Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 12, 1898. The Humiliation of France.

Manawatu Herald, 12 November 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, NOV. 12, 1898. The Humiliation of France.

The French press declares that France has sustained, in the evacua fcion of Fashoda, no worse hurnilia Lion since 1871. There can* be no doubt that in the game of grab in the Soudan they have been success fully defeated, just; as in 1871 the Germans defeated them and they had to surrender Paris to their enemy. It is strange that the French papers should so loudly proclaim the fact, as the war with Germany was of their urging, the head lines of the papers being beaded " a la Berlin,'' and they have had just as much to do in causing their govern menfc to_sirain the relations with Britain until a very emphatic, word had to be said a<=> to what the British Ministers intended to do, and simply because France cannot say them nay, the papers like to say that France has been humiliated. Our French friends want some sobering down, as they at present are given to talk more strongly than it is prudent to do, when their allies, and the strength of the allies of Britain are counted up. For many months the Continental papers have been indulging in many a sneer at British diplomacy, and France, imagining Kussia was powerful because she was the ruler over a large territory, believed that if they combined they could rule the world. Great Britain without fuss and without proclaiming her moves from the house tops, appears, when fact 3 come out, to have dons excellently well in providing new outlets for her traders and good foils to her opponents. While Russia has been making a good deal of commotion in the north of China, and pausing an idea that war with Britain must be the result, the British statesmen have been not only acquiring the trade of the centre and the most valuable portion of that country, but. they have been enabled to proceed safely with their schemes towards the practical annexation of Egypt, and the acquisition of a continuous holding in Africa from the Mediterranean to the Cape of Good Hope. France has, as we know, objected, hut as her ally, Russia, is too bu«y in China she is unable to move a hand. The poor old Turk was (he

next hope France had of raising a row about Egypt, but now she learns that her enemy Germany, is hand-in-hand wUh her, which will, in a few years to come, prove a GermanEgyptian arrangement, that is to gay, Germany, with the consent of Great Britain will take charge of Turkey both in Europe and Asja, and end in annexing those territories. Great Britain having the lion's share of Africa is willing to grant Germany her share in Asia, perhaps the more willingly as if she did not get it, Russia would. Thus both in China and Africa, Britain has succeeded in in f erposing Germany between Russia and herself,' and it has all the appearance that the Powers of the world to-day, are Britain, the United States, and Germany, and that the over-reaching of Franca ha 3 brought this great humiliation upon herself. History reminds us that Germany is the last country that desires war, she is much more desirous of exfceud, ing her commerce by paaceful msans and she knows that through the British colonies she has a most valuable ou let. Going to war in any direction would weaken German horn. j . forces, and a 9 France will keep up the claim to the provinces 9he lost in 1871 it is unlikely tba 1 ; Germany would cuter into any war as her ally. I* is not to the advantage of Germany to see France any stronger than she is, and pissibly would not ba disinclined to a.;t her weaker. Thus if Germany did not join Britain in a war with Franc? -iho would be would be bound lo *tand n u'-ral, and this would be ilmasb as dangerous to France as her b^ing an open enemy, a3 France would beli ye that she wou'd attack her 00 the first repulse the received, and would thus have to ke % p a large portion of her army on the German frontier. Our last cable? tell us of a difficulty arising between the French in Algiers and the district of Tripoli, which the Turk seems to have satis factorily settled by giving Germany permission to settle a colony on the frontier. This is an instance that Germany is not considering French feeling 3 and is quite prepared to back even the Turk up in a row with that country. We do not suppose, and we think that all we have heard of the calmness of British statesmen supports this, that there has been any desire on the part of Britaiu to humiliate Frariee, they have not only gone the way they intended to, but in the way that four years ago they informed French Ministers they ware going, and tho simple efforts pit forth by France to impede this sv.»rk have deserved the fate they hive me*.