Salisbury Gives The News

SALISBURY GIVES THE NEWS.

France Sends Word of Her Withdrawal from Fashoda on the Nile.

The assembly greeted the rising of the Marquis of Salisbury to toast the sirdar with nervous silence, as it had been whispered that he had an important and grave statement to make. His statement was important, but it was pacific, as he announced a settlement of the chief difficulty with France. The premier said in part: "No one can wonder at the vast enthusiasm by which the career of this great soldier has been received, especially when we consider the strange dramatic interest of the circumstances and conditions amid which his laurels were won by the sirdar. Besides being a splendid soldier he is also a splendid diplomatist. It must have required unusual talents successfully to carry out the delicate mission up the Nile which conducted him into he presence of Major Marchand.

"The sirdar has recently expressed the hope that the difficulties arising from the presence of Major Marchand may be within the power of diplomacy to adjust. I am glad to say that up to a certain point he has proved a true prophet. This afternoon I received from the French ambassador the information that the French government has come to the conclusion that the occupation of Fashoda is of no sort of value [prolonged laughter and cheers], and that they thought, in the circumstances, that to persist in an occupation which would only cost them money and do harm, merely because some bad advisers thought it might be disagreeable to an unwelcome neighbor, would not show the wisdom with which, as I think, the French republic has been uniformly guided.

"They have done what I believe every government would have done in the same position - resolved that the occupation must cease. [Cheers.] I must not be understood as saying that all causes of controversy are removed Doubtless there will be many discussions between us, but a somewhat acute and somewhat dangerous cause of differences has been removed."

General Kitchener, whose reply was modest and not important, gave unstinted praise to the British, Egyptian and Soudanese troops. The sirdar said he would indeed have been an incapable leader if he had failed of victory with such soldiers. He gave some details as to the experience of the expedition, dwelling with pride upon its cheapness, and in summing up "the assets that remain" referred to 600 miles of railway, gunboats, a flotilla of sailing craft and [after a pause] the Soudan. [Laughter and applause.]

A striking feature of the occasion was the presence of a number of young officers of the Guards, Life Guards and Twenty-first Lancers who had served with the sirdar. Several of them were wounded, and walked with crutches or with their arms in slings.