the French authorities at Cairo. I do
not wish to be misunderstood as saying that all causes of
controversy are by this removed between the French Government and
ourselves. It is probably not so, and it may be that we shall have
many discussions in the future, but a cause of controversy of a
singularly acute and somewhat dangerous character has been
removed, and we cannot but congratulate ourselves upon it."

In the same connection it is of interest to learn what Major Marchand
had to say. The full text of his speech made at a banquet given to him
and Captain Baratier by the French Club at Cairo on the 7th October
appeared in the Press. In the presence of the Acting French Diplomatic
Agent and others, Major Marchand said:--

"Monsieur le Ministre de France, Monsieur le President,
Messieurs--There are two reasons why you will not expect a speech
from me. In the first place I am only a soldier and no orator; and
then one cannot be talkative on a day of reflection, a day which
brings to me personally a great sorrow, the official abandonment
of Fashoda. Fashoda! it was only a point--it is true that it
synthetised everything. But if we lose the point we abandon
nothing of our thesis. To reflect is not to despair--on the
contrary. The experiences of this world teach us that the sum of
our sorrows is not greater than that of our joys. The more the
black period may be prolonged the more quickly will approach the
dawn of proud aspirations at length realised. And the granite
Sphinx which near at hand dreams on the desert sands, the Sphinx
which saw the passage of Bonaparte, which saw Lesseps and his
work, has not yet uttered its last word, has not murmured the
supreme sentence. The more fiercely evil fortune may pursue us the
more should we call to our aid the great hopes which swell the
heart and fortify the will. The French colony in Cairo, moreover,
has shown more than ten times over already that it knows no
discouragement. I should like, my dear and valiant compatriots, to
give you some small recompense. Listen! When, nearly three years
ago, the Congo-Nile mission left France, it was not in order to
make a more or less famous journey of exploration. No, its aim was
far higher. You have already guessed it. Why, then, proclaim it
here? We desired (here the speaker paused a moment) to carry
across Fr