The French have taken another great step towards the- annexation
of Tanis. The Generals represented that it was impossible to leave that city ungarrisoned while they marched into the interior, as it was full of disaffected Arabs, who might, if they sustained a reverse, revolt behind them. The French Government accordingly requested the Bey's permission to enter, and the unhappy old man, who expected to live quietly under a French Protectorate, after a burst of pathetic rage, in which he appealed to God as his last refuge, signed the neces- sary consent. On October 10th, therefore, tha entry was accomplished, the French occupying ths citadel, the forts, the central parade, and the largest barracls, an 1 Tanis is a French town. The inhabitants looked-on "tranquilly," as the Cabulees matched Louis Cavagriar;, and will give to sige, unle is defeat .should. come ; but tLe C.,n3.1-7encr..1 handed in an energetic protest against the entry, as contrary to treaties. It would be difficult to prove that the Bey, as Sovereign, could not invite foreign regiments into his service, and station them where he pleased, but that argument and the treaty argument are both mere intellectual exercitations. The plain truth is, that the French have captured Tunis, and will keep it until otherwise inclined.
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