the French ad-
mirai TO hoist the tricolor.
Secretly giving orders. therefore. for
gliilboat to Immediately embark q
detachment of soldiers and steal away
In the night for Perrin island. the gov
ernor then announced n farewell ban
quet and bail for the day but one fol-
lowing, n final act OF courtesy with
which the French admiral would will
ingiy have dispensed. for he was anx-
Ious to sail. but which he could not
well refuse on account Of the use he
had made of the British supplies and
machinery nj 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 occu-
patton OF Perrin. which under the cir
cumslnnces would surely be followed
by the longed for promotion. and the
French admiral was equally happy.
for he hoped on the morrow 10 add
the same important little speck of land
TO the dominion of his own country.
thereby covering his 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
destima, lon. until. when clear Of the
land. the course WIS laid full speed di-
rect for Perrin island.
Then what were the dlsmay and dis
appointment OF the French admiral
and his officers when. on coming IN
sight OF their destination. they beheld
the British dag nyiag aud "A company
OF soldiers drawn up 10 give them
proper salute. II Is said the French
admiral was So mortified nj being thus
outwitted that he first lung his cock
ed hat overheard and then followed Il
nt,panff ipfa fha 1an
BE this as II may. ms Perrin was
clearly already occupied by the Brit
ish. the only counter move which the
French could make was to take pos
session Of strip Of the foreshore on
the opposite Arabian coast. where
they built the fortified white house In
question. hut as the place was entirely
at the mercy OF the guns ON Perrin Is
land II was shortly abandoned. to re-
main to this day as monument OF
French admirals undoing. -Exchange,