The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-18
HE SAVED FRANCE.
The Opportunity Found
the Man.
RIBoT's WONDERFUL WORK
But for Him Carnot Would Have Re.
signed and the Republic Would
Have Been Wrecked.
Special to THE MORNING CALL


the Tribune. from London. has this: 1t is
Ribot's second week of Office and already
he has earned the gratitude OF the French
republic. Ii it is too much to say that he
has saved il, it is not too much to say that
he has borne it safely through a crisis ful,
OF peril. He has proved himself Minister
OF capacity and courage, alike in the Cham
Der and In the Cabinet. Ii he barely saved
himself In the Chamber no has since shown
the country that strength in a Ministry is
not always merely numerical. The arrest
and Imprisonment of the Panama directors
is an act which impresses France far more
than any majority. 1t makes the events of
Thursday seem already old. Yet, but for
Ribops ssgacity, eloquenee and firm atti-
tude before the Chamber on Thursday the
majority would have been against the
Ministry and the Ministry would
have resigned. 1t is not certain that
President Carnot would not have
resigned, and the gangs of conspirators
who are plotting against the republic would
nave been one step nearer the shameful
and scandalous success at which they aim.
RIbot's attitude is the more remarkable be-
cause last week he seemed ready to sur
render to Brisson. Ho did surrender
nearly everything the fanatical chairman
of the Panama committee demanded. 1t
was at FIRST felt TO be doubtful whether the
PourQuery Deboisserin bill. about which
the fight ragged on Thursday, would not be
granted. 1t is also true that there came
later double declaration against il, but no
man knew how far the Ministers would
carry their opposition. 1t Is true. also,
that BrissOn, at the beginning of Thurs
days debate, told the Chamber that he no
oh III
that the committee had already ample pow
ers. asked for an adjournment of the de-
bate. and then casually observed that he
should still support the principle of the
bill. prineipls which is an open defiance
OF the constitution.
The arrest yesterday of Charles de Les
seos, NJ. Fontanes and San Leroy is one
more proof, not only that Ribot means TO
govern ,lbut that he knows how NJ. Brisson's
defeat in the Chamber should be followed
by an act of ministerial vlgor which goes
far TO put the Panama committee into its
proper place. This is very different bust
ness from the former prosecution that was
based on the maladministration Of the COM
pany's affairs. This is a charge of corrupt
ing public functionaries.
TO-day's Cabinet council gives rise to
many coniectures. The long series of long
councils came 10 al end last month not, it
is understood, to be resumed till shortly
before Parliament meets six weeks
hence, but Gladstone at the end
of last week suddenly summoned a
fresh concIsve. He is going TO Biarritz,
and cannot quit England with an easy con-
science or with feeling of security unless
by the help of one more consultation with
his colleagues. There are those who say that
the final draft of the home rule bill pre-
pared by the committee of the Cabinet Will
be LAID before this council, and that every
effort will be made to bring together the
distracted minds OF the separate sections of
the Cabinet. Other guesses more or less
plausible are heard, bat the only thing GER
tain Is that SEINE unusually impor tant rea-
son exists Tor such meeting at such a time.
Politicians who know everything have
found out the real reason of Lord Rose
berry s.vist to Morley In Dublin. lie went
in order To persuade the chief secretary not
to resign. Such is the explanation current
| among the well-inforraed. To say that they
are well informed on this occasion would
be TO say good deal. 1t il, however, re-
markable how well this theory fits in with
previous coniectures. and some Of them are
more han eonjectures, about discussions in
the Cabinet and the triumph of the moder-
ate party. Morley is, next after Gladstone,
the leader OF the Radical home rule wing.
lie Is for complete measure. He has con-
verted not only Gladstone, but himself He
is convinced that the Irish demand must at
all risks be met. BE believes that England
can be brought 10 accept the Irish minimum,
whatever IL may be. lie is convinced, on
the other hand, that to offer the Irish
Nationalist half measure Is to
invite defeat and throw the whole
business once more into the seething cal
dron of agitation. If II be true that q
measure of moderation, or of comparative
moderation. has carried the day in The
Cabinet 1t may well enough be that Morley
thinks his own usefulness is at an end.
Resignation is, nevertheless, an extreme
measure. 1t might wreck this Ministry at
once. The Radicals are uneasy and in a
suspicious temper. They do not trust Glad
stone himself, except on the Irish question.
Ii they have representative in the Cabinet
it is Morley Thsy meant 10 use him and
they are angry because he will not let him.
self be used and will not advance an inch
beyond his own convictions. They ask,
naturally: IF Mr.. Morley goes who is left
to us?"