The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-11-03
A CRISIS IN FRANCE.
Brisson Ministry Forced to
Resign.
CHANOINE THE FIRST TO GIVE Vi
Failure to Avenge tho Insults to the
Army Led to the Dowfall Of
the Government.

Army Led to the Dowfall Of
tho Government
Paris, Oct. 27.-Minister of War
Chanoine resigned his portfolio, fol-
lowed later by the resignation OF the
entire Brisson ministry.
Strong bodies OF police were sta
toned in the neighborhood of the
Palace Bourbon and the Place de la
Concorde this morning to prevent the
projected demonstration at the opening
of the chamber of deputies.
There was considerable disorder
about the approaches of the Palace
Bourbon. Members of the League of
Patriots, who were crossing Palace de
la Concorde, shouted ''Vive larme, :"
and republican guards were obliged
to clear passage. A conflict with the
police ensued, in which a number of
anti-Semites attacked and injured the
commissary Of police, with loaded
canes. The ringleader, M. Guerin,
president of the Anti-Semitic League.
was arrested. When M. Drummont,
the anti-Semitic leader arrived. there
were further disturbances. with cries
of ''Down with the Jewsp' and cheer
ing for France.
The session of the chamber of depu-
ties had no sooner opened that M. De-
rouledo made violent attack upon the
minister Of war, General Chanoine,
whereupon the latter arose and ex-
planned the conditions under which he
accepted the portfolio. In so doing he
declared he was of the same opinion as
his predecessors, referring to the ques-
ton of reopening the Dreyfus case. a
remark which was greeted with cheers
and protests. When Chanoine was
able to resume speaking, he asserted he
was guardian of the honor of the army,
and concluded with saying angrily:
81 place in your hands the trust I re.
ceived, and tender my resignation in
this tribune"
After Chanoine's resignation, Pre-
mier Brisson stated that the govern
ment was fully determined to uphold
civil power against the military. The
house suspended business that the pre-
mier might notify President Faure of
Chanoine's resignation. During the
suspension committees of the various
parties agreed to support the order Of
the day and postpone interpretations
until Friday. The senate, after a
brief session, adjourned.
After the chamber of deputies had
resumed at 5 O'Clock. M. Brisson an
nounced that the irregular resignation
of General Chanoine had been accept
ed, and that his successor ad interim
was appointed this evening. The pre-
mier then proposed that the chamber
adjourn until Friday next, and con-
cluded his remarks with reafirming
the supremacy of the civil power.
After attempts On the part of the
various deputies to discuss the alleged
military plots. the insults to the army,
ETC., their remarks being punctuated
with Interruptions and cheers, M. Ri
bot, in behalf of his friends, including
M. Meline, approved M. Brisson g state
ment and added:
we have every confidence in the
army. and do not wish to- see it at
tackled. All republicans are united on
this subject"
M. DeMahy then proposed resolu-
ton calling upon the government to
end the campaign Of insult against the
army, but Brisson refused to accept it.
M. Cavaignac. the ex-minister of
war, then rushed to the tribune and
demanded an immediate discussion Of
the resolution. He was greeted with
hostile shouts, including "Sabrep
C"Forgery'O "Razorl' which caused a
great uproar. The shouting of the
word razor" was an allusion to the
suicide of Lieutenant Colonel Henry,
who is said to have cut his throat in
his cell at the fortress of Montevalerien
after confessing to having forged one
Of the Dreyfus documents, though it
has since been claimed the razor with
which the deed was committed was not
found in the cell of deceased.
M. B1isson then accepted the order
of the day, proposed by M. Ribot.
affirming the supremacy of the civil
over the military power. Several OF
the deputies attempted to speak, but
their voices were drowned in the up
roar which followed in the chamber.
The order Of the day was apopted by a
vote of $50 ayes to noes. An amend
ment proposed by M. Berge. censuring
the government, ''for not causing the
honor of the army to be respected. !"
was lost by 274 to 261 votes. n. De-
Manly then again proposed his resolu-
ton calling upon the government to
end the campaign of insult against the
army" The president refused to ac-
oept the motion, however, and . vote
was taken on it, amid so much confu-
sion that scrutiny was demanded.
Later. this showed that the government
was defeated by vote OF 296 to 243.
After the result of the scrutiny had
been announced, N. Beteau moved a
vote of confidence in NJ. Brisson, which
was rejected, $50 to 254. When this
vote was declared, the ministers left
the chamber.
-