New-York tribune., 1893-12-24
THE CRISIS IN FRANCE.
A MINISTRY FELL WITHOUT STOPplNu
TO TEST ITS STRENGTH.
Paris. November 2S.

ment has been sufficient 10 give the World an
other OF those object lessons in experimental
politics for which France has been notorious
ever since the great Revolution. This latest ex-
periencc shows clearly what are the elements
In French publicanism-elements so far want
ing in our American rcpublic-which LEAD the
Nation steadily onward toward very effective
Socialism. and also what Is the real present
strength Of declared and revolutionary Social
ism In France.
The situation was plain from the start. The
Government in power was a patchwork Min
istry holding over from the last Parliament.
where It's majority had been secured by the
system Of Republican concentration dear to
President Carnot Three Radical ministers
were concentrated in cabinet with seven
Moderate Republicans. under Prime Minister
Dupuy who was also Opportunist. trying
to keep In the middle of the way. Unfortunately
for his success in this difficult line OF march'
the firmness he had shown in dealing with the
striking coal miners OF the North subjected him
to n certain attraction on the part OF the Con
servative Right and to decided repulsion all
along the Radical Left. Now the composition OF
the new House OF Deputies. where the Ministry
must seek its ma ajoriy. Is Of n kind to battle
the calculations of the clevercst politician. In
point Of fact the Ministry Of NJ. Dupny has
tallcn without a single vote Of the House hav-
ing yet determined the genuine nature OF this
absolute governing body which France has just
given herself for another four years. An excess
sve desire 10 make sure of n majority has
brought 10 pass a phenomenon utterly new in
parliamentary governmental Ministry Obliged
TO resign without even putting the matter to
a test by demanding vote Of confidence from
the legislative body.
OF itself. such an upset would scarcely inter
est the American observer otherwise than to
make him thankful for an evolution Of things
which has accurately separated the executive
from the legislative branch of his own govern
ment and so spared his country the innciion
Of n parliamentary" republic. with all the dis
concerting changes due to the principle ~ min
iscrial responsibility. But this dramatic open
Ing Of the French Parliament has other side
relations which hardly afford to neglect.
With all the pecuarites OF their mode ~ action.
French politicians are the first 10 act on general
principles which are more or less everywhere
In the air. 1t is sill to be feared that the world
Will grow giddy II France only chooses to dance
long enough.
HOW TIE NEw HOUSE rS COMPOSED.
So far as can be known the new House 81
Deputies falls into line follows: there are
sixty members OF the Right (nearly To a man
former Royalists): there are some 300 under
stood TO be Government Republicans. more or
less Moderate and Opportunist: and there are 100
more who have been elected as ont -and-out
Radicals or Socialists. leaving more than 100
Republican Deputies unleclarci and probably
undecided as 10 their preference between milf
tant Radicalsm and pott"rinR Opportunsm.
Now n clcvcrer man than NJ. Dupuy would be
puzzled how ~ get working majority ont ~
such legislature. In the first place. large
number of his own 200 would A. once Join with
the Right to down him II he showed any sign
of giving In 10 the Radical Socialist programme;
for Socialism. that IS the enemy In
the second place. n he openly allied himself
with tho Clerical Right. the hundred and more
unattached Republicans and certain proper
tIon again Of his Government Republicans.
would likewise turn against .him: for them
"Clericallsm. that IL the enemy
The difficulty Of forosceing any definite out
come of this state Of things may be- gathered
from representations. utterly falsihed In the
event. which were made by n man so Injured 10
French political changes ~ NJ. d" Biowiiz. ~
least. | suppose he IL responsible" for the IDEA
Of The London Times" that the Right might
Join with the Radical Socialists 10 form An
opposition party To- the Opportunst Republican
Left This might have been possible i've years
since. In ancient history. before Carnot Pos
siblv President Carnot himself feared such
coalition. for he IL generally held responsible
for keeping the discorlant Radical element In
the Dupuy Ministry as bid for the old OPP
portuno- Radical concentration. The last few
days have proved 10 every ono. except - those
who will not see. that W. have entered into
new era This was long since recognized hy
those who fix their attention on the actual
lt. 7
Socialism In the House ~ Deputies Itself. which
IS alone connected with the present Government
crisis Those who can discern existing political
tendencies only when labelled In full on the
coats Of politicians viii evidently not under
stand.
The frs, week of the session gave no sign ~
what was 10 come Every one was waiting
for the Ministerial Declaration. This came At
last. long and windy with the patltudcs about
the State and the Revolution which are familiar
To- French University professors Tx" VI. Dupuy.
not very clear - the exact na'ur" Of tn"
new laws which the Ministry would propose TO
Parllamert-thc Pr ,sident's Cabinet does this
In Francc-but sounding the trumpet loudly
against Socialism. I'm an undcrtone II tried to
conciliate the Radicals by declaring the anti
clerical school and military laws fundamental
I'm the Republic. and begging them 10 delay
pressing their favorite projects Of reform so
long az certain minor. but more practical. meas
ures should occupy the attention OF Parliament.
The Right half frightened at the novelty ~
It's position. applaudcd the Prime Minister In his
charge on Socialism. They had expected moth
Ing In the way Of conciliation regarding laws
which are accomplished facts. The Socialists.
who were holding I'm reserve old grievances
against VI. Dupuy openly rejoccd at the chance
furnished them of showing their strength. They
are now coInpa rable in number and influence To
the Right itself. The Radicals and Radical So
cialists alone sat opcn-mouthcd and devoid OF
all comfort Their position IL worth explaining
AIMS OF THE RADICALS.
All Radicalism in France. whether old or new.
aims steadily at a thrcefold end. First. rcllg-
,oueI, 0f might be more Xact 10 say lrreg