Paris, 12th December.
The Chamber has commenced the di-cus-sion of the colonial budget, Mr. Decrais said the Government was considering the question of the defence of the colonies and that a comprehensive plan would be presented to the Chamber. He said it was necessary to bring to an end the period of expansion and of military expeditions and to think about developing the colonies.
He referred to the excellent financial situation of Indo-China and defended the form in which the railway construction contracts had been let, The colonial budget was adopted, except the rmllitary. votes, which mere postrned, on the motion of Mf. Guillain, notwith-Standing' the observations of the reporter and of Me. Caillnax, until the Government has settled the plan of defence works mentioned by the Colonial Minister.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.