New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-12
NEW TENDENCIES IN FRANCE.

The mercurial temperament of Frenchmen is
not affected by any changes in political govern
ment. Under the Republic as under the En-
pire there ar. sudden transitions in public sem
timent, and it is never safe to affirm that Min
listers or Deputies are sustained by the deliber-
ate judgment of the country. AS the Tunisan
expedition had beel indirectly sanctioned by
The constituencies in general election, GAM
BETA was apparently justified in adopting dur
ing his Premiership strong policy in foreign
affairs, and especially in Egypt, where the
French peasantry had originally invested their
savings in the Suez Canal, not only for sordid
reasons, but also to add to the prestige OF the
nation. Suddenly a change came over the
spirit of the people. Gambetta was considered
rash and impetuous and there were unmistak-
able signs that more cautious and prudent
Ministry was desired by the constituencies.
The Egyptian crisis came, and the Deputies lent
n willing ear to NJ. Clemenceau's defence of the
policy Of abstenton They were surprised to
find how cOgent an argument In favor OF tue
pacific destiny of republics could be offered,
and they voted down the war estin ates almost
with one accord, apparently convinced that
they were expressing the enlightened judg-
ment of French democracy. That was only a
year ago, but the policy of the country has
again been completely reversed. Votes of
credit are easily carried for expeditions to Mad
agascar, the lower Congo and Tonquin, and
warlike preparations OH large scale are made
with the approval of the Legislature, the press
and the people. Timidty and caution nave
given place to restlessness and recklessness.
There ia a sudden frenzy for displaying the
national resources and acquiring new colonies
and territorial possessions. NJ. Clemenceau
does not venture to repeat his fine phrases on
the nfamy of war, the pacific aims OF industrial
republics, and the enlightened conscience OF
democracies. Public opinion has veercd from
one extreme in external policy to the other.
The effect cannot be disputed, albeit the causes
may be inexplicable and the duration of the
present conditions purely matter of conjec-
ture.
The fact that the conquest of TonquiD, in
volving a most serious risk of costly and I'M
profitable war with China, should have been
sanctioned by majorities in the Chambers as
overwhelming as those which twelvemonth
ago repudiated joint action with England in
Egypt, is a curious revelation of the caprcious-
ness of public opinion in France. IL is not easy
to explain why a country which voluntarily
abandoned the Isthmus and Cairo, where ii had
momentous interests at stake mas entered so
negligently and thoughtlessy upon n career OF
conquest in quarter Of the world where it has
so little to gain as in AMMAN and Tonquin. IL
may be said that vanity is national char
acteristic, which has survived the overthrow OF
the Empire aud the political reconstruction of
the last decade, and that FreDchmen are irri-
tated to find themselves of little account In
European diplomacy, and willing for that reason
to display unwOnted activity in extending their
colonial possessions. 1t may be- urged that the
loss sustained in the death Of Gambetta,
its foremost and typical citizen, is now fully APP
preciated by the country, and that schemes anu
enterprises which were condemned during his
lifetime are now deliberately approved. IL
may be contended that France being isolated
and deprived of her legitimate infuencelin
Europe must either remain IN ign0ble inaction
or enter into rivalry with Great Britain for
commercial supremacy. These and similar ex-
plantations cannot be seriously considered so
long rs doubts are entertained respecting the
permanence and reality of the present tendon
cies If this last transition Of foreign policy be
grounded upon national convictions, 1t will be
one of the most significant movements OF con-
temporaneous history. If it be momentaIy
caprice. swaying the imagination OF the people
for n season and giving place in the end to
caution, reserve and common prudence, 1t will
be another indication that race traits have
survived cycles Of change and progress.