The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-23 00:00:00

11. CLEMENCEAIJ IN LOTIDON.

Since his arrival in London, M. Clemenceau has
lost no time in fulfilling the object of his visit,
namely, personal inquiry into the social and political
condition of the working classes of this country. The
mission is rendered comparatively easy from the wide
knowledge whith he already possesses of the many
side issues involved in such a general purpose, and
tam his fluency in speaking our language.
ley invitation of Mr. T. B. Potter, M.P.,, M. Cle-
rneeceau, accompanied by Admiral Meese, was
prtsent at the weekly committee meeting of the
Cobden Club on Saturday, where the ordinary business
of the committee was suspended for upwards of an
houf, the members of the committee engaging in a
very interesting conversation with M. Clemenceau on
matters connected with his misson to England and
on eolitical and social questions in France and in this
ccuntry.
In the course of the conversation M. Cl6mencsan
observed there was this noteworthy difference between
political progress in France and in England—that
England, while apparently steadfast, is always moving
on and modifying in a progressive sense its political
and social institutions; while France, though having
frequent revolutions was living on under almost pre-
cisely the political institutions of nearly ahundred years
ago. Centralisation was now at such a pitch in France
thet it was absolutely impossible that it should be in.
tensified. Theoretically there might be a large number
of French politicians and statesmen in favour of pro.
pees in the sense of decentralisation, but practically
statesmen and administrators shrink from depriving
themselves of the power which centralization places in
their hands. The provinces are, so to speak, a great
force at the command of political and official adminis.
tration. Gambetta changed from an advocate of
decentralization to an upholder of centralization,
probably through the intieence upon him of the
centralising tendency in the great body of his own
supporters. In illustration of the system of same
sive centralization, M. Cldmenceau observed that
even the fire engines were under command of the War
Office ; there was really no local management or
organization of the brigades ; the firemen carried guns,
and if guns could extinguish fires, there would not be
much mischief done by conflagrations. There was a
time when France was far better off than now in local
institutions; but Napoleon I. killed them, and there
had been not yet the slightest resurrection. Turning to
ecciesiestical questions, in reply to inquiriee, M.
Cleoaenceau said he was in favour of diseatablishment ;
but the question was surrounded with difficulties,
because the Church is not only a religions but a
Political institution, and is treated as a political quer
tion by both sides. Some comment being made on
the breaking up of the religious corporations and the
expatriation of the members by the French Govern-
ment, M. Cl4menceau stated that he had been
oppcsed to that act of the Government, and had
been one of the few in his own section who had voted
against it. He agreed that it was a policy likely
to be followed by reaction in favour of the Church,
and he confessed he had been surprised that there
was practically no reaction, which seemed to show
that the hold of the Church upon the nation was
less than most people believed. Yet the giving
of money to the Church by rich people was increas-
ing. In answer to Mr. Rylands, M. Clemenceau
said there were mortmain restrictions in France, but
they were wholly evaded. He gave some very
interesting information as to the present condition of
the French peasantry. They all save; they all live
very abstemiously and economically; but there la
some improvement in their mode of living. They do
not eat black bread or buckwheat any more. The
rich bourgeoisie and the nobles are constantly selling
land, and the peasantry are always buying it. M. Cl -
menceau is net in favour of the English poor-law
system for France. There is no need for systematic
relief outside the cities, The peasantry do not most.
gage their land—the great legal coat of the proce,as
alone would prevent it.
After the meeting M. Cl4-aencean, who has been
granted the privileges of the Reform Club during his
stay, was shown through the club by Mr. Potter, and
bad conversations with Mr. Forster, M.P., and other
members.