NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE relations between England and France are much less strained. Both in Paris and London the Foreign Offices are in earnest conference with diplomatists, and it is rumoured that some very large plan is on the carpet—perhaps the transfer of the Free Congo State to France—under cover of which all minor disputes, such as the Newfoundland question and the Madagascar question, may be suddenly and amicably settled. The Paris Press preaches peace between the two Powers as a necessity of civilisation, and compliments M. Delcassis on his moderation and desire to meet friendliness with amity. It is even acknowledged that the position of Great Britain in Egypt has lost some of its bitterness for France since the conquest of the Soudan,—a change of tone curiously marked by the disappearance of the last anti- English French journal published in Cairo. Its subsidy is said to have been withdrawn. The change of tone since a fortnight ago, when we were to be invaded and "extirpated," is a little bewildering ; but so long as the Channel Fleet is always ready, Englishmen are delighted to welcome even an appearance of cordiality in France. As we want the East and South of Africa, and France the North and West, there is no adequate territorial ground of quarrel.
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