THE FRENCH IN AFRICA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11046, 25 February 1898, Page 5

THE FRENCH IN AFRICA.

A WARNING. FROM GREAT

BRITAIN.

?r«s« Association—By Telegraph—Copyright London, February 23.

(Received February 24, at 9.15 a.m.) The Marquis ol Salisbury states that Sir Edmund Monson, British Ambassador at Paris, has informed M. Hanotaux (Ministsr for Foreign Affairs) that if the reports are .true with regard to the invasion of the Sultanata of Sokoto the news will have a very •erious bearing upon the present situation in West Africa., M. Hanotaux said that he did not believe the reports. If they were true, however, the incidents had occurred against the wishes and instructions of the French . Government, since it was not the desire of the Government to approach Sokdto. M. Andre Lebon, French Minister for the Colonies, was also seen by- the British' Ambassador. He declared that no French troops were at present in the Sokoto region. Commenting on these statements, The Times remarks that the contention that the arrival of a French force at Argungu Tagga is unconnected with any invasion of Sokoto renders it necessary to cautiously accept the denials of members of the French Ministry. It adds that the French troops ought to be confined to the west bank of the Niger. (Received February 24, at 9.30 p.m.) , . A British exploring party,- under Major Gibbons, starts in April next to examine the' sources of the Congo and Zambesi Kivers. If possible the expedition will return by the way of the Great Lakes and the Nile. , Beportu from Lagos state that Colonel H. E. M'Callnra, Governor arid, Comm^nderrinchief 'of Lagos," arrived 'at'^Siiki.v^ih'nibV hinterland, on Monday, and that *■; the Imperial troops are pushing forwafd rapidly. No fewer than, 154 officers belonging to the army militia have been sent to West Africa. ,■,.:•■■-. ■•■ ,\...,; .. ,1

(I'BR Ujih'ED PkESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, February 24-. j A' special despatch to the Saii Francisco Chronicle from London (January 15) states :— "The temporarily over-shadowed, movements of the French on the Upper Nile are again becoming unpleasantly prominent. It was imagined that England had undisputed claims ■upon those regions. It is immaterial to discuss the exact whereabouts of the French exptditions. It suffices that, according to the bulk of evidence, they have penetrated to Bahr-el-Ghazl, themost fertile province of Egyptian Soudan, with tbe dittinet mandate of their Government. If this is true, and the declaration of successive British Cabinets means anything, M, Hanotaux has brought about a casus belli. Thus.far M. Hsnotanx seems to have the advantage, but the game is dangerous.. The fear of war with France will not stop Great Britain from recovering the whole of Egyptian Soudan and driving out any French expeditions which may be fouad there when, in the opinion of the Marquis of Salisbury, the proper time has arrived, _ In the meantime Priuce Henry of Orleana is fitting out at Marseilles, and evidently with the approval of the Government, an armed expedition to subdue the equatorial provinces which the Negus presented, claiming that they had belonged to Abyssinia in prehistoric times; but in reality these pro-- . viuces are identical with those Great Britain is geekiDg to restore to Egypt, so perhaps there is some truth in the story that the activity of the British, it due to the Egyptian Intelligence department learning that the FrenchAbyesinia. troops have reached Pashoda, that King^Meuelikis pteparing reinforcements with ; the intention of following up this success, and that a common policy, which is morally supported by Russia, unites France and Abyssinia.."