FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12728, 11 April 1904, Page 3

FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

CABLEGRAMS. [PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.]

IMPORTANT CONVENTION. FULL SUMMARY. LONDON, April 8. A Reuter’s message states that the Anglo - French agreement has been signed. A clause was introduced at the last moment relating to the appointment of a commission to settle the New Hebrides question. Received April 11, 0.22 a.m.) April 10. The British and French press unanimously applaud the Anglo - French agreement. The public of both countries is delighted, and attributes much of the success of the negotiations to King Edward and President Loubet, seconded by M. Delcasse, M. Gambon, and Lord Lansdowne.

France renounces her exclusive rights to the French Shore of Newfoundland, but retains the right to fish on the coast, receiving the additional right to catch lobsters. The restrictions as to supplying British bait to French fishermen are withdrawn, and the facilities for drying and cleaning fish ashore are continued; but Newfoundland’s jurisdiction is acknowledged. Shipowners and others affected will be compensated. The frontiers of Senegal and Gambia are modified, giving France access to the navigable portion of the 1 Gambia river at Yarbatenda. Great Britain cedes to France the Los Islands, off the Sierra Leone coast, commanding the French port of Konakry. The frontier of northern Nigeria is modified, giving France a straight and easy access to Lake Tchad. The political status of Egypt remains unaltered. France does not ask for the limitation of British occupation, nor seek to prevent the Egyptian Government from disposing of the fiscal surpluses, already amounting to £5,600,000. She otherwise abandons her old policy of obstruction to Great Britain, and reiterates tho neutralisation of the Suez Canal. Great Britain recognises France’s predominant position in Morocco. France agrees not to fortify the coast opposite Gibraltar. Both agree to the open door for trade in Egypt and Morocco for thirty years at least. Siam’s integrity is guaranteed, British influence being recognised as predominant west of the Mlnan river and France’s as paramount east of that river. England recognises France’s tariff in Madagascar. The appointment of a commission to settle land disputes in the New Hebrides is agreed to.