Lord Granville has explained, in very frank language, to the
French Government that her Majesty's Government are not at all prepared to look upon any French interference in Tripoli as they have looked upon the French interference in Tunis. In the first place, they recognise Tripoli as an unques- tioned constituent of the Turkish Empire. In the next place, Tripoli is much too near Egypt to render it at all pleasant to her Majesty's Government that any strong Power should gain a footing in Tripoli. The French Government, through M. Barthelemy St. Hilaire, reply in the blandest language that they have no notion of going near Tripoli, that they have never dreamt even of annexing Tunis, that they look upon the Bey of Tunis as a most convenient "buffer" between French Algeria and the possessions of the Porte in North Africa, and that they have invaded the poor man's dominions for his own benefit, as well as theirs,—just, in fact, to expedite the adoption of an orderly system consistent with civilisation. There is nothing the French Government values more than the friendship of England, and there is no possibility at all of any misunderstanding arising out of the innocent operations in Tunis. M. Barthelemy St. Hilaire rather overdoes his part in the modest innocence and wonder with which he regards the criticisms of Europe. He almost affects to be a diplomatic ingirnu. Lord Granville, however, expresses himself satisfied, and France will certainly have no right to complain if, in case of her invading Tripoli, England should peremptorily interfere.
Previous page
