, 1880-01-28


any political arrangements which may be
satisfactory to the Parliamentary majority
in France. the sgents and the spokesmen
Of the French people. But in France.
even more than IN other countries. domes.
tic policy and foreign policy are inextrica-
bly, interviewer, and Europe is deeply in.
terested in learning how far, if at all, the
change of Ministry in Paris will modify
the character of French diplomacy. The
resignation Of NJ. Washington mas been
received with suspicion, and almost with
irritation, at Berlin ; and those feelings
have not been lesscned by tAe retirement
of the Comte de ST. Vellier, the French
Ambassador in Germany. Even in capt.
tails where there is less reason for, anxiety
respecting the maintenance Of European
peace the merging of the known IN tho
unknown could not be regarded with l-
difference. No statesman can afford TO
forget that we are separated by q period
of nine years only from the catastrophe OF
1901, and it would be the most peril
Gus optimism to ignore the moral results
of that momentous crisis. Germany Is
ever on the watch against the 1tranche
which is believed to be the dream OF france.
1t was the aim of M. Waddiugton's d'pio'
macy to clay TIE uneaslness OF europe
without compromising the digultywb' his
country or surrenderlDg It's freedom OF
action. To this task be succeeded, what
ever ungenerous or Inscriptions desrac.
ton may pretend now that ..be has retired
from office. NJ. he Freycinet VIII haVo
in the first place to convince toreign oun
tries that ho IL faithful 20 the sr'ft'H
not to the letter, OF NJ. Wadd'ngtons pom
cy in foreign affairs. The new Minister Is
not bound to adopt every word AID act oil
his former colleagues. but itwillbe o SER.
Gus matter if he should display a different
temper from that whichM Waddington ln-
fused toto French diplomacy. France mas
been remarkable in recent years, ana es'
pecially throughout the Eastern Crisis ior
moderation and caution. Asudden change OF
tone would be startliDgand dlsquletlng' we
do not believe that there ever were lever
Frepchmen who desired to break the peaceot
the Continent or to face the hazards OF
q provocative policy, though there may be
many who look forward to the political
combinations of the future as sure TO give
them their long-expected opportunity M
dc Freycinet, we imagine, knows very
we'll that a policy of rash diplomatic ad'
ventures would not at the present time be
either popular or safe. If he is well con-
WINGED of this himself, it is his interest rs
we'll as his duty to impress the CONVICTION
upon the French people and upon foreign
nations. On this point all who wish 10
provide securities for the peace OF Europe
have a right to express tnalr opinions
frankly. In dealing with ths domestic
affairs Of France it is rot so easy TO speak
with decision. We have expressed our
regret that it has not been found possible
TO retain NJ. Waddington as Minister OF
Foreign Affairs. if not as Premier; but 1t
may be that the exigencies OF party COM
binations In the Chamber Of Deputies have
made it necessary to surrender to me
Advanced Left the share of power prevl-
ously conceded ITO the Left Centre. M.
Waddiugton and II. Leon Say would
possibly, ::have been willing to remain
members of q Cabinet to which one or
two members of the Advanced Lett were
admitted. The Advanced left, however,
refused to enter into q political partner
ship with the left Centre aud the latter.
being bs far the weaker. party 10 the
Chamber, retreated before the pretenslons
of their rivals. tits announced, vaguely, and
obseurely, that the policy Of the Cabinet
will be- brought into accord Wstn y.ns
views Of the Advanced Left; but a WI.
= 81 81 u 49, >ok kh0k