The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-19

The Fall of the Ministry IL Probably I'M
pending.


PARIS, Feb. 17-France has always
been the despair OF political prophets.
Evils which have been foretold for her
have rarely come to pass, while great
dramatic events In her history have
seldom been foreshadowed. For this
reason. II for no other the lovers of
France can afford to receive with much
skepticism the disheartening and terrible
prophecies which are made to-day by
many men who ordinarily are conser' atiVe
in their judgment of political situations.
There are many prominent men in Paris
tonight. senators, deputies. and jour
nalists. who do not hesitate TO declare
their belief that France is on the eve of
another revolution. This gloomy talk has
been increasing for months past. The
crisis is certainly serious. but | do not
share the Respondent opinions Of the sit
uation which are held in some quarters.
Important changes are probably i'm
pending, including not only the fall of the
present Cabinet, but perhaps a serious
deadlock in the Government, and posi-
bly, the dissolution Of the Chamber and
the downfall Of President Faure. Ii is
cowardly and almost absurd 10 say. as
some do. that republican Institutions will
be unable 10 bear the strain which may
be put upon them.
II is some indication Of the state of pub
lie feeling that an evening newspaper de
clares today, with great emphasis ard
gravity, that a plot for the overthrow Of
the Republic has been perfected within
"A month a. Brussels by Prince Victor
Napoleon and the Duke OF Orleans This
seems 10 be taken soberly instead of as
a Joke by most people.
The facts which are the nominal cause
of this crisis are well known The Senate
has. two or three times within a few
days. passed votes which virtually mean
mo confidence" in the present Ministry
The Chamber has voted the other way.
and the Bourgeois Ministry has decided TO
remain I'm Office. Not only that. but the
Cabinet has exploited the action of n
Chamber as a virtual vote Of CEN
against the Senate. In fact. the Cabinet
backed, as It believes II g.. by the Chan
her is defyins the Senate This raises a
constitutional question which is both
grave and unprecedented. The Cabinet
is Jointly responsible 10 both Houses and
the action which the Ministers are taking
Is practically a coup de'e'at
The Senate Ike every political authority
in France, Is jealous or its prerocatives.
Nobody imagines that IL Will 90 less than
enforce It's authority. unless driven from
Luxembourg by q mob. 1t is the Cham
Der OF Deputies which is more likely 10
recede from its position. The lower House
has nominaiiy d majority Of Moderates
in spite Of IFS tolerance OF a Radical Cab
met
The reason why II rcfrains from turn
Ing out Premier Po''~ooo'~ a-d his asso-
Gates IS that everybody breads the
net crisis which wOuia follow IL re
Ia Heal and Socialist minority in
Chamber which creates most Of the tur-
mol IN French politics and causes fire.
quent Cabinet changes. until il has come
70 pass that no Moderate leaders are
left who are able and willing TO carry on
the Government
IL was for this reason and no other that
President FaUre with the consent OF his
own Moderate followers. tried the exper;-
ment Of giving the Radicals a chance
70 govern. They have done better on the
whole than was expected OF them: or
rather, they have done less mischief
The Southern Railway scandal. which il
the nominal cause OF the Senafe's oppo-
siiion, is merely the instrument which bas
been resorted TO FOR putting an end 10
their career. Such are overt facts. AT
present the situation. as have said IS
one OF delcacy and danger. but does not
warrant yet the Respondent views taken
by many politicians. New York Sun.