Omaha daily bee., 1888-04-07

ulSpOSeu 10 Nuke any ulNlSlVu his
imperial authority so long as he is able
to exercise it, and that the chancellor
consequently finds himself much less of
a figure in the state than he was while
the late emperor ruled. Furthermore
he is understood 10 be partial to the
crown prince, and in order that that
young man may bide his time for the
succession, without knowing too much
of what is going on meanwhile, it may
be deemed necessary that Bismarck's
prerogatives be somewhat curtailed,
But If the chancellor desired conces-
sions he could doubtless secure them by
a threat OF resignation. Germany
would feel his loss much more than she
did that of the late emperor, and Fred
erick would find it no easy task to re-
place him. Perhaps as to the rest of
Europe his retirement would not be re-
garded with displeasure.
~.
The threatened destruction of the
Floquet ministry, before its existence
fairly begins, is not unexpected. This
is'uot due to any belief that that body
lacks ability, public spirit or patriotism.
Indeed, in none of these particulars has
there bean a better cabinet in France
within the past five years than the one
which has Just been formed. AT this
moment, however, the foes of the re-
public are especially active in the
chamber OF deputies. The unholy alli-
ance of Bonapartists, bourbons, red re-
publicaus and socialists, which over
threw the Tirard ministry, is appar-
emily preparing to unite and crush the
Floquet administration And these
elements, from present indications, are
to be aided by many members who
are usually classed as moderate
republicans. Behind all these adj
verse forces stands General Boulanger.
What his plans may be no one knows who
will tell the public. The belief is pre-
~valent, though, that he does not favor the
existing system of government. Under
present circumstances a dissolution of
the chamber and an appeal to the peo-
pie would seem to be the readiest means
to prevent anarchy and u dictatorship.
And this method has its risks, because
in the present excitable mood of the
people there is danger that the forces
which now render government almost
impossible will increase their strength.
In addition to this danger the vision of
the imam on horseback" throws a dark
shadow across the political horizon.
For the French republic the next few
weeks may be big with fate. The presi-
lent of France is chosen for q certain
term, which is now seven years. Theo-
~retically he is independent of the ma
tional legislature, so far as regards his
tenure of office. Actually, though, his
official existence has come to depend, in
a large degree, on the attitude OF the
popular branch of that body. France,
under its present system of government
had three executives before the present
president. These were Theirs, Mac
Mahon and Grevy. Each one of these,
however, was constrained to step down
before the term 'he was serving
was completed. The pressure against
Theirs was less rigorous ant
threatening than that brough'
against either of his two successors, blu
even he found it intoierable. Every
official act of the executive requires the
signature of a member of the ministry
Without a ministry he is, in an admin
istrative sense, nonresident, and the
life OF a ministry is determined by the
will or caprice of the chamber of depu
ties. Although President Carnot ha!
served about One-twenty-first part 0
the term for which he was chosen, hi.
resignation at any hour now must bt
reckoned on as among the possibilities
1t Is the possibility which makes the
present crisis in France so interesting
~
If the coming of spring is all that has
been waited for by Russia before devel
oping her Balkan policy its disclosure
cannot be far off. Perhaps a first steI
in this development may be traced il
the reported request made Of Other
powers to withdraw their diplomatic
representatives from Bulgaria because
the principality has refused to reply tt
Turkeys note declaring that Prince
Ferdinand's assumption of power is il
legal. But Russia has several times
before made requests on this sub
ject which the other powers founC
themselves unable to grant. II
one recent instance she wishe,
England to join in declaring thai
Prince Ferdinand must go" but Eng
land very judiciously declined to do s
until the powers should first agree VIII
was to come in F~erdinand's place. lille
gality is bad enough, but anarchy ma.
be worse. Bulgaria, on her part, ha
now found questions to ask, n of then
being why Turkey is putting troops il
the town of Mustapha Pasha. Thi
) latter is directly on the border of east
ern Roumelia, and the presence G
Turkish troops there seems to point I
more activity in the Balkan probler
! with the opening Of spring.
~
! The finances of Russia are in the vi
) most disorder; her budget is an ice pal
l ace melting away before the first thaw
, Her administration is thoroughly COZ
2 rupt and her railway system inferior
We know how many hours it takes Gen
3 many or FRANCE to mobilize an army {
Nv. 40 ..A1 D--s