The New Hebrides.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4140, 21 July 1886, Page 3

The New Hebrides.

FRENCH SENTIMENT.

The “Nco Ooledonien,” of July 13, referring to the remark tbat the Governor bad received a despatch, definitely ordering the withdrawal of the French from the New Hebrides, says;—“The Government of which M, de Preycinet is primg Mjnig[ef, has the ypeakoe**, in face of the demands of Australia, to recall our troops from the New Hebrides. It is a dishonour imposed on New Caledonia, from which onr unfortunate Colony, already so greatly sacrificed, will not find it easy to relieve itself. It is an unmerited blow in the face, which has been given ns by onr Government, bnt which will recoil upon themselves. It is the absence of the Tricolor in tho Pacific. It is the degradation of opr Fatherland, the disavowal of her children. It is the triumph of inoapables, the laughing-stock who pretend to conduct tho Government jn Paris. With a Ministry timid and pusillanimous, who at Madagascar delivered without de 1 ? fence pur faithful allies the Lakalaves to their enemies and ours to tho Qovas, with a Ministry (hat to-day abandons the New Hebrides, because M. Berry demands it—with such a Ministry there is everything to fear. Should it ever bare a place in history it will be named the Ministry of sacrifice

and immolation, Well, whilst you are about it, don’t rest here, Messieurs! Crown your work ! Cede also Now Caledonia to Australia, and cede our other colonies, as did Isabel, of Bavaria, France to England. It is Bismarck yon represent —for has he not New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga and the rest. As to posterity, oh illustrious and strong willed Ministry, she will raise to you statues at Melbourne and Westminster.”

The expedition to the New Hebrides has told severely on the health of the French troops. The whole tenor of the comments in the Caledonian press is to the effect that the iahabitants decline to believe that the French occupation of the New Hebrides is only temporary, as stated by reports received from Australia. France, they say, having planted her flag on the New Hebrides, which have been watered by . tho blood of their colonists and navigators, cannot retire before pretensions which are unable to bear serious examination. The retreat of the troops from the New Hebrides would be witnessed by French residents in New Caledonia with the same sorrow as the joy which was excited by the departure of the expedition. The only possible solution of the difficulty, it is alleged, compatible with the dignity and interests of the French, is to take possession of the islands. Great Britain having listened to the voice of Australia in the matter, it is hoped tbat France will listen to the voice of her Colony in the Pacific.