THE ANGLO-FRENCH. AGREEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12544, 11 April 1904, Page 5

THE ANGLO-FRENCH. AGREEMENT.

SOME IMPORTANT PROVISIONS THE NEWFOUNDLAND DIFFICULTY. BRITISH POSITION IN EGYPT. A NEW HEBRIDES LAND COMMISSION. By Telegraph.— Association.— London, April 8. Reuter's Agency states that the Anglo-French agreement for the adjustment of certain colonial questions has been signed. A clause was introduced at the last moment relating to the appointment of a commission to settle the New Hebrides question. The newspapers describe it as the greatest diplomatic success for many years.

(Deceived April 11. 12.32 a.m.) London, April 10. The British and French press uranimously applaud the AngloFrench agreement. The public are delighted, and attribute much of lite success of the negotiations to King Edward and President Loubet, seconded by M. Delcasse (French Minister for Foreign Affairs), M. Cambon (the French Ambassador in London), and Lord Lansdowne (British Minister for Foreign Affairs). France renounces her exclusive rights to the French shore oi 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 The restrictions as to supplying British bait to French fishermen are withdrawn. The existing facilities for drying and cleaning fish ashore continue, but Newfoundland's jurisdiction is acknowledged. Shipowners and others affected will be compensated. The Senegal-Gambia frontier is modified, giving France access to the navigable portion of the Gambia River at baton da. Britain cedes 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 limitation of British occupation nor prevention of the Egyptian Government disposing of the fiscal surpluses, already amounting to £5,000,000. She otherwise abandons her old policy of obstruction, and Britain reiterates the neutralisation of the Suez Canal. Britain recognises France's predominant position in Morocco. France agrees not to fortify the coast opposite Gibraltar, and both agree to an open-door for trade in Egypt and Morocco for 30 years at least. Jam's integrity is guaranteed, the British influence being recognised as predominant west of the Minan River and France's as paramount east of the river.

England recognises France's tariff in Madagascar. The appointment of a commission to settlo laud disputes in the New Hebrides is agreed to.