Evening journal., 1896-02-20
THE CRISIS IN FRANCE.
Conflict Between Senate and
Ministry Continues.
is FEARED BY MANY.

iAttie Doubt, hoWoNors Ihot the Acpupho
WIN he Prescrved-Frenziod AIcrrlment
Amid Gravest Rumors-Heported Rosig-
nation of Minister Ricnrd.
NEW YORK, Feb. 20.--The Suns Paris
correspondent says;
Tho hour Is drawing near when we shall
know whether there Is any justification
for the gloomy fears that the revolutionary
period In France Is 10 be reopened. In
spite of grave rumors of plots and conspira-
Clos, In spite OF certain signs OF popular
unrest, In spite Of the serious difficulties
OF the pending political crisis, am unable
to discover adequate cause for the belief
which exists In certain quarters that the
present constitution and government Of
frauce are about 10 be overthrown. ad-
mlt that President Fauro's experiment in
intrusting the executive government Of
tho country TO the Radicals and seml-So-
clalists Is proving more dangerous than
was anticipated j admit that these men
and others ara probably preparing 60 defy
the constitution; admit that they are 70
lying vaguely upon popular support Of
their rash course; ] admit that there is
possibility Of the success Of tho miserable
secret plots for driving President Fauro
from Office, but all these Vaccinations
reckon without tho new conservatism, the
new reserve OF tho public opinion OF
France.
There Is no great national discomfort,
no popular resentment against the senate,
which tho Radical leaders would like to
fan into revolutionary flame. The French
people, especially tho PRrisinns, have given
up the past three OF Iour days TO merry
-. u IL
popular frenzy. The government, instead
Of restraining the public tendency 10 go to
extremes in such demonstrations, as has
been the policy for many years has tacit-
ly encouraged all manner Of mad excesses,
and some Of the scenes connected with the
mardi grns celebrations In tho streets Of
Paris have been beyond description. Some
observers attach sinister meaning to this
fact but this is going far in search " a
reason for pessimism.
Conflict Of Senate and Cabinet.
The past 4s hours have sharpcnod the
lines Of tho impending. political conflict
between the cabinet aud the senate. IL Is
now generally believed that the ministers
have deliberately raised the issue and in
tend 20 force it b. q conclusion. II Is oven
more certain that the sennt9 will resist to
its last resource the attempt 20 subordinate
its will and authority 20 those Of the lower
house. The situation is In ono sense sim
liar 10 thai which ofton exists between tho
sonnto and the house ut Washington or be-
tween the lords and commons In England,
but IL is unprecedented In France and has
very different significance under tho
French constitution, which makes the cab
met responsible to both houses Of the leg
| islnture.
The Bourgeois cabinet. after making a
! statement which virtually gives 20 a vote
Of confidence IN the chsmber the signid-
canoe 10 docs not legitlmatoiy posseas, Of
oensure upon the senate, has decided TO do
nothing further until the senate shall take
tho Initiative at its session on Friday. Tho
Moderates in ths chamber, however, arc
go alarmed by the situation that thoy will
probably make some effort at tomorrow s
session either 20 outvota tho government
OF otherwise deprive them OF tho backing
Of the lower house in the fight against the
senate.
Tho deadlock, at all events, will not
last long, for now that the Radicals have
shown their teeth they will bo fought des-
perntcly both IN and out OF parliament
Perhaps 10 Will DO the best thing In tho
end II tho plans OF the plotters be allowed
10 develop little further, in order TO ex-
pose the dangers more clearly and arousa
public sentiment 20 meet them.