We much regret to record the death of M. Delcasse,
which occurred on Thursday. Historians will find no more prominent figure in the politics of France in the early years of this century. His foresight was equalled only by his persistence and his courage. Englishmen first became aware of his personality during the Fashoda affair in 1898. Although he was all for the expansion of France in Africa and was, therefore, behind Marchand's expedition, he was equally determined not to quarrel with Great Britain, whom he had marked down as the best friend of his country for the future. Thus the Fashoda affair was amicably settled. It was mainly M. Deleasse on the French side who engineered the Entente ; and, having established this great political principle, he was free to resist the threats of Germany so far as it was in his power to do so. Unfortunately, his countrymen drew back when he wished to defy the Kaiser at the time of the memorable German demon- stration at Tangier. He fell from power in 1905 really at, the dictation of Germany, but his policy had inspired and strengthened France, and, later, she was able to stand up to similar threats from Germany in the Casa- blanca affair in 1908 and the Agadir incident in 1911.
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