The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-29

quiet months of it, and indications null
tiply now that his qualities are to be put
to sharper test. 1t is obvious that when
the French Chamber meets next month
there will be great deal said about Mad
agascar. If the Deputies were in session
now it is plain enough that Ribot's Min
istry would have difficult job to main
tain itself against the popular rage over
this terrible expedition. Nothing can
save it if another three weeks record of
mismanagement, falsehood and hideous
waste of life is added to the Madagascar
tragedy without counterbalancing news
that General Duchesne has captured the
Hova capital. 1t is doubtful if even this
note of triumph will be shrlll enough to
avail against the lamentations and curses
of the French people over this wicked sac
rifice of their sons.
The issue is recognized to be uncertain,
and, accordingly, the boulevards are busy
with rumors of dissolution and sort of
coup detat. These gossips predict that
Waldeck Rousseau will be chosenP resident
of the Senate; that the scrutin de liste
will be readopted, and that Constans, re-
turning to the Ministry of the Interior.
will manage the new elections and so Sc
cure powerful reactionary majority.
These are all familiar prophecies. Their
appearance now merely signifies that the
politicians are getting ready for another
shuttle of the ministerial cards. There is,
however, a practical as well as sentimental
issue impending in French politics. The
national debt now amounts to S7,000000,-
600 and the deficits increase every year,
yuh Ia fav l1r Inn
possible.
In good times the French did not mind
this, but accepted it cheerfully as the price
that they must pay for their dream of re-
covering Alsace and Lorraine; but the
permanent bad times which settled down
upon France for five years of stupid pro-
lection have wrought tremendous mate
rial mischief. The new statistical report
of the Ministry of Finance reveals worse
situation than ever. Up to 1890, when
the high tariff was adopted. the
French foreign trade showed steady an
nual gain; since then it has sustained an
even worse and more regular dimlnution,
the total falling off in the four years OF
combined exports and imports being over
$3.50, ,OO0. 900.
What makes the thing harder to bear is
the spectacle of Germany's constant ma
terial advance. In 1880 Frances total for
eign trade exceeded Germany's by $272,-
600, 600; now, on the figures for 1894, Ger
many's total exceeds Frances by $470, ,OOO,-
900.
In the face of this immense shrinkage of
the national resources, with the ruinous
losses of Panama fresh in their minds and
the certainty that new burdens must be
laid on the public to meet these huge bills
for colonial expansion, it would not be sur
pris,ng if the French middle-class began
to look askance at the Russian alliance,
which is based so largely on the theory
that France has illimitable money to lend,
and which is so fertile in suggestion for
scattering gold in all directions.
Thoughtful men who have not been
pessimists here before like Jules Roche
are pointing out now that France cannot
bear the load that she is carrying, let alone
embark in fresh adventures. This feeling
that change of some sort must be made
is undoubtedly growing. and it may
result in substituting for the Ribot
Cabinet more cautious and economical
administration.
At all events the French ardor for
spending money is just now at low ebb,
and it is suspected that the King of the
Belgians finds less eager bidding for his
Congo title than he anticipated. He is
still in Paris, and it is noted that he is
taking extraordinary pains to make him.
self popular in the streets and in public
gatherings.
tits legitimate to guess, too. that he has
not believed all that he has heard about
the incorruptibility of the Partisan press,
for it is advertising him with enthusiasm.
There is good deal of talk about his
willingness to throw in Belgian friendship
as consideration to the Congo bargain,
but this is very empty nonsense. Bel.
Cbnttnued on Elrh Page -.