New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-03
tBY CABLE TO TBK TRIBUNE,
1898. By The Tribuas hssocf1sfon-

Paris. Nov "A Ministry is changed in France
as easily a man takes off one coat and puts on
another. What is known Ministerial crisis
hardly suffices to quicken the sale Of the after
noon Journals The Ribot Government has gone
down without warning and Radical Cabinet
under NJ. Bourgeois has arisen, but excitement
there has been none, and the temperature OF
political discussion in the streets has not risen
a degree. Indeed, popular interest In the change
Of government has centred upon President Faure
II was the first emergency OF this kind which has
occurred since his election TO the Presidency and
there was some curiosity respecting his manner
Of dealing with 1t. lie has not betrayed any ex-
element and has disclosed Of 1t as though It were
nothing serious but onv ordinary matter OF
executive detail He popular before. and his
prestige has increased this week. The French
people wish to believe that the stability Of their
Constitution is not impaired by frequent changes
Of Ministry. VI. Faure has confirmed this belief
by the GOODNESS and cynical indifference which he
has displayed.
The defeat Of the Ribot Ministry was surprise
to all factions The opening week of the session
had closed with the Carma debate, from
which the Government emerged without discredft
and with the record Of having maintained public
order with frmness and dignity under conditions
OF great difficulty when the temptation to palter
and temporize extremely strong The NADIA
gascar expedition had not been discussed, but.
severe as the structures might be upon the man.
agement Of the enterprise. the final success OF the
French arms seemed to have rescued the Gov
ernment from defeat that question. the
Southern Railway scandal had been discussed
twice already and nobody suspected that the
third debate would resul. seriously. The Cham
ber was crowded because public curiosity was
x,~,.1r Ifgr1. TIM
plicating legislators. but the Government was not
thought to be in danger. VI. Rouanet, Socialist
Deputy made feeble speech which did not re-
veal a single new fact and was received In silence.
Two Bonapartists followed him without producing
a better effect They tol nothing that was not
already known but placed the Government on It's
defence by laying stress upon the removal OF NJ.
Chenest who had insisted upon proceeding
against several Deputies.
Premier Ribot might have saved the Govern
ment by ascending the Tribune himself and max
ing one Of his aggressive speeches but he did not
intervene NJ Trareux, Minister Of Justice, took
his place and contented himself with formai
denial Of the allegation that there was evidence
TO Justify the prosecution of the political suspects
named in "Figaro's' list. Although two other
speeches were made against the Government II
was the weak defence Of the Minister OF Justice
/
the debate seriously, and paid the penalty in re-
ceivng two adverse votes.
President Faure accepted the designations OF
the Ministers without a moments hesitation, ana
gave a dinner party as though nothing had hap
| nened He talked over the situation with the
| Presidents of the two Chambers, according 10
custom and in a day Or two VI. Bourgeois had MS
list of new Ministers virtually completed II was
ranid work and was attended with little difficulty
! or excitement Whether so radical Cabinet can
hold its ground and dispose OF the Madagascar
credits and the military reforms is open to ques-
tion but the facility with. which NJ. Faure re-
placed Ribot the Moderate with Bourgeois the
Radical is a sign that ne recognizes the wish OF
Parliament which according to the traditions OF
the French Republic. is omnipotent
English procedure would have required Cab
met headed by NJ. Rouanet or VI. Binder. who
were nominaly responsible for NJ. Ribots defeat
According 10 the American practice the Ministers
ought not TO be dependent upon the VIII OF Far-
lament France Is neither England nor America.
but a law unto herself. The precedent was estab-
ushed n century ago that Parliament should
govern as well as egisate. The Ministry whicn
has been in office ten months was turned out at
| the pleasure Of the Chamber. and another was
installed in its place. The new Ministry may be
overturned in a few weeks or months with equal
| consciousness The process has been in opere-
| tion twenty-five years. during which period there
! have been thirty-four Ministries and thirty Pre-
miers According to English or American ideas.
the system is illogical and wrong but II emoodies
the French conception of an all-powerful ParIia-
| ment and is suited 10 the genius OF people VINO
have never been lacking in political intelligence
President Faures course certainly was logical;
! since a Moderate Premier had failed TO govern
with the help Of the Radicals. he chose Radical
Premier who would have chance OF showing
whether he could govern with support from the
Moderates
NJ Bourgeois Is a man Of ability. who has called
10 his aid a group Of strong Radicals including
| NM. Peytral. Cavagnac aud Lockroy. He can
not command a majority OF the Deputies nor
! could any other leader. but he Will not be with
out large resources Of tact and authority. The
retirement Of NJ Hanotsux is a misfortune. since
he has been a strong Minister OF Foreign Affairs
and has shown himself to be a statesman OF real
force OF character Strenuous Efforts were made
to induce him to remain IN office. but he declined
| with inhexible hrmness evidently assuming that
the Madagascar settlement would be reversed or
| modified by the incoming Govern ment HIS fears
were well grounded, since NJ. Cavagnac Is the
strongest man in the new Cabinet and Is known
| to have been opposing the protectorate treaty.
He may also have reasoned that the new Radical
Government under NJ. Cavaisnac's influence VIII
take strong ground In favor OF progressive In
come taxation and drastic military reforms ana
be speedily upset; and that II would be impolitie
for him to Identify himself with the Ministry.
NJ Bourgeois has found II most difhcuit to ~
place NJ Hanotaux. but NJ. Berthelot, the we'll
known chemist. Is named as his probable suc-
cessor He Is something more than a school
Al In hA al A
Cabinet and has a taste for public life. but 10
not regarded as a strong for the Foreign
ONCE. Several changes may be made in the
Cabinet list before the Chambers assemble
Forecasts are always hazardous In French