The French Chamber has finally decided, by 400 to5 . 2, that
it will keep Tunis. The question was raised on Thursday, in the form of a motion from the Cle'menceau side to refuse the credits demanded, for the forces, and M. Gambetta made a clear though not satisfactory statement. He should not interfere with Tripoli, and should. not annex Tunis, but he should reduce that Regency to order, and then govern it through the Bey, and an administration reorgan- ised on the Egyptian model, with French control over -taxation and the Treasury. There must be a French garrison, lest the Arabs should massacre all Europeans and France be held responsible, but it should be as speedily as possible reduced to a minimum. The Chamber accepted these promises and voted -the credits, and it is understood in Paris that M. Gambetta's plan is to leave :20,000 soldiers in Tunis partly paid by the Bey, and to govern through the Bey and a Cabinet of Frenchmen holding all important offices. This is, of course, annexation in all but name.
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