Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-01-20
The Situation in Franco.

The struggle between monaTchical and anti
monarchical tendencies, which threatens TO
make Continental Europe Its battle field, has
appeared until recently only in its mildeS,
forms In France. The legislative halls have
been the vents of dissatisfaction on either side.
and the moderation of the republican parties
under circumstances which would tempt them
ID extend their power has seemed to allay all
'icarS OF exCltable France that there would be
danger 10 the nation when authority should
finally pass into their hands The republic has
radllally learned to believe that its immediate
1riI is from monarchical, and not from social
iStic tendencies. The present crisis reopens
the question, and France is asking whether the
same pushing to extremes which replaced La
fayette by Danton, Danton by RObespierre. and
then caused reaction, IS about 10 make the re-
publicans more dangerous than the opposing
parties. The republicans, after the verdict
s'ven in their favor by the recent senatorial
q ecttens. pronounce unacceptable the mniSte-
al programme which fails TO promise the ex-
pected changes in military appointments. The
'7urement OF the republicans, that the minis
IT, OF war and the commanders of the
my COPS In and near Paris should be in
.yrathy with them. is not unreasonable
.tnCh history has shown that without this
protection the republic is not safe. The only
difficulty in the matter is that OF finding ey-
nil the vacancies; as nearly all have been train
ed and received promotion and reward under
monarch. But the republicans will have to be
responsible for the appointments, and the fact
that obstacles lie in the way OF making them
does not affect the abstract justice of the re-
publican claim. The agitation arises then not
from any startling demand on the part of the
republicans, but from the prospect that the
ministry having failed to promise the expected
changes IS likely TO be Oyerthrown and i'm such
event MacMahOn is said TO have threatened
that he viii resign. 1t viii be hard. moreover.
10 construct cabinet which win command the
Stme support from all parties as the present one
las obtained. III MacMahon should continue
10 hold Office In case of the resignation of Du
faure, his personal dislike Of Gambetta makes
III unlikely that he would call upon Gambptta
ID form ministry, and personal considerations
iake IL unlikely that Gambetta would accept.
q -:-''h a call were made upon him. He aims TO
e president. To take Office by replacing the
'"faure cabinet would ALLEVIATE the moderate
'f'rais- Thus success in forming a ministry
H''1 hurt his chances for the presidency and
luIe. by no means unlikely contingency
..nder the circumstances. would ba likewise in,
FURIOUS II one may Judge b. what bappened
al the last crtSis" In French politics. the result
OF the present agitation viii be the formation
OF new cabinet, not headed By Gambetta. but
more IN harmony with the republican majority.
ana the acceptance by MacMahon OF the turn
affairs have taken. II the Dufaure cabinet |
could be induced to modify its programme and !
hoid o1nce, the matter would be happily settled !
IN either case 1t does not seem that France has |
any present occasion to be frightened at the /
republicans