The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3917, 19 July 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1881.

Continually of late we have had cable, grams referring to the progress of the Fip^invasion of Tunis, and the fierce on the part of the native Arab tribes. Whatever doubts may have been entertained at the commencement of-hostilities that the French were not th&aggressors^havc now been dispelled by the late movements of the army lof occupation, and the violent means : taken to secure possess.lon of the town of Sfax. France has apparently altogether recovered from the effects of the German irt r, and her Government have perhaps found out what the late Emperor, Napoleon 111., was forced to admit, that it was absolutely necessary, for the internal peace of the country, to keep the army employed, and- nothing less-than war: wm sufficient-to cheile iKe exqitable and turbulent nature, of the people. Notwithstanding that the policy of the State in taking possession of. some new territory on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea was sure to eroke the opposition of Italy and other Powers, the French have persevered in it, and are no doubt prepared to meet the consequences. That it is an invasion, and one entered upon on the slightest of pretexts, is now apparent, and also that it should result in a conflict, between Turkish,, and French powers need not be matter for surprise. It, however, appears strange that other States besides Italy have not entered a protest against the policy of France, especially England, always looked upon as the champion of the weaker States; yet we are unable to learn that she has done more than ask a question as to the ulterior intentions of the French Government. An unpublished cablegram of the date of July 6th, however, states that the complications arising out of the Tunisian trouble are assuming an alarming aspect, and it is feared that they will give rise to a European eruption.. It is also stated that France is mobilizing a force of 100,000 men, which is ta.be sent to Tunis to occupy that State for a term, and with the object of preserving order in North Africa. We all know what a temporary occupation means, and how very difficult it is for an army to be withdrawn once it is in possession, no matter by what means it in the first instance obtained possession. Many circumstances may arise which in the opinion of France- may justify her in keeping possession of Tunis for a longer period than at first mentioned—and if circumstances do not of themselves tend in the desired direction, it is not a difficult matter to cause them to do so. An outbreak fomented by French intrigue, or a spirit of discontent caused by the severity of the measures of the army of occupation, are sufficient to send the Arab inhabitants of Tunis into open rebellion, or at least to cause them to commit some act calculated to disturb the peace of the State. Any such circumstance would be quite enough pretext for the continued occupation, and in the meantime diplomacy and Court intrigue may sj arrange matters that annexation of territory may follow. We are not surprised that the feeling in-Italy should be intensely warlike, and that the relations between the two countries should be strained. Italy has looked of late with a jealous eye upon tbe gradual and steady increase of French influence on the opposite coast of the Mediterranean, and any fresh acquisition of territory can only increase the interests of France, and decrease in a measure those of Italy in the Middle Sea. Even England may be more interested in this matter than is at first apparent, for France, having added Tunis to Algeria on one side, may ere long desire to add Morocco on the other, and then Cueta, opposite Gibralter, may be of as much importance as is the present guardian fort of the straits. England, uttier her Liberal Government is inclined for peace, and Gladstone's opinions are the other extreme of those of the late Earl of JBeaconsfield* who believed that England best fulfilled her destiny, and protected her people, by taking upon herself the position, as it were, of the arbiter of the fate of other states.