Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-18
The rrsncs Republic.

The situation in France seems TO grow
more complex every day. and "a popular
excitement increases new phases develop
which, =. ia well said. are calculated TO IN
spirc serious uncertainty as TO the safety OF
the republic. IL must be confessed that in
one respect the RpoT Cabinet has proved
an agreeable surprise. Despite the fact
that il Is patchwork of old material, 1t
has 40 fer lived up 10 its promises and
taken q pretty firm stand. Fresh judicial
proceedings. resulting in the arrest OF
some of the directors of the canal, have
boon instituted. many important docu-
ments have been seized. and other steps
have been taken which evince an earnest
intention of getting to the bottom OF the
great fraud. Moreover, the government
has been sustained IN the Chamber on
test question.
These are the encouraging factors in the
problem. On the other hand, however
the scenes that marked the adjournment
of the Chamber Thursday; the intense
jealousy that still exists between the IN
vestiqating committee and the judiciary
and the fact that many Of the deputies
are said TO be as deep in the Panama canal
mud as the directors are in IT'S mire must
cause the deepest solicitude to the true
friends Of the French republic who wonia
look beyond the immediate agitation.
NJ. BRIssoN's insinuations against the
Ministry. tho attitude Of the Bonlans'sIs'
the biIhngsgate that characterized tne
sitting Of the Cham Der, and the frantic
excitement manifested III the lobbles atter
the vote on Nj. BoIssERIN's proposals 10
clothe the committee with judicial power
had been taken, emphasize most forcloiy
the oncstiou. Are the French people capa-
bio Of solf-goyernment? Not only Is TINS
trpe but we are confronted with the
query, What will become of the govern
ment majority should the R1BoT Cabinet
undertake to prosecute members OF the
Chamber who are charged with comph-
clty in the swindlo? The governments ma
iorjty WAS only six, and the Chamber is
splt M into a number of groups. liz the
event referred to it is not improbable that
the guilty deputies and the monarchical eie-
ments would combine not only to bring
about anOtDeT NdDluSb ciirIS, Ous =" P4O-
duce an ENHANCEMENT that would force
dissolution of the Chamber. That such a
contamination would aford.the Monarch
lists the best opportunity for strengthen
ing their hands, both at home and abroad,
they have bad since the downfall OF the
BouLANGRR movement is generally con-
ceded.
There are thousands of substantial
Frenchmen who, though not pronounced
Monarchlsts. are heartily tired of the tur-
moil incident 20 the existing order OF
things. They long for something stable.
From these the Monarchists would draw
large number of adherents. At the same
time they would have the moral support
covertly, If not openly-of Frances mon
archical neighbors. to whose institutions
the French republic Is q constant menace.
However, even in taking the gloomlest
view Of the future of the republic, one
cannot forget the remarkable recuperative
powers of the French people and their
ability to Withstand successfully great
strains. This is the silver lining to the
cloud.