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Black Republic of Letters

Note - Jules de Cuverville

Jules de Cuverville (1834-1912) was a French naval officer. Learn more about Jules de Cuverville.

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Colonial Policy
In the first issue of this newspaper, we noted the habit in Europe of disproportionately amplifying the victories won over weak people. And we invoked, on this subject, the witness of the celebrated admiral Dumont-d'Urville, who summarized a judicious analysis of the battle of Navarin and the taking of Algiers, saying: "It is unfortunate for a nation to see exalted, as we do, such ordinary things; it detracts from the great things."

Here is what an eye witness of the principal events in Dahomey has just show with grave revelations, how the thirst for glory, the desire to be "illustrious," pushes the heads of the French expedition to perpetrate and to aggravate a situation that is already too troublesome, and that, at the risk of bringing France the embarrassment of a Tonkin infinitely more dangerous and less productive.

It results, in effect, from the declaration of Mr. Siciliano, the representative in Dahomey of the firm Mante and Borelli of Marseille, that Admiral Cavelier de Cuverville only dreamt of bumps and bruises. This general officer had charged Father Dorgère—who knows next to nothing about the country—to present King Kondo or Bazou unacceptable propositions which absolutely conflict with the instructions of the French government. Mr. Siciliano's long stay on the Slave Coast, his familiarity with the customs of the country, his actual participation in the latest events, all this gives his words an authority that is incontestable and uncontested. His declarations even more important than was supposed for such adventurous merchants, with a tendency to claim State interference in the profits of their business. Since most of the European powers' colonial conquests have no other origin.

Mr. Siciliano, it is true, was not given an official mission, but the minister of the navy, at whose disposition he was put, judging that his great knowledge of the countries could be useful, gave him a letter introducing him to Admiral Cuverville, while at the same time Mr. dr Freycinet was indicating to him the conditions in which peace could be achieved, and which are the following: "The cessation of Kotonou, the opening of the country to Europeans, the end of human sacrifices, the forbidding of the king to cede his territory to any power other than France." Thanks to the prejudice of the authorities of the conquering army, negotiations could not even be undertaken with King Badazin, who is disposed to a treaty. The Admiral wants to let gunpowder do the talking and have the glory of offering Dahomey to France.

Likewise the late Admiral Courbet, when he was so harshly abusing the ministers whom he treated as "Pulcinellas," particularly rebuking them for not enlarging the field of combat by an official declaration of war in China. Who knows, however, what would have happened, if this immense contingency had been taken?

That the Jean-Barts and Dugay-Trouins think that the role of the navy and soldier is to fight and to march forth, and that the cannons of their vessels are destined to do more than exchange peaceful salutes with the English squadron, nobody is surprised. But it falls to those who weigh the heavy responsibility of directing the State to retain this warrior spirit when it becomes unwelcome.

What is the cause of the Dahomeyan conflict? No one really knows. There were exaggerations, insignificant facts blown out of proportion, in order to find a pretext for an intervention: there was talk of "avenging the flag," as if the incursions of the King of Dahomey on French territory had a real importance.

We can only come into such a debate with the most extreme circumspection. We would be happy here to reprint the sensible language of a Frenchman, Mr. Françis Magnard, editor-in-chief of the Figaro, who, after having drawn up a report of this dire colonial policy, concluded thus:
Since we already have Whydah, Porto-Novo and Kotonou, well fortified, since the Dahomeyans are not trying to despoil us of them, since—and this must be the supreme argument—the possession of these three points is amply sufficient for our "colonial expansion" in this region, let us be content with the status quo, leave a small military force in sight of the coast to keep the respect of the Dahomeyans, but do not risk giving us a prolonged war with these people who, after all, seem quite resolute.

...what a nasty animal,
when we attack it, it defends itself.

It is undeniable that fathers of families and French taxpayers must think that too much money has already been spent, and too much blood has been spilled in this adventure. And if one is to make serious estimations, it will require another four thousand men and forty million francs to reach a solution—which will be no less illusory. Because the only result obtained up to now is distressing proof that African brutality can often be surpassed by European brutality.

France, we have the firm hope, will soon become aware of the situation and will know, as a civilized people, how to turn it to her glory.

Benito Sylvain

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News & Rumours
Reverend Father Dorgère, of the Congregation of African Missions, provisional chaplain of the expeditionary force in Dahomey, is appointed Knight of the Legion of Honor (for exceptional service: mission in Dahomey).

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It seems that Cleopatra, Sardou's new play, currently in rehearsals at the Porte-St-Martin, has already been parodied. The Théâtre Déjazet has announced that it will be staging Cleopatra of Italy, by Jules Jouy and Georges Rolle.

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General de Kaltemborn has been appointed Minister of War of the German Empire, replacing General Verdy du Vernois, who has resigned.

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At the request of the French government, the Vatican has just established an apostolic vicariate for the Oubangui mission in the Congo.

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The publication of a previously unpublished novel by Alphonse Karr has been announced, reportedly titled Helene. It is said to be one of the most intriguing and original works to come from the pen of this writer.

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Vienna, 9 October — A committee has been formed to organize a universal exposition in Vienna in 1895.

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Admiral de Cuverville was authorized to send back to France the marine infantry and riflemen who were stationed in Kotonou and Porto-Novo.

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Cardinal Lavigerie arrived in Rome on the 9th and was received the following day by the pope, with whom he had a long conference.

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At a recent convention of ten thousand believers held in Salt Lake City, the Mormons abolished one of their sect's most famous dogmas: polygamy. The United States, it seems, was determined to use force if the Mormons did not repeal this Mohammedan article of their civil and religious code. They gave in to threats of force, calling on God for this supreme insult that kills them morally, as a people apart.

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The German textile industry has been severely affected by the McKinley Tariff Act. Many textile workers are out of work.

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The Anglo-Italian negotiations on the African question have failed to reach a conclusion. This fact, considered a painful setback for Italian diplomacy, has caused deep emotion in Rome.

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All the Paris newspapers had announced that, on the occasion of Lamartine's centenary, which the city of Mâcon is to celebrate with great pomp on October 18, the artists of the Comédie-Française would perform an act from Toussaint Louverture, the only play written by Lamartine.

This idea has been abandoned. It is difficult, in fact, for the artists of the Français to study a play that is only to be performed once.

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At an initial meeting held last Saturday, the 10th, the founders of the American Students in Paris club drafted and voted on the organization's bylaws. The undertaking is much smaller than we had thought; almost all of the members are students of Spanish origin. It will be a small, exclusive club, and its official language will be Spanish.

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The international artistic and literary congress, which we announced some time ago, will be held on the 6th at Mansion House, under the chairmanship of Mr. Ratisbonne.

An amendment to the Berne Convention was adopted by acclamation, stating that translation is merely a form of reproduction, and that the right of reproduction, which constitutes property, necessarily includes the exclusive right of translation.

It was decided that newspaper articles—except for political articles and information items—would be treated in the same way as other literary works.

The next Congress will take place in Berlin.

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A mass will be celebrated on October 16, at 10:30 a.m., at the Madeleine Church, for Marie-Antoinelle's birthday.

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Obituary:
Mistress Catherine Booth, wife of the founder of the Salvation Army, died on the 7th in England from cancer, which had been afflicting her for some time.

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Peace in Dahomey At three o'clock on Saturday afternoon, Admiral de Cuverville telegraphed the Minister of the Navy to inform him that peace has been concluded with the king of Dahomey. The blockade is lifted; the arrangement, which was signed subject to the approval of the French government, stipulates that the possession of Kotounou and the protectorate of Porto-Novo will henceforth be respected and all previous treaties will remain in effect.

Since the return of the members, the government will propose the ratification of the treaty, which was only inspired by the instructions [illegible] of the commander in chief.

The events gave reason to the Minister of the Navy, Mr. Barbey, who constantly sent instructions to Admiral de Cuveverville tending toward a peaceful conclusion, and who, also recently, telegraphed him, saying: "No blood spilled uselessly; patiently wait to arrive at an arrangement that conforms to the dignity of the French flag and to the wishes of Parliament."

The newspaper La Lanterne, twice named, that shines by its scepticism—and also by other things, no doubt, since that would not be enough to keep it burning—said about this peace:
From the moment that peace was concluded, we've been at war.

It seems that according to the terms set in the Constitution, the government of the Republic cannot declare war without the prior consent of the two Chambers.

One may have some doubts if one refers to the decree recently issued by M. de Cuvevrville to prohibit, in Dahomey, the sending of all private dispatches not bearing his initials.

Such measures are more in keeping with war than with peace.

Before congratulating ourselves for the pacification of Dahomey, we should wait for this problematic peace treaty to be presented to the Chambers.
Le Figaro also expressed its astonishment at this declaration of war made without the approval of the Chambers, and the treaty mission that was confided to an unofficial, Father Dogère. This newspaper says conclusively:
The moral of this story is that you can always stop before going on a colonial expedition and that if it were not for a few people who shouted their heads off against all expeditions, we we currently have a war in a country that we declare swampy, harmful and useless, but that six months earlier, when we wanted to launch the expedition, was healthy, fertile and necessary.
And it is thus that have always been launched—for the love of colonial glory—expeditions that cost hundred of millions and thousands of human lives!

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