'The excitement caused in Paris by these events is very
great, and many of the newspapers declare that France must fight for her undoubted rights in Fashoda. Nevertheless, as we have explained elsewhere, our Government, if they act both firmly and discreetly, have the game completely in their hands. They must not enter into negotiations with France, but must occupy Fashoda in such force that Major Marchand will have no course open but to march out peacefully or sulk and remain as a pretended prisoner. Major Marchand almost certainly has only a few men, while we have some fifteen thousand available. When we are in possession of Fashoda it will be for France, if she wants to do so, to turn us out by a war in Europe. But France is not so foolish as to do anything of the kind. Egypt's right to Fashoda is beyond all question, and we are the protectors and controllers of Egypt.
