The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-21
The situation in France.


Up to last week there was good reason
to hope that the cordial understanding
reached between France and Russia would
be permanent; and the prospect was viewed
with lively satisfaction by the wellwishers
OF the French republic on this side OF the
Atlantic. But 1t has always been under
stood that the Gar. on his part. has right
to expect from France such guarantees Of q
consistent foreign policy as only stable
government can furnish. That Is why any
signs Of disintegration In the new Chamber
OF Deputies. and OF consequent reversion
to the regime OF timid. vacillating. and
short-lived Ministry. may well be regarded
with dismay. Unfortunately. 1t cannot be
denied that certain incidents which occurred
on Tuesday In the Chamber have shaken
confidence In the ability Of the Cabinet
headed by NJ. CAsndIR-PERIER to retain
power for long period. and to carry out.
with unwaveripg resolve. its programme.
1t looks as II the outburst Of indignation
caused by the dynamite explosion in the
legislative Chamber has already spent its
force. and as II q reaction has set in against
the Ministry which addressed itself with
energy to the repression OF such crimes.
day last was this: NJ. BURDEAU. the FL
nance Minister. introduced the promised
bill for the conversion OF the national bonds,
now bearing ~ per cent. interest, into
bonds which should pay only 81 per cent.
As the amount OF money saved to the coun-
try by the proposed change would exceed
$4,000. 900 year. the arguments in favor Of
the measure we're overwhelming. and 1t was
ultimately passed by a vote Of 495 TO 1. But.
In the course Of the debate. the use to be
made of the sum saved became the subject
OF discussion, and then 1t was that certain
Incidents OF the utmost gravity occurred.
Two important amendments to the Govern
ment bill were moved by NJ. JAUREs, a
Socialist Deputy. the leader OF the Sec
ton whose parliamentary influence was
supposed to have been annihiated
through Its avowed or suspected SYM
pathy for VALIANT. the convicted
author OF the dynamite outrage. The
first of these amendments was to the effect
that the money economical by the CONVEX
sion should be applied to reducing the land
tax. The Government, apparently falling
to discern the full scope Of the movers in
tention. made no vigorous resistance to this
public promise TO lessen the burdens upon
agriculture. Nothing was said. however.
by any OF the Ministers to warrant the as
sumption that they accepted the amend
ment. and their stanchest supporters
voted against it. Nevertheless. it was car
ried by vote OF $50 to go. This was bad
enough. for it showed that. In tho eyes OF
a great body OF Republicans. the merits OF
a motion were not clouded by the sponsor
ship Of Socialist The surprise OF the day
was yet TO come. however. Justly en-
couraged by the favorable reception
OF his first amendment. NJ. JAUREs
proceeded to disclose his real purpose.
which was to convince the peasant pro-
prietors, who constitute the majority OF
French voters. that the Socialists are their
best friends. He proposed by his second
amendment that the benefit Of the reduc-
tion OF the land tax. resulting from the con-
version Of the debt. should be confined TO
those landowners who cultivate their own
lands. Taken aback by this proposition,
and unwilling. without elaboration. to say
anything that might ALLEVIATE the peasant
proprietors. III. BURDEAU announced that
the Government would reserve the express
sion OF its views until a vote had been taken
on the second amendment. after which the
Ministers would discuss both amendments
together. Thereupon. the second amend
Inent was supported by almost every MEN,
Der present. except the Monarchists and
so-called Rallied Republicans. who. between
them. represent the great landowners. The
vote was 4Os to 10.
This was an extraordinary predlcament
for Ministry which. only few weeks ago.
passed laws OF unexampled rigor against
the Anarchists by majorities averaging up
ward OF three hundred. In submitting to
the Chamber his project for the conversion
OF the debt. NJ. BURDEAU had said not a
word about the application OF the money to
DO saved. intending to treat that subject in
q subsequent and separate bill. But be-
hold. this important matter had been SUM
marily taken out OF the Ministrys hands,
and that at the instigation Of Socialists.
who had Of late been regarded as negIi-
gible factors in the Chamber! Evidently,
the Cabinet could not rest under a rebuff
which was tantamount to an effacement OF
It's functions, TO transfer OF its initiative
TO the leader OF what hitherto had been
deemed an Insignificant minority. II
1t did submit. it would be a laugh
ing stock; and against Tldiculs no
French Ministry can stand. One Of two
things had to be done; either the Govern
ment must resign. or il must persuade the
Deputies 10 eat their words. and reject the
very amendments which they had Just
passed. To that task. dihioult enough in