St. Paul daily globe., 1894-02-04


Gets Gay-His Behavior VIII
Cause a Cabinet Inquiry.
PARIS. Feb. 3.-The first meeting of
the commission appointed to inquire
into the state of the French navy re-
suited in serious disturbanc ce, which
will be made the subject of a cabinet
inquiry. The commission was ap-
pointed TO Investigate the disclosures
broaght TO light by NJ. Clemenceau. NJ.
Lockroy and others recently through
the public press and in the chamber OF
deputies. The substance of the charges
being that the French navy is in state
of gross inefficiency, and that the coast
| of France is practically defenselesS in
case of war with England or any other
maritime power. Among the members
of the commission is Admiral Gervais,
who commanded the French fleet which
visited Cronstadt some time ago.; and
who is said to have arranged with the
cZar the prellminaries of the Franco
Russian entente, which were cemented
by the visit of the Russian feetvIast
fall. 1t was, noticed ithatc Admiral
Garvais was somewhat excited during
the preliminary discussions and intro
ductions of the members of the commits.
sion, but the members were aStounded
WHEN THE ADMIRAL,
uDon being introduced to NJ. Pierre
GuIeysse. formerly marine engineer,
member of the commission and of the
chamber of deputies, refused to shake
hands with him.
mo. sir; will not shake hands with
YOU" exclaimed tine admiral.
MAY L ask why?" asked NJ. .Guieysse
Because you read in the chamoer of
deputies a telegram about the transport
Rance, and consider your action dis
honorable"
Nj. Guieysse managed to control mis-
temper, and the incident was believed
to have ended, though several of the
members of the commission felt cohsi6-
erably disturbed at the attitude assumed
by Admiral Gervais. Later, while the
commission was in session, M Lockroy,
in referring to the charges which he had
brought in the, chamber of deputies
against the navy of France. took occa-
sion to praise the officers of the French
navy.
Admiral Gervais. who had been listen
ing to NJ. Lockroy'S remarks. with many
signs of impatience, suddenly ex-
claimed, very hotly:
The officers of the navy have No need
of your praises, and l decline them in
their name"
A scene of considerable confusion
followed, during which the minister of
marine, Admiral LIE Fevre, declared
that the matter had reached a stage
which required that the incidents re-
terred to in this dispatch must be dis
cdSSed by the government, and he fur
ther intimated
THAT THE CABINET .
would this morning take the behavior
of Admiral GervaiS into consideration.
Admiral Gervais in February, 1892, was !
promoted to the office of vice admiral
and was made chief of the general staff
of the ministry of marine. He is
commander Of the Legion of Honor, and
has held a number of most important
positions under the government. In
addition to commanding the French
fleet which visited CronStadt in 1891. he
was in command of the French fleet
which the same year visited Portsmouth
at the express invitation of the queen;efbl
England. ep; 81
During the Franco-Prussian wapshs
took an active part in the defense OF
Paris, particularly distinguishing hunT
self in the attack made Sept. 4, fSfl, ]
upon the PruSsian position on the hills
about HauteS Bruyeres. and at theFensI
gagement Oh Nov. 80. at the Mars aux
B9ufS, for which he was named indhe
order of the day. 8 j