New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-30
PARIS POLITICAL TOPICS.
THE TONQUIN CREDIT-"UNSER FRITZ IN
ROME.

TPRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE 1RIBUNEl
PARIS December IA.
There was q stirring and important debate in the
Chamber, which began on Friday and ended on last
Monday. Everybody apprehended vote which
would oblige the Cabinet TO retire. Even the
friends of the Ministry did not dare to justify the
military and diplomatic actiO of the Government
in Tonqun and at Pekin. The person who saved
NJ. Ferry from defeat was NJ. Ribot husband of the
late Mr.. Isaac Burch's daughter. And he effected
this object by demonstrating that NJ Ferry was mp
TO the chin by his own fault in the mud of the Red
River Delta. He had got things there into such
mess and muddle that he ought to be made TO set
them right again. NJ. RibOt was for many years in
the indicature branch of the civil service. Were II
not for the twist which his practice law officer
gave his mind he would be one of the best speakers
in the Chamber But he must look at things from
the standpoint of French public prosecutor, who
would rather that thousand innocent men perish
than that a single criminal escape unchastised His
way of chasising the Prime Minister was TO oblige
him 20 pull through the difficulties he mas got en-
tangled IN and TO drag the mudemheddcd car OF
State after him. The logical pcrOration of NJ.
Ribot's speech should have been: Turn him out
forthwith, ana try TO get some better man to take
his place At any rate try TO indicate by your vote
that you want a Cabinet which will turn over new
leaf IL will be the Presidents business to get one
together"
But no. After castigating NJ. Ferry, NJ RibOt in
substance told the majority that TO punish him for
his sins they should 60 on with him. NJ. Clemenccau
laid bare this falacy. NJ Ribot. when driven into
corner, asked him whether he would like TO be the
successor of NJ Ferry; and if not TO say whether nc
believed that any foremost Deputy would not. If
asked to step into his shoes recoil from doing So
This question decided the vote, which was not one
of confidence although at the first blush 1t seemed
10 be moral triumph for the Cabinet and especially
for its chief The majority was careful not to let
the word confidence be inserted in the order of
the day that was accepted by it and proposed by NJ.
Paul Bert. NJ. Ferry maneuvred Il good deal in the
lobby. His speech highly characteristic. IL
was clever but not remarkable for skill in special
pleading as for plenty of fight" CO." and bras"
ali valuable qualities in addressing a body Of IT.
resoute bourgeois too ignorant of Asiatic affairs OF
even Of geography TO have distinct idea Of what
should be done either at Hanoi, Hue, or Pekin. NJ.
Ferry trusting TO their ignorance, begged questions
of the greatest importance and advanced assertions
which fell TO pieces when subjected TO newspaper
criticism suggested by the Chinese Embassy.
People are greatly exercised here about the visit
of the German Crown Prince 10 Rome. 1t is per-
haps a stone meant to knock down many birds
There is q rumor that information had been received
by Prince Bismarck TO the effect that Italy intended
to sip away from Germany If France yielded 10 her III
Tunis and gave back II part Of Savoy. Italian
statesmen are as hard 20 hold as cells, and they do
not allow themselves to be governed by sentimental
considerations. Hitherto they have been very sue
cessful in getting other Powers TO draw their chest
nuts out Of the fire. The Pope is advised by the
Jesuts to receive the olive branch which Germany
holds out. The Jesuits have established missions
and schools in Armenia, Asia Minor and Upper
SYRIA Were that territory TO be allotted In the
NEXT cuttinR-up of Turkey TO the Germans, they
conld make it too hot 10 hold the Jesuits and en-
courage their American rivals at Beyrout and other
parts Of Syria and Asia Minor.