New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-31
FRANCE.

In France history seems to he repeating itself.
The third Republic is apparently drifting towards
the rocks of military dictatorship and usurpation
Of power on which the second Republic was
wrecked Now, as in 1851, there is widespread
discomfort with existing institutions there is an
anoma Ions agitation in favor Of constitutional re-
vision there are warning factions Of NlOnarchlsts
Roma partists. CicricalistS and Extremists who arc
eager for revolution. and willing to work to-
petbee: and there is in General BOulanger q
political intrigucr resembling Louis Napoleon.
lie too is II n avowcd candidate for the Presidency
and Notwithstanding his failures in the Chamber
of Deputies hc is supported, as Louis Napoleon
was, by great popular constituency recruited
from The discontinued classes He affects patriotic
impulses and disclams a policy OF intrigue and
ushrpaton; but the ceasecSS play OF his own
ambitions, and the aLtaeonistc forces OF reaction,
solid revolt and greed which are behind Boulang-
ISM give warning that new revolution Will
he fraugbt with danger to France.
Two Ministries have made Intellectual attempts
10 discrcdt and disgrace General Boulanger.
When the constituencies began TO vote for him
early in the year the Tirard Government relieved
him from active duty in the army for visiting
Paris three times without permission, and subse-
ouently retired him. He enlarged at once the
scope of his political operations, and became
candidate for Deputy in two Departments, carry
ing Dordogne by majority of nearly 10000,
and Nord by $4,000 majority. In AiSne and
Aude Boulangist nominees were also elected Inc
new Deputy attended two sessions of the Chamber,
proposing on June an unrestricted revision OF
the constitution. and Oh July Il demanding the
dissolution of the national legislature. On each
occasion his demonstration against Parlamcntarism
bot ba had appiN cd
a direct mandate from the people being met with
ieers and insults and his proposals being rejected
by a vote of two TO one NJ Floquet, who had
succeeded NJ Tirard as Premier, resented a per-
sonal affront, and challenging General Boulanger
10 a duel completed his discontinue by wounding
him in the neck. Bouangism appeared for
a season to be rapidly ebbng. powerful
Radical organ deserted the cause; dissensons
broke out in the central committee an Opportun-
ist candidate was elected in the Charente, and
General Boulanger himself was defeated in the
Ardcche When the Chambers adjourned in July
a sfeedy COLLAPSE of the movement was confidently
expected On August 20 the Republican leaders
discovered that their rcjOcings had been prcma-
lurc General Boulangcr secured enormous
maiorities in the NCrd, the Somme and the
CLarente Infericure. The Conservative factions
had put themselves behind him, in the desperate
hope of profiting by the temporary establishment
of "A military despotism. Capitalists had con-
tributed Literally to his campaign fund. Popular
S,scontent had welcomed him as the evangel of
change and better times.
These triumphs of Boulangism forced NJ.
Floquet TO take up the question of constitutional
revision BY coalition between the Radicals
and Conservatives the Tirard Ministry was over
thrown on March 80, after having been seriously
weakened by rejection OF the colonial estimates
in January, and its refusal 10 sanction the lottery
loan on which VI. de LesScps had staked his
last hope OF completing the Panama Canal "
Floauet formed a Ministry with NJ Goblet III
charge of Foreign Affairs, NJ Petral at the Treas
ury, and NJ. de Frcyclnct IN the War Department.
As the Ministry represented the Raqicais mainly,
1t received notice promptly from M ferry tnat
10 could be defeated any day by coalition
between the Opportunists ana Conservatives.
This warning took the form OF the election OF
W. Mene over NJ. Clmenceau as President OF the
Chamber NJ Floquet had advocated Revision
M his Ministerial programme, but alarmed by
the menace OF OpportuniNt opposition hr deferred
action on this burning question ana carried
through the Chambers two measures OF practical
utility one for the regulation of factory labor and
the other for defining the responsibility of en-
pOyers for accidents 10 workmen. The Panama
anal lottery bill was also passed, and the financial
budgets were disposed OF with unusual facility:
/ he BOulangst successes IN August convinced
NJ Floquet that he could not safely postpone
us original project. The Revision agitation
mad become dangerous that he must meet
General Boulanger on his own ground. Accord
ngly, when the Chambers reass ambled in the
autumn, he brought forward his plan Of Revision
lis proposals were Of radical nature
The President was 10 be deprived OF the
rieht OF dissolying the Chamber VI Deputiee
the Senate 10 have only snspri
i've veto for two years in neral
legislation and IN empty privilege OF rmon
stance in financial ahars; collective responNl
bilty OF Ministers 10 cease and caci one
was TO be personally responsible TO the Char
all measures were 10 be submitted 10 Council
" State: Ministers were 10 he scctre III oilce
or fixed time: and the lower House was =
be renewed by thirds every two years. The
project was designed to disable the Executive