The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-02-03
HlT Words Pass
Investigation of French Navy
Arouses Old Animosities.
Admiral GeTvais Considers That
He Was Injured.
WON'T SHAKE HANDS.
Guiesse Managed to Control His
Bubbling Feelings.

PARIS. Feb 5.@The first meeting of
the commission appointed to inquire into
the state Of the French navy resulted u
a serious disturbance which viii be made
the subject of a cabinet inquiry
The commission was appointed to in
vestigate the disclosures brought to
light by All. Clemenceau, ~. Lockroy and
others recently through the public press
aud in the chamber Of deputies, the sub
stance OF the charges being that the
French navy ia in a state of gross ineff-
cheney ana that the coast of France IS
practically defenseless in case of war with
England 0r any other maratlme power
Among members of the commission AS
Admiral Gervais, who commanded the
French fleet which visited CrOnstadt
some time ago and who is said TO have
arranged with THE ear the preliminaries
of the Franco Russian entente. which
were cemented oy the visit of the Rus
sian fleet lass fall 1t was noticed that
Admira GervaiH was somewhat excited
during 1he preliminary discussions and
instructions Of the members Of the com
mission but the members were astound-
ed when the admiral, upon being intro
duced t0 AI Pierre Guiesse. formerly a
marine engineer. q mem Der of the COM
mission and the chamber Of deputies, re-
fused 90 shake hands with him.
sNo sir. i win not shake hands with
you exc aimed the admiral
May / ask why" asked 81. Guiesse.
sBacause you read in the deputies a
telegram about he transport Rance, and
/ consider your action dishonorable."
NJ Gliesse managed to control his
temper. and the incident was believed to
have ended. though several of the MEM
beers 0f the commission felt considerably
disturbed at the attitude assumed by
Admiral Gervais.
Later, while the commission was in
session Nj. L0ckr0y, in referring to the
charges which he had brought in the
chamber Of deputies against the navy Of
France took occasion to praise the Olli-
GERS 9t the French navy. admiral Ger
vslis. who had been listening to NJ Lock-
roy's remarks with many signs Of Inn
patience, suddenly exclaimed very notify,
s.The officers ot the navy have no need
of your praises. and / decline them in
their mlne.
A scene Of considerable confusion fol-
lowed, during which the minister Of
marine Admiral lie Fevre, declared that
the matter had reached stage which re-
Guired that the incidents referred to in
this dispatch must DE discussed by the
government, and lie further intImated
that the cabinet would this morning take
the behavior of Admiral Gervais into
constellation.
Adm raj Gervais in February. 1892
was promoted to the rank Of vice admiral
and was made chief Of the general staff
of the ministry Of marine. HE is a com
manuer "a tile Legion of Honor and has
held anumber of most important positions
under the government. ia addition to
commanding the French fleet which WISH
ted Crcnstadt Eli 1891. he was in command
of the French fleet. which the same year
visited Portsmouth at the express invita-
tion of he queen of England.
During the Franco Prussian war, he