Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-05-27
WASHINGTON CITY:
France and the New Presiaens.

Marshal Mcmahon, the new President of
France, elevated by a combination of the Lee
gitimists, Orleanists, and Bonapartists in the
National Assembly, il more OF a soldier than
statesman. Hiswhole life from his youth has
been spent in the military service of that coun-
try. in which service he has frequently distin-
yuished himself, not less by his skill than by
his personal heroism. As a soldier he did GAL
liant service in Algeria, and in the siege Of Aut-
werp, in the war for the liberation OF Belgium
In the Crimean war Re distinguished himself
at the storming Of the Malakof, and also in the
sanguinary Italian battles OF Magenta and Sol
ferino, the former OF which yielded him the title
of Duke Of Magenta The personal friend and
fayorite general Of Napoleon Ill, and a sue
eessful soldier, brilliant achievements were ex-
Fected OF him in the FTaacO-Prussian war. But
he, like the other French leaders, went down
before the superior forces OF the German EN-
pire, and his defeat at Woerth and subsequent
surrender at Sedan, the Waterloo OF his impe-
rial master, Napoleon ILL.,. were mainly due to
tie decentralization which had long existed in
the ranks of his army, and to a lack of ability
on the part Of the commanding general-Pa-
Hkao.
Aswe have stated, McMahon has never fig
ured a. a politician, but in all of the changes
which have befallen France he has accepted
the dominant regime and obeyed orders like a
soldier. On account Of his personal friendship
for the late Emperor he was looked upon with
suspicion after the downfall Of Napoleon, and
for his services In the war against the commu-
mist insurgents OF Paris he of course became
unpopular with the latter, but as an Offset won
The admiration of the conservatives. The op-
POSITION doubtless fixed upon him as the sue
cessor OF d. Theirs because, on account OF his
conservatism in politics, he was the only man
on whom the anti-republican members Of the
National Assembly could unite. HIS natural
timidity As politician is shown i'm his address
TO the Assembly, in which he promises TO i'm
plicitly obey their instructions.
The tendency of the new government is, how
ever, seen more in the new cabinet appoint
ments than in the election OF q president. The
Duke de Broglie, who heads the ministry, is
known to be rampant Bonapartist, while
Pierre Magne and General De Cissey are also
said to be strong monsrchists.
1t Is difficult te the final phase of the tran
sition state through which France is now pass
Ing. The republican element in Paris is lust
now too strong to Justify the dominant party in
any open movement looking to the reestablish-
nent of a monarchy, but that the latter form of
government is their ultimate object there L.
good reason to believe. The strong republican
minority, headed by the aged but belligerent
dEieIs, who has taken his 81 at in the assembly
as their leader, still constitute strong element
In that body, and are eagerly watching every
lew move OF the majority. 1t the latter are
wise, they will not seek to make any radical
Change in the policy Of the government at pres
ent. An attempt to DO 50 under existing cir
eunstances would undoubtedly add one more
TO the long list Of bloody French revolutions.