The storm in London inevitably flooded into France.
Several astute Parisian newspapers quickly reprinted reports on the controversy surrounding The Sign of Four, especially the news of the fierce protests by the Indian elites.
This immediately became the new topic of discussion in Parisian salons and cafés.
One afternoon, several reporters, armed with clippings from British newspapers, intercepted Lionel at the entrance of his apartment at 117 Boulevard Saint-Germain as he returned home.
They eagerly handed the clippings for him to look through.
A reporter from Le Petit Journal was the first to pose his question:
"Mr. Sorel, the Indian gentlemen seem extremely angry with you, claiming you have defiled their 'order' and 'civilization.' What is your response?"
Lionel glanced at the reports, his expression showing no sign of anger. He asked calmly:
"So, they believe that India is merely a jewel set in the Queen's crown, but can never be the crown itself, is that right?"
This simple sentence, though delivered lightly, was sharper than a freshly ground blade!
The reporters were momentarily stunned, then a flicker of excitement lit up their eyes.
They realized that this brief response had more devastating impact and greater potential for dissemination than any lengthy rebuttal.
They hastily jotted down the sentence in their notebooks before moving on to other questions...
The next day, Le Petit Journal published the related report with a prominent headline.
The article detailed the controversy in London, specifically highlighting Lionel's sharp rhetorical question.
This metaphorical comment quickly spread through the Parisian media.
Almost all major French newspapers joined the discussion.
Le Figaro praised Lionel:
["With the acuity of a man of letters, he exposed the fact that the British simultaneously plunder and oppress India while wearing the hypocritical mask of 'civilization' and 'order.'"]
Le Temps commented:
["Mr. Sorel's work and his subsequent statement have allowed us a glimpse of the bloody truth beneath the British Empire's colonial rule."]
For a time, the Parisian public opinion leaned overwhelmingly in Lionel's favor, showering him with praise while railing against British colonial policy.
However, the purpose of the French media's criticism of British colonial brutality and hypocrisy was merely to prove that France's own colonial methods were more "superior" and "civilized."
Just as Lionel's "jewel and crown" comment was fermenting in Paris, French Prime Minister Jules Ferry delivered a crucial speech in the Chamber of Deputies.
He skillfully leveraged the current wave of public criticism against British colonial actions to defend his own colonial policy.
On the rostrum of the Chamber, Ferry, with his characteristic eloquence and confidence, expounded his philosophy:
"Gentlemen!
The recent literary discussions and shifts in public opinion have made us see more clearly that colonial policy is not a simple path.
It requires the correct ideology as guidance!
The colonial actions of certain nations have exposed their naked essence of plunder—this serves as a warning bell for us!
But this absolutely does not mean we should abandon our great civilizing mission!
We must face a reality—the superior race has an obligation towards the inferior race!
An obligation to truly 'civilize' them!
Yes, gentlemen, an obligation!
An undeniable responsibility of the higher race!
To bring reason, science, and progress to unenlightened peoples!"
The Chamber erupted in enthusiastic applause, with some shouting:
"This is preaching crime!"
But Jules Ferry was unmoved; he portrayed France as a higher, more responsible colonizer:
"And we, France, are precisely the best candidates to fulfill this civilizing obligation!
Our Republican spirit, our universal values, destine us to be able and obligated to undertake this great task!
We are not plundering; we are spreading the seeds of civilization!"
He then pivoted the topic to concrete actions and budget requests:
"It is based on this lofty and urgent mission that I implore the Chamber to quickly pass the supplementary military expenditure of 2.5 million francs for Indochina, especially the Tonkin region in Northern Vietnam!
This funding is crucial for a necessary expedition we must undertake in the Red River basin!
We must eliminate those Chinese pirates who harass trade and threaten safety!
We will bring true order and peace to the local populace!
This is not only necessary to safeguard our interests in the Far East but is also key to France fulfilling its own civilizing duty!"
Jules Ferry's speech, and the subsequent reports and commentary in all the major newspapers, struck Lionel like a heavy club.
As he read the related reports at his breakfast table, his gaze froze.
"Superior race," "inferior race," "civilizing obligation"... Lionel almost laughed in anger.
The French media were condemning British colonial atrocities while simultaneously cheering on French military action in Vietnam.
He had hoped that the discussion he ignited with The Sign of Four would at least cause some people, including the French, to reflect on the fundamental problems of colonialism itself.
Yet, what he witnessed was an even more refined and hypocritical performance!
The British hypocrisy was exposed, and the French immediately jumped in to declare themselves the true executors of the "civilizing mission."
They even glossed over their own acts of plunder as a "noble obligation."
They criticized British brutality not out of justice, but to prove that they were more "enlightened" and more "qualified" to rule colonially!
This was even more nauseating than naked plunder!
But Lionel knew that Jules Ferry's viewpoint represented the true sentiment within the hearts of many French people at the time.
Even the self-proclaimed kind and rational French intellectuals mostly only opposed "colonial atrocities" but did not object to colonial expansion itself.
A strong urge welled up in Lionel; he wanted to expose the shamelessness and absurdity of this mindset—a crime is criticized only because another, supposedly more "civilized" crime wants to take its place.
After breakfast, he canceled other appointments, sat down at his typewriter, and began to strike the keys.
Although he knew that in this era of surging global colonial expansion, awakening people to the essential nature of colonialism was incredibly difficult, he could not remain silent; he had to respond.
He could not accept this "civilizing mission" built upon racial superiority and armed conquest, whether it came from London or Paris.
Even if it meant making enemies of many in France, even angering Jules Ferry and breaking with the "Moderate Republicans"...
However, before Lionel could finish writing his article, someone beat him to it, launching a fierce attack on Jules Ferry and his "theory of racial superiority."
The intensity of the assault left Lionel speechless...
(End of Chapter)