• The French Government wish to disperse a popular impres-
sion that in China they placed French troops at the disposal of the German General. They have, therefore, allowed three letters to be published in the Matin. which were written to Count von Waldersee by General Voyron, presumably Upon the receipt of certain orders. The letters are courteous in expression, but they assert absolute equality as regards the treatment of the Chinese population, they defend independ- ence of action, especially when, as they 'hint, other troops have 'been more cruel, and they maintain in so -rainy words the old. claim. of France to protect all Catholic .missions, Whether French or not. The letters have produced. grave irritation in Germany, where they are considered to undo the effect of all recent courtesies, and the cll.*. of France to forotect all Catholic missions is categorically repudiated. To
our mind, they add one more proof to the many in existence that troops of many nations cannot act together. The jarring between our own Sikh forces and the French was at least as serious as that between the French and Germans, and, but for the wise forbearance of General Gaselee, might have pro- duced even more serious consequences.
