Final answer:
France had mixed reactions to Belgium taking control of the Congo, with concerns about encroachment and also justification for their own colonial ambitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
France had mixed reactions when Belgium took control of the Congo. On one hand, France was concerned about the expansion of Belgian influence in Central Africa, as it threatened French interests in the region. France had already established colonies in nearby areas and saw Belgium's acquisition of the Congo as encroaching on their territory.
On the other hand, France had also recently acquired colonies in West Africa, and they were able to use this opportunity to justify their own acquisitions to their citizens and other European powers. Overall, while there may have been some initial apprehension, France's response to Belgium taking control of the Congo was a mix of concern and justification for their own colonial ambitions.