New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-28
SOrJdL QUESTIONS ~ FRANCE.

SOrJ4L QUESTIONS ~ FRANCE.
Artificial! attempts are made by the news
mongers of Paris to revive the waning political
excitement by disquicting tales OF the MURDER
of Baron Reinach and an approaching duel pe-
t,vccn NJ. Andrcux and Premier Rlbot. Mo-
mcutary nurricS may be caused by these sensa-
t;cnol stories but as there can be no renewal
If tho Panama disclosures until the Chambers
rcasscmblc the present lull in French affairs
will probably continue for a fortnight. Mean
while Mr.. Smallcy's philosophical reflections IN
his cablo letter upon the situation III France
will enable our readers to form just estimate
Of the political effects OF the recent campaign
against public regulations and Republican IN
,iitutionS. Perhaps the most striking cohcl'-
sion which is expressed in the dispatch pub
| lished this morning, is that relatin@ 10 INC
spraad Cf socialism. The artisan class Which
was responsible for the Commune, aspireS e!ther
by a coalition with the peasant or ny parricaueS
and violence to read Just the relations between
capital and labor. Its SocialiStlc propaganda
will be promoted by the recent evidence OF cor
ruption in public life among Opportunsts ana
Radicals alike.
\ss,voral correspondents request specific IN
formation respecting the lines OF division be-
,vc.r Onportunisn and RadicaliSm, il may not
bo amiSs 10 explain these terms as they are
understood in France. Gambctta, who was the
apostle of OpportuniSm, was too shrcwd ltader
to avow himself a Conservative. That was
word reserved for the convenience 81 Koyall.'S'
Orloarists. Eonapart>tS and Cl"rIcalst', VINO
had not adapted themselves 10 the conditions
If Ecpublcln ORDER Gambctta believed III the
name siye DEVELOPMENT of democratic inStltu-
tions but he had sufficient conservatism 10
rcrcciyc that what WAS premature and mop
uoltunc could not be undertaken without Scrl-
on, risl, 10 the Republic. If he did not repeat
the Arollc's words. Let your moderation be
known unto all men" he acted upon the prln-
chile by teaching his followers to govern the
country with the aid If the more conservative
clements of the Republican party, 10 be prac-
tical politicians and not to he prcoccupIed with
the social problems Of a more or less remote
futur,. The GambcttiSts have continued t. this
time n the governing class OF the hepuD-
lie. and have been supported IN the man ny
the provincial and peasant voters ont OF iariS.
Opposed - this group Of moderate Kcpub-
lican, has been steadily increasing faction
known ~ the Radical group. It's leaders nave
been called Extremists, but they hardly deserve
the name. \ Radical programme az any time
since the downfall Of the Empire would have
comprised such principles as unrestricted free
,pcoch a reduction OF the period of military
service, separation OF Church ana STATE cree
ton Of Mayors and Judges by the people and
responsible home rule for municipalities. 1t
has been the French habit 10 make red bogy
out of Radcalism but from an American point
Of Wow thcre has never been anything extreme
in IFS princiDlcs \ Radical electoral pro-
crammc ha, never contained anything which
would be considered unreasonable or immod-
cr,,to in the United States The men in that
group have been in great haste and somewhat
moro ont spokcn than the Opportunists or Mod
crates. ard have shown less practical talent
for administration when called upon to govern
the nation but their Radicallsm has been more
or less of a conuring phrase. Eyon thor most
au,tarc leader VI. Bris,on. while he was faScl-
mated in his youth with tho doctrines Of the
-. Simonians. has taken less interest every
succeeding year in social questions and made
Eadicalism very much OF political aifectation.
Tho Partisan artisan never has been able To
discriminate closely between tho Opportunist
and the Radical. Both were essentially law
abiding and pledged 10 the defence of society
and Of current methods Of protecting the rights
If cauital. For VI. Bri,son over VI. Ribot he
ha, no real preference. Tho Radical leader
may be colder in manner and a shade more
speculative in his political IDEAS than the OPP
porrunist Premier, but both are defenders OF
social system which he desires to abolish.
The Panama disclosures have diScr"dtod Bou-
langiSts. Modcratos and Radicals alike. and en-
ablcd tho Socialist agitator 10 point the moral
that French politics like society in general Is
rotten L the corc That Socialism Will take
advantage os the opportunity for declaring war
anew upon capital and proclaiming an equitable
distribution among worlSmcn of the earnings OF
employers seems now 10 be foregonc conclu-
sion. In the last analysis it is the social ques-
ton which is evolved from the present transi-
ton period of political diSintegration and CON
fusion in France.