13 MAY 1865, Page 2

The Emperor of the French has issued a singular proclamation

to the Desert tribes of Algeria. He declares that France landed thirty-five years ago to relieve Algiers from oppression, but admires the military honour which induced the Arabs "before submitting to invoke the judgment of God. But God has pro- nounced; acknowledge, therefore, the mysterious decrees of Providence." Two centuries ago the Gauls also were vanquished, but their assimilation to the victorious Romans created a great nation. "Accept, then, facts. Your Prophet declares, God gives power to whomsoever He will.' (Chapter Of the Gow,1 verse 248.) Now, the power I hold from Him I wish to exercise in your interest and for your advantage." His Majesty continues by arguing that two millions of Arabs cannot resist forty millions of Frenchmen, that the Koran binds Mussulmans to observe their oath of allegiance, and that Arabs have shared the glory of French arms, and finishes by another appeal to the Koran, which states that "He whom God directs is well directed." (Chapter vi., "El Eraf," verse 177.) Protestants can hardly help wondering what the mother of this "Eldest Son of the Church" will think of it all. What Arabs will think we have endeavoured to show in another place.