New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-26
FRENCH NATIONAL TOPICS.
THE GRAND DUKE, THE SAVINGS BANK AND
AFOOTRACE FROM PARIS TO
TIE FRONTIER.
Paris, June 10.

Paris, June 10.
do not think that France and her Government
exaggerate the importance of the Grand Duke
Constantne's visit to Nancy 20 salute las they say
here NJ. Carnot in the name Of the Gar III the
President had been in the neighborhood or the
Russian frontier it would have been only etiquette
to dispatch special envoy to make
complimentary call But there was no condition
of this kind The President, from desire to give
the Emperor William an excuse for making up TO
him by sending distinguished parsonage to con-
yey his neighborly greetings, had declined polite
overtures from the Grand Duke Of LuSemburg
and the King of the Belgians. He had also begged
through Baron Mohrenhem the Grand Duke Con-
stantine not TO be at the trouble when he Si
Carnot went to Nancy Of coming over to see him
from Contrexeville, small watering place In South
Lorraine, where the Grand Duke had gone TO com-
pete cure begun at Vichy. Baron Mohrenheim
was eager for the VISIT and / imagine that Con-
stantine Constantinson was sent by the Russian
Chanceerie on purpose to Contrexeville, To have
pretext for going under sensational circumstances
TO Nancy, and when his cousin and sovereign
would be visiting the Gar at Kel. NJ Carnot's
wish not to receive call from the Russian Prince
would have been as law TO the latter, and he only
could have disregarded it under such compulsion
as an order from the Gar TO pay the visit.
pathy for the French Republic or even for France
and her amusing capital and winter resorts actuated
the Gar, Baron Mohpnheim, NJ dc Giers or any
one else at st. Petersburg or Copenhagen in this
matter The Gar does not like the German En-
perOr, whose vanity Is offensive to him. He would
be glad TO take il down many pegs. He is also
devoted TO the family Of the Czarina, which has
neither forgotten nor forgiven the invasion Of the
Danish Duchies and the subsequent mutilation Of
Denmark France is simply means wherewith
to beat Emperor William, or a screw TO tighten
on him when the Russian Chancellerie might be
wanting to drag a concession from him.
The points that Russia has now before her
| are The cutting Of ship canal across Schles-
| wig, and what compensation TO obtain for it; the
deposition Of the Prince of Bulgaria, and the
separation as a corolary of the two Bulgarias:
the restitution of the Guelph fund, which they
think at Copenhagen and st. Petersburg drags
too long Without being able 10
hold up France as boyle before the eyes Of the
German Emperor. Russia connot hope to obtain by
diplomatic means any of these advantages Nor can
| she without French help get any thing by war.
| Or course she would be sure OF that aid if she
| meant TO try conclusions at the lannon's mouth
with Germany. 1t may happen that by a clever
manipulation Of the French screw the Gar can
get what he wants. and then leave France TO
| the tender mercies Of the Triple Alliance
Public attention continues, notwithstanding the
noise of the Grand Duke Constantine's visit To
| Nancy, 10 be directed upon the debate in Para-
ment on the Savings Bank The economists Of
| democratic tendencies are growing alive 10 the
evil of drawing the savings Of whole nation land
| that the most thrifty in the world 10 the En-
chequer There are at This moment locked up
IN rcntes three-ffths of the entire sum paid
u Germany in 1871 as war indemnity run
on the Savings Bank under the influence of panic
would make the French Government bankrupt
The French Savings Bank as il now works was
borrowed from England Bat the idea ORIGINATED
In France as early az The Regency Of Marie de
MedicL Twelve years ago the Postolice Savings
Rank was created. Tie statute in virtue Of
when ms institution exists allows postoiices 70
receive much 1000 francs each and auth rizes
the purchase of as much 90 francs wear II
rcntes lconsols) The Savings Bank can keep the
interests Of the $1,000, but they can bear
no interest Investors can get back their money
after weeks notice. Post masters and misrresses
hand over the sums they receive to the CaiSse
DIES CONSIDERATIONS or 10 those Government fiscal
agents known a. general and sub receivers of
taxes. The interest is francs 25 ccntimes from
the date of the investment To- the eve Of its with
/
any sum under 1000 francs begins 10 bear in
tcrcst But fractions Of francs produce nothing.
Men, women and minors over sixteen, "
all classes, invest at postoflice any sum from
! frame 10 1000 In case Of dire necessity such
as an invasion, the postoficc can bc authorized
by the Finance Minister to refund deposits Of over
$50 francs on calls from investors at the rate
only Of 80 francs fortnight.
II asonishcs rs now to hear of n walk Of sew.
eral hundred miles. We forget that most great
armies In campaigning times made forced marches
! Of hundreds of miles and fought at the end OF
them. Nevertheless, the race on foot with sleep
ing rests at night from Paris 10 Belfort. close to
the Swiss frontier, Ia II remarkable contest.
Ramocc, who has won il against several profess
slonal pedestrians and Others is simply "a stable
man employed in a stud M Chantilly. lie has had
lot of practice Of a useful kind in leading young
horses at fast pace round the course of Chan
| lilly when they are in training there The rule of
the match was that the competitions were 10 cover
SO many miles day. II was calculated that 10 do
tins they must go at a running pace or what used
to be called some thirty years ago in Ireland
ConnaugAt harvestcrs tabto Ramosc
was nowhere during the first day and a half
1t was his staying power that gained the VIC
| tory He arrived at the town hall of Befort
an hour and seventeen minutes before Comet,
who was second best, but SO exhausted that he
| could hardly stand and 10 a skeleton.
The cyclists who were bottle-holders with him
along the road had to rub him with camphor
and spirits and to keep him up with drinks
OF champagne Ramoge, on the contrary, WAS
In good condition save in the feet which were
not only blistered but raw. His pulse betrayed
no faintness lie lost three-quarters Of a pound
since Sunday, and about an eighth OF an inch
| IN height. All Bclfort was out u see him as
no entered the gate on the Paris road The
houses and public buildings we've adorned with
| flags in his honor, and at the Town Hall. which
was the goal, reached at II 25 this morning. the
Mayor grit with his tricolored scarf handed him
bouquet In the name Of the town. =. @