New-York tribune., 1878-03-16
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.
THE MINISTRY STILL. IN DANGER.

| iuC DANOth
RoYAfIsr PLorrERs BUSY = ANTI REPUBLICAN
OFFICERS PROM0TED-THE ARMY EXPECTED TO
AID THE CoNsPIRAToRs.
FRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBuSEl
PARIS, Feb. 27.-Never. since the opening of the
terrible period of the 10th May" of last year.
has the situation here been complicated, or, l
might say so near becoming dangerous. One thing
only has just happened which will, however. proba-
bly, diminish the acuteness of the danger-and that
is the Papal election. Cardinal Peccis election has
surprised every one For the moment the disap-
pontment of the clericals is extreme, while tho
liberal Catholics are pleased. Last evening, at the
concert given by the Minister of Public Instruc-
ton, the latter expressed the greatest satis-
faction. My opinion that this content
ment will be only short lived for do not believe
in the possibility of new Pope-however LIBERAL
minded he may be-receding in any marked degree
from the position taken up by Pic Mono. / think it
will be found that matters have gone too far for
that but for the moment there is doubt that the
unexpected election of Cardinal Pecci has been o
disappointment to the French clercals, and Mon
signor Segur their chief inspirer) has not lost one
instant in trying to propitatc the new Pontiff by
sending him 1000, 900 francs present from the
EpIscopacy of France
But now, to revert to the influence on
French secular policy. The Brogle-Bufet fac
ming to lose heart as far as the Marshal is con-
cerned, but it is still believed that a convenient
conflict between the Senate and the Chamber may
be provoked. There lies the reason for the Sena-
torial vote of Tuesday. In view of fresh dssolu-
tion which the Right ardently desires, the
tonsts rejoced at being able to prevent the choice
of Victor LIE Franc, although five successive
ballots required to elect Carazon La
tour. who had only majority of one.
In consequence of the differences arising from
this election the Orleanists or "Constutionalsts"
of the Senate no longer exist, and the majority.
small as il is, may be fairly regarded as made up Of
the BonaparteRoyalist faction, whereof the binding
link is Ultramontansm. This party. containing
whatever is most hateful TO the French Nation,
hopes for a dissolution and is trying to bring it
about. The only imaginable means within their
power is to provoke a conflict with the Chamber.
Accordingly, the two laws of the state
Of seige and of the press amnesty are
to be made the first bones of contention.
and lready amendments have been introduced that
would render both valuoless. Had all these prOtec-
tive laws against the Executive been proposed in the
first fortnight of the Few year all would have been
voted at once. and not a chance would have re-
NAMED 10 the MOnarchsts for any future plots. As
it is, they have now begun their web-spnnng. and
they will now do their worst. The Papa election
has. for the moment, grievOusly annoyed them;
and one phrase III the German Chancellor's speech
is a home thrust, from which they will not easily
recover. Prince Bsmarck's phrase is-when speak
ing of the friendship" of Germany with all the
powers of Europe-tat he can safely say all"
seeing that it is only to the parties hostile to
their country's Government that Germany Is "a
thorn in the side" This phrase strikes cruelty
home that not one reactIonary newspaper has men,
tened it, and it is not alluded TO III the draw
ing-room conversations OF right thinking
persons
Bnt what Is really worth watching, and watching
narrowly, Is the taoit union between the clergy,
the army the Right of the Senate, and the anti
Republican portions of so-called society" This.
and other signs, indicate that mischief is brewing.
The army s this time, the branch of the public
vice by which the pOters have thought fit to begin
their manpuyres. One two accomplished
facts speak volumes for the intentions and ten
denotes OF the disaiected. The first took place two
months ago, and, except in some military circles
il has renamed EnnOtced. A certain Gener Of
Brigade, NJ. de COurcy, a violent lmperialist, be-
longingto the clique of the Empire, sent To the
Russian camp in the beginning of the Eastern War.
aud so surprised and scandalzed foreigners by his
more than abusive language toward the republic
that several leading foreign newspapers alluded to
il NJ length, and in measured terms Of blame.
Two months ago this young General OF Brigade was
placed over a DIVISION in preference to twenty-five
Brigaders all his seniors. 1t is easy to conceive the
disgust manifested thereat by officers, parrlcu-
larry as the new commander had no special claims.
Again, not a week ago General de COurcy was
named Commander of tho Corps dArnee of
Nancy. Although this caused universal dlsap-
probation ID would be incxact to say 1t provoked
alarm. But what has followed day after day since
that time leaves one without apprehension.
Three DAYS back General Rens0n, one of the most
anti.Republoan OF French generals, was placed
command of a corps in the place OF General Aymard.
At the same time time the friend and disciple of
Ducrot a certain General de MrIbe, Is Jeff in Occu-
patton at tine War Office. of the influential post
assigned hin by VI. DE ROchebOuet during his short
Ministry. Now, IN the mysterious plot for the coup
d'etat couo0cted at Limoges, the whole scheme was
IN tie hands Of General de Sartigues who COM
inanded there. and General de- Nlnbel, who is to this
hour still chief Oi the Cabinet of the Minister
of War All these different incidents are undOubt-
ediy dsnuictlng and explain the anxiety which is
felt by large portion of the ohservant here. can
myself bear witness little fact which shows the
unqualified hatred of certain part of the army 10
the present Government Happening recently to be
ia the town Of MOullns about three honrs Journey
from Paris my attention was called by "A resident
of he town TO the behavior of the General IN COM
mand We were coming out OF church, where d
military mass had been celebrated hat a gem
lenan present said 10 General Blse dld not hear,
LUt in reply he c0arseiy and Extensively denounced
the Republic. However, one TACT must bc noted,
namely. that the populations who hear such
speeches as these treat them now with contempt
instead OF anger But il any mischief Is 10 break
out here, 1t is by portion OF the army That 1t Will
be attempted