10 FEBRUARY 1894, Page 2

The French Government, it should be noticed, is greatly embarrassed

by the " forwardness " of its agents in Western Africa. The occupation, for example, of Timbuctoo was not- sanctioned from home; and it was intended to order Colonel Bonnier to abandon a position so removed from his base. Unfortunately. that officer started with an expedition into the desert to chastise the Tuaregs; and these formidable warriors, suddenly assembling in unexpected numbers, have wiped the column out, and now threaten Timbuctoo. The Government, aware of the excitability of the Chamber, has only published part of the facts ; but it is understood that they are known, and that M. Casimir-Perier has before him a very bad quarter of an hour.