, 1877-09-23
WASHBf.jRNE.

| a Correspondent Has q Talk with the Ex
| Minister French Affairs.
| Special Dtfpatca 10 The Chicago Tribune
New YoRk, Sept. 222.-Ex-Ministcr Wash
burnc, accompanied By his vile and daughters
scfr this city tonight for his home In GaIcna
In regard to the recent manifesto Of Marsha
aiacMahou, Mr. Washburne said to rep
| resentatiye Of the 1!orkI: alt must
| have intensified the feeling throughout France
| and, taken together with the Imprisonment
OF Gambctta, think it will add greatly to the
excitement which was prevalent at the time
left Tie position that occupied towards the
French Government. where my relations have
always been very friendly under all Of the five
forms Of government which existed during the
eight years of my residence in France, disin-
clines me to make any special comments upon
the political contest now SO unhapplY raging in
that country.''
As to tue result OF the impending election
Alr. Washburne said: * It is impossible for Inc
to give q Judgment Of my own, but In the last
conversation ! had with NJ. Theirs that great
statesman, who knew France better than any
man living, assured me that the Republicans,
instead Of eleetiug the 3t3 former Deputies,
would elect the whole 400. In n very recent
conversation which I mad with Ganbetta
be expressed the same opinion. On
the other hand the Government party expressed
the hope Of success, or any rate they profeseed
to believe that they could reduce the Republican
strength SO muvh that the moderate Left would
hold the balance Of power, which would curb
any Republican majority that might b. elected"
the effect OF an Overwhelming defeat Of the
Republicans of the Government party?"
Mr.. Washburne replied: ssNo one can
foretell- hare lived long enough in France to
understand that it is extremely unsafe to ven
ture any predictions as to future political
cyents.''
As to the effect Of the confirmation of the
higher court Of the sentence on Gambetta, Mr..
Washburne made the same answer. adding,
tsLet us hope that tue effect will not be what
many people in France well see cause to fear"
Mr.. Washhurne is of opinion that n, jules
Grew will assume the leadership of the Repub-
tican party, and describes him as an able aud
honest inur, and an original and sincere Repu',-
!lcan. man in whom the country has, very
justly, great confidence.
Mr. Nashburne said it was true that he had
helped to d!ssuade Gen. Grant from visiting
Paris and he had done SO because there the feel
ing against the Government is extremely bitter,
and it was feared TINT any such demonstration
ns Gen. Grants visit would have given rise to
might be made the excuse for such an out
break as is feared to he inevitable sooner or
later. 1n his opinion the danger OF the present
crisis has not been commonly exaggerated. The
crisis exists, aud will not end without very
severe settlement.
Air. Washburnc described the general condi-
tiop OF France as prosperous in the extreme
The crops this year were usually abuu-
dant. This is especially true of the
vine crop: which gives promise to
crop equal to that of 1865,
The working classes: too, are generally we'll of,
Commerce nourishes, aud the only one cause OF
universal dread and anxiety is the black politi-
cal shadow which darkens the otherwise cloud
less horizon Of the most beautiful Of European
lands.