Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-18
FRENCH CRISIS.
Frenchmen Greatly Excited
Over German Passports.
The Cabinet Threatened by an
Interpolation.

The Newspapers of the Republic Full Of
Comments Pro and Con on the Subject,
Some Declaring the Cabinet May he
Forced to Resign-An About Happen.
ings in AIsace- Lorraine, Too,
PARIS, July l6.-The rebuff which the
government received Thursday in the
chamber of deputies when it was decid-
ed by vote of 1856 to 203 to discuss the
Interpolation of M. Laur, the Boulangist
deputy, who asked the government to
explain the manner in which the Alsace-
Lorraine passport regulations We're en-
forced, has occasioned great deal of
excitement throughout France.
M. Bibot, the ministsr of foreign af-
fairs, as already cabled, declared that
nothing had occurred to warrant an ex-.
planation, and he added that as the matter
stood he was opposed to replying to M,
Laur's question. The chamber, however,
took a different view of the situation,
and by coalition of the Right, the Bou-
langists and the Radicals declared itself
in favor of discussing the Interpolation.
The situation Grave One.
All parties admit the gravity of the
situation, and the report that the gov
ernment will demand vote of conf
dence is discussed on all sides. Should
this be the case the majority may rally
to the support of the government, but If
1t is true that the cabinet has deter
mined to ask the chamber to adjourn
sine die il is stated that it is more than
likely that a ministerial crisis viii ensne.
Discussed by the Papers.
The newspapers are full of the sub
ject, and its significance may be judged
from the fact that the moderate govern
ment organs appeal to the chamber to
rescind its decision. These papers
further declare that the discussion of
the manner in which the Alsace-Lor-
raine passport regulations are enforced
will answer no purpose, and will only
lead to the adoption of more rigorous
measures upon the part of the German
government on the frontiers of Alsace
and Lorraine.
The radical and extremist journals,
on the other hand, violently attack the
government for opposing the discussion
of the passport regulations, and declare
that nothing is left to the cabinet but to
resign. These newspapers also insist
that it is the right and duty of France
to demand light on the alleged recent
and severe restrictions placed upon the
entry upon French commercial travel
ers ana others into Alsace- Lorraine, and
they claim that the subject must be dis
cussed.
The Gaulois and The Figaro placed
themselves on record as believing that
the discussion of this now serious sub
ject will terminate in vote of conf
dence in the government.
The papers of Paris, Lyons, Marseilles.
Toulon, and, in fact, of every city and
town, are giving editorial expression to
the great anxiety which has come upon
the people.
A victory for the Governments
The chamber of deputies assembled
Friday and the government achieved an
overwhelming victory.
The motion of Interpolation, made by
M. Laur, with regard to German pass
port regulations in Alsace-Lorraine, was
tabled by vote of $40 to 1913.
The announcement of the result was
received with an outburst of cheering,
and repeated cries of "Vive Ia Repub-
lique." In the streets the people stand
amazed at the magnificent rally Of the
deputies to the support Of the govern
ment.
The chamber later in the day passed
without amendment the first article Of
the customs bill, fixing the gene raj mini
mum tariffs as already voted, and the
second article of the same bill, fixing the
Sur taxes to be levied on products Of
other than European countries. Sugar
will continue to pay the Sur tax. Wool
imported from all countries except the
countries of Europe isexempt from duty.