The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-18
FUSE is LIT
For Another Revolutionary Ex-
plOsiOn in France.
ConstitutionDefied by theCham-
Der of Deputies.
Senate Demands Investigation
of Railway Scandals.
Cabinet Said to Contemplate a
Coup d. Etat.
The Newspapers Print Excited
and EXcitable Editorials,
BUT THE PEOPLE
Are Apparently Apathetic and
Do Not Appreciate
The Gravity of the Situation,
Which is Serious.

pondent of the Pail Mall Gazette, tele-
graphs that the political situation in
France is growing more serious. Those
who are best informed" this CORES
pondent writes, "consider that the cabinet
has card up its sleeve, which will cause
considerable surprise. 1t is certain that
the ministry means to stop where it is
and there is possibility of q coup d'etat.
The government may declare its inten-
ton to govern without the senate.
IA statesman tells me that the obstacle
is Gen. Saussier, the governor of Paris,
and generalissimo in case of war. Saus-
sier is old, opposed to a change, and pre-
pared to march against a revolutionary
movement with the utmost vigor. A few
months ago he said to one of the Moder-
ate ministers in power: keep me SO
long as you possibly can. You will need
me and one regiment to master the Paris
ian populace, and with Saussier the sol
diers obey their chief
Henry Rochefort remarked to me yes
terday: seven years ago two lines in
the Intrapsigeante (Rocheforps news
paper) headed Down with the Sc nateP
would have sufficed for 100000 men 10
Immediately march upon the Luxemburg
(the building formerly a palace of roy
atty and also used by Napoleon which in
1870 was named the palace of the senate.
That body now occupies it during its ses-
sions) Now there is such lassitude that
u column would not call dozen men TO
arms
"a radical leader said to me today: If
a pretender is willing to risk his life, he
would now have a chance of winning the
game
"The radicals prove that they regard
the situation as revolutionary by deciding
that the parliamentary bureau shall sit.
Thia ia onhO nf the r9VnlnrIOn-
"The latest information is that the
senate hopes, on Friday to pass a vote of
censure against the government by even
more crushing majority than on Satur-
day"
The political crisis in France has
arisen ont of the demand of the senate
for a vigorous and thorough inquiry into
the Southern railway scandals, that body
having emphasized its attitude in
the matter by twice refusing
vote of confidence in the Bour-
geois ministry, is now practically
a struggle between the chamber of dep
uiies, which has supported the radical
ministry, and the senate, which seems
bent upon overthrowing it, even at the
cost of ministerial disturbances. How
ever, in spite of the acute crisis and the
possibility of the downfall of the Bour-
geois ministry even a dissolution of
the parliament there has been little or
NO excitement here outside Of the news
paper offices.
But it is claimed that the resignation
of the ministry would not alter matters
to any great degree, as it appears to be
no longer question OF confidence or of
nom confidence in the cabinet. The
chamber of deputies, it is asserted, has
practically, by defying the senate, en-
dangered the constitution and the result
is a condition of affairs about as threat
ening as any siuce the troublesome
times of 1870-71.
The newspapers nre filed with excited
articles and vivid reproductions of inter
views with political leaders md many of
them have expressed the opinion that a
constitutional solution of the problem is
i'm possible.
The Conservatives and Socialists de-
mand dissolution of parliament and
the Moderates and Republicans agree
that dissolution is advisable, but they
claim it should take place under another
cabinet.
Today NJ. Bourgeois, the premier, in
formed the members of the left that the
government does not desire to again
raise the question of confidence in the
chamber OF deputies on Thursday next,
preferring to wait for further action on
the part of the senate.