ENGLAND AND FRANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8416, 16 January 1899, Page 3

ENGLAND AND FRANCE-

Tm: following important London cablegram was accidentally dropped out <>f our messages last week : — A British Blue Book, dealing with Madagascar, and containing statements of a sensational character, lir.s been issued. It indicts France for a breach of treaties, and promises, about which, it states, France remains silent, she only having conceded the withdrawal of the order by the Oovernor of Madagascar restricting the coasting trade to French vessels. The Clue Book also alleges that Lord Salisbury's complaint that under oilicial threats British residents in Madagascar have been compelled to purchase only French goods remains unsettled. The Daily News commenting on the Blue Book, says it shows the result of the persistency of the French "pin pricks" policy and high preferential tariffs, slamming" the door in Loid Salisbury's face. "The Times" bays that under cover of grandiloquent phrases, France habitually acled with shabbines, cupidity and cunning. The " Daily Chronicle " asks how is it possible to iive in amity with such a Government ? The " Pall Mall Gazette " argues for the cession of the French shore of Newfoundland as a set-off to the substantial British interest strangled in Madagasgar. The "Westminster Gazette" says tlmt the trade rights in Madagascar must lie negotiated as part of a comprehensive settlement. The "St. .Tames' Gazette" states that it would be folly to allow French protectorates over regions now open to trade.