The intelligence from Sontay was received in the French Senate
as almost barring discussion. The Due de Broglie made a speech on the Votes of Credit, denouncing the general feeling that criticism was unpatriotic, but still that was the feeling ; and Admiral Joureguiberry was warmly cheered for a very Chauvinist speech. He thought China would accept accom- plished facts, but if not, he would "follow the example of 1860," when Pekin was directly attacked by Lord Elgin and General Montauban. That could be done without blockading ports, and "Europe would despise France if she passed under the Caudine Forks of China." M. de Freycinet was nearly as violent, asking that China should be called on to withdraw her troops, and that if she did not, "material guarantees" should be seized ; and M. Ferry declared that "even the prudent Louis Philippe had affairs in the extreme East," and that ".a country did not be- come great by flinching from difficulties." The Senate voted the first grant, 2360,000, by 211 to 7; and the second grant, 2800,000, by 215 to 6. The Clericals and their allies did not vote, the Vatican having called attention officially to the posi- tion of Catholic converts in the Far East. This matter of the Anamese Christians has been overlooked, but it has a serious effect on French policy, as it impels a considerable section of society in the direction of war.
