France.

Manawatu Herald, 10 December 1898, Page 2

France.

-•— Sir Edmund Mon son, British Ambassador, made a sensational speech before the British Chamber of Commerce in Paris. British polioy, His Excellency declared, was truthful and straightforward, and plain speaking was the best guarantee of amity. .He deprecated irritation such as that caused by constant pin-pricks, and declared that the encouragement of the French scheme for founding native educational establishments at Khartoum and Fashoda might lead Great Britain further than she desired to go. The French newspapers, commenting npon Sir Edmund Monson's speech, complain of the arrogance of the British. English newspapers question Sir Edmund Monson's discretion in making the speech. Sir Edmund Monson's speech has occasioned intense surprise in Pari?, and haa created an uneasy feeling. It, is not likely that good will result from his remarks. The newspapers are unanimous in protesting against the Ambassador's tone. "La Liberfce " cays that M. Delcasse, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, should not fail to instruct M Cambon, French Ambassador in London, to ask Lord Salisbury if he sanctioned the speech. " Les Temps " believes the language used exceeded the speaker's intention, and, in any case, certainly exceeded Great Britain's intention. The " Daily News " states that M. Declasse regards the scheme for native schools at Khartoum as being ab3urdly impracticable.