26 OCTOBER 1889, Page 2

M. Ferry has published a long reply to Signor Crispi,declaring

France quite friendly to Italy, and denying that be intrigued with Prince Bismarck to obtain Tunis. France had always intended to take Tanis, and, in fact, settled it with English diplomatists at the tiMe Lord Beaconsfield obtained the

charge of Cyprus. That is a curious historical revelation. We have always wondered why France made so little fuss about that transaction ; but it now appears that she did re- monstrate, and obtained - compensation. The arrangement made by Lord Beaconsfield was, of course, opposed to all international law, if the Sultan has any right to any of his dominions ; but then, that is precisely the question. He is in military occupation of them, as a pirate might be of a Mediterranean island ; but that is not a rightful tenure. At least, it is not the European practice to consider it one when pleaded by the lower against the higher civilisation. The Italians declare, by-the-way, that they refused Tunis, and that the French Ambassador in London, M. Waddington, pledged France not to take the Regency.