Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 334 The Duties of Superior Races!
The turmoil in London inevitably spilled over into France.

Several Parisian newspapers with a keen sense of smell quickly reprinted British reports on the controversy surrounding "The Sign of Four," especially the news of fierce protests by Indian elites.

This immediately became the new topic of conversation in Parisian salons and cafes.

One afternoon, several reporters, carrying clippings from British newspapers, stopped Lionel as he was returning home at the door of his apartment at 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain.

They eagerly handed the clippings to Lionel to look through, and a reporter from a small daily newspaper was the first to ask his question:

"Mr. Sorel, the Indian gentlemen seem extremely angry with you, claiming that you have defiled their 'order' and 'civilization.' What is your opinion?"

Lionel glanced at the reports, his face showing no sign of anger.

He asked calmly, "So they think India is just a jewel in the Queen's crown, but will never be the crown itself, right?"

These words, though seemingly casual, are sharper than a freshly sharpened knife!

The reporters were taken aback for a moment, then their eyes lit up with excitement.

They realized that this brief response was more impactful and had greater communicative value than any lengthy rebuttal.

They hastily jotted down the sentence in their notebook, then began asking other questions...

The next day, the Little Daily published a report with a prominent headline.

The article details the controversy in London and highlights Lionel's sharp rhetorical question.

This metaphorical comment quickly spread through the Parisian media.

Almost all major French newspapers joined the discussion.

Le Figaro praises Lionel:
[With the keen insight of a writer, it exposes the fact that the British, while plundering and oppressing India, simultaneously donned the hypocritical mask of 'civilization' and 'order'.]

The Times commented:
Mr. Sorel's work and subsequent statements allow us a glimpse into the bloody truth of British colonial rule.

For a time, Parisian public opinion overwhelmingly praised Lionel and condemned Britain's colonial policies.

However, the purpose of the French media's criticism of the brutality and hypocrisy of British colonialism was merely to prove that France's colonial methods were more "superior" and "civilized."

Just as Lionel's comment about "jewels and crowns" was taking hold in Paris, French Prime Minister Jules Ferry delivered a crucial speech in parliament.

He cleverly used the current wave of criticism against British colonialism to defend his own colonial policies.

On the parliamentary platform, Ferry, with his characteristic eloquence and confidence, articulated his ideas:

"Gentlemen! Recent literary discussions and public opinion trends have made it clearer to us that colonial policy is not a simple path."

It needs the right ideology as its guide! The colonial practices of some countries have exposed their naked plundering nature, which serves as a wake-up call for us!

But this absolutely does not mean we should abandon our great civilizational mission! We must face a reality.

Superior races have an obligation to inferior races! An obligation to truly 'civilize' them!

Yes, gentlemen, it is an obligation! It is the inescapable responsibility of the superior race! To bring reason, science, and progress to the ignorant people!

Loud applause erupted in the parliament, while others shouted, "This is inciting crime!"

But Jules Ferry remained unmoved, portraying France as a more sophisticated and responsible form of colonization:
"And we, France, are precisely the best candidates to fulfill this obligation of civilization!"
Our republican spirit and our universal values ​​dictate that we can and must shoulder this heavy responsibility! We are not plundering; we are spreading the flame of civilization!

He then steered the conversation toward specific actions and funding requests:

"It is precisely because of this noble and urgent mission that I urge Parliament to pass as soon as possible the additional 250 million francs in military spending for Indochina, especially the Tonkin region of Vietnam!"
This funding is crucial for our necessary expedition in the Red River region! We must rid ourselves of those Chinese pirates who harass trade and endanger our security!

We will bring true order and peace to the region! This is not only necessary to safeguard our interests in the Far East, but also crucial for France to fulfill its civilized obligations!

Jules Ferry's speech, and the subsequent reports and commentaries in major newspapers, hit Lionel hard on the head like a blunt object.

His gaze froze when he read the related report at the breakfast table.

"Superior race," "inferior race," "obligation to be civilized"... Lionel was almost laughing out of anger.

While criticizing British colonial atrocities, French media simultaneously cheered on France's military operations in Vietnam.

He originally thought that the discussion he sparked through "The Sign of Four" would at least prompt some people, including the French, to reflect on the problems of colonialism itself.

However, what he saw was an even more sophisticated and hypocritical performance!

When the hypocrisy of the British was exposed, the French eagerly jumped out and declared themselves the true executors of the "mission of civilization."

They even whitewash their plundering as a "noble duty".

Their criticism of Britain's brutality was not out of a sense of justice, but rather to prove that they were "superior" and "qualified" to carry out colonial rule!

This is even more disgusting than outright plunder!

But Lionel knew that Jules Ferri's views reflected the true thoughts of the French people at that moment.

Even among those French intellectuals who considered themselves kind and rational, most only opposed "colonial atrocities," but not colonial expansion itself.

Lionel felt a powerful urge to expose the shamelessness and absurdity of this mentality.

One kind of evil is criticized only because another evil, which considers itself more "civilized," wants to take its place.

After breakfast, he put aside other matters, sat down at the typewriter, and began typing.

Although he also knew how difficult it would be to awaken people's understanding of the true nature of colonialism in this era of global colonial expansion frenzy.

But he could not remain silent; he had to respond.

He could not accept this "civilizational mission" based on racial superiority and military conquest, whether it came from London or Paris.

Although this might make him enemies on all sides in France, and even anger Jules Ferry, causing him to break with the "moderate republicans"...

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However, before Lionel could even finish his article, someone beat him to it and launched a fierce attack on Jules Ferry and his "racial superiority theory".

The firepower was so strong that even Lionel was speechless...

(Three chapters today, extra chapters will resume tomorrow)

(End of this chapter)