BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 6, 9 January 1899, Page 5

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

(I BRITAIN AXD FRANCE

[1 TRICKERY IX MADAGASCAR

[ A SEXSATIOXAL BLUE BOOK.

[ NEWFOUNDLAND RIGHTS

i FRAXCE WILLING TO ACCEPT [. COMPENSATION.

LOXDOX, January 7.

A British Blue Book, dealing with Madagascar, and containing details of a sensational character, has been issued.

It indicates that France has committed breaches of the Treaties and of her promises, about which, it states, France remains silent, she only having consented to the withdrawal of the Governor of Madagascar's restriction of coasting trade to French vessels.

It also alleges that Lord Salisbury's complaint. That under official threats British residents in Madagascar are compelled to only purchase French goods, remains unsettled. The 'Daily News,' commenting on the Blue Book, says it shows the result of the persistency of Frencth pinpricks, the high preferential tariffs jmposed, slamming the doors in Lord Salisbury's face.

The 'Times' says that under cover of grandiloquent phrases France has habitually acted with shabbiness, cupidity and cunning. The 'Daily Chronicle' asks. How is itpossible to live in amity with such a Government?

The 'Pall Mall Gazette' argues that the cession of the French shore of Newfoundland should be demanded as a set-off to the substantial British interests strangled in Madagascar.

The 'Westminster Gazette' says that trade rights in Madagascar must be negotiated as part of a comprehensive settlement.

The 'St. James' Gazette' states itwould be folly to allow French protectorates over regions now open to .trade. The 'Standard' states that Great Britain'will prob.ablv be willing to compensate France .by the cession of West African territory. I LONDON, January 8. '■'■■ The 'Observer' suggests that an 'Anglo-French committee of jurists should settle the Nile region boundary, Madagascar. New Foundland, and Congo difficulties. PARIS, January S. The 'Debats'. and 'Eclaire' accuse Great Britain of administering pinpricks to France. The 'Temps' deprecates AngloFrench recriminations. Tbe future, it says, must be faced. The past furnishes lessons and thevigilanee of the British press shows the potentiality of a disastrous state Of mind. • The 'Matin's' suggestion that the Channel Islands should be ceded to France in.exchange for tbe Newfoundland cession has raised an indignant outcry from the Channel Islanders.

M. "Deieasse, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, says he feels the idea is Utopian and likely to give England c pretext-for war. An official communication published by the French press declares that France is wiDing to accept adequate compensation for the French shore in Newfoundland.