It was supposed that Lord Salisbury would take the oppor-
tunity of this dinner to discuss our relations with France; but he reserved himself for the dinner of November 9th, con- tenting himself with stating that he had received from the French Ambassador the information that the occupation of Fashoda "was of no sort of value to the French Republic, and, as any other Government would have done, they had resolved that the occupation must cease." This gratifying result is largely due to "the chivalrous character and diplo- matic habits which the Sirdar displayed" on the occasion of his mteting with Marchand, characteristics which, it may be remembered, we praised strongly at the time. "It is not probable, however," continued the Premier, "that all causes of contro7ersy between us and the French Government are thus removed." "We shall have many discussions in the future." That is certain ; but this time it is through the absence of discussion that a diplomatic victory has been achieved.
