New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-11

Washington. Sir EdmunOs speech is Sun TIC
sensation Of the hour 1t is bitterly denounced
In private conversation by Baron de Cource,
the retiring French Ambassador at the Court OF
ST. James who is perhaps the best French
dplomatist OF the Third Republic having fam
iIy connections with the old school. his father
having been Taeyrand's confidential secretary.
Nothing more forcbly illustrates the newly
acquired influence Of the United States with the
French public than the eagerness with which
American comments on Sir Edmund Monson's
speech are read in Paris. The journal des
Debats" the Temps" the Figaro the
"Gaulos." TIE "Aurore' and the "Republique
FRANCHISE" publish to-day extracts from the
editorial comments Of nineteen American news
papers on the effects Of the British Ambassadors
discourse, thereby attributing unusual weight to
American opinion on exclusively European
question.
The Official reports Of the movement Of the
French population were issued on Wednesday
for the year 1897 during which the total number
Of births was $50 1000 as against $4,000 births
for the year 1896. In military and colonial
circles the apprehension caused by this decrease
is further emphasized by the discovery that the
French population contains smaller number or
/ men and women OF what are termed the ahle-
bodied ages namely. from fifteen TO nity-nve
wears in the case Of men, and to forty-1ve in
the case of women than II did thirty years ago.
The number Of men capable Of bearing arms.
which has been stationary for forty years, shows
slight falling off. even after due allowance Is
made for loss of territory These figures. just
! published by the Ministry Of Commerce. are be-
! ing taken seriously to heart by the colonial
party, whose desire to acquire new fields in
Africa and Asia is nevertheless as keen as
| ever.
The chair IN the French Academy to which
NJ Henri Lavedan has been elected by ma
! jority Of nineteen votes has since the institution
OF the Academy by Cardinal Richeieu. in 1887.
when it was occupied by La Bruyere. been held
almost constantly by dramatst. although 1t
was the very fauteuil from which Moere was
rejected, because ne also actor. During
/ the present generation its occupants were La
biche and Meilhac 1t Is singular comment on
the Academys generation for pure. classic
| French that the latest Immortal should be
markable for his Of the fashionable slang
| OF the boulevard most Of the catching phrases
OF which ne has himself invented But II NJ.
| Lavedan wrote the boisterous, irreverent "Nou-
| veau Jeu" he also made bid for his election
| among the forty by his chaste and correct
| Catherine"
Notwithstanding the loud praise Of the
| Partisan press OF the Opera ConiQue building
! opened Wednesday, the true feeling and impress
sions Of the public those OF disappointment.
| The dazzling brilliancy OF the white and gold
auditorium. with the crimson drapery OF the
boxes is certainly effective. and contrasts we'll
| with the blue and yellow tints OF Benjamin Con-
stants ceiling; but the rest OF the house is over
decorated. and. with the exception Of the first
| tier boxes. the places are narrow and confined.
! Electricity Is the exclusive motive power for
placing the scenery. The dressing rooms for the
| actors and actresses arranged In three
stories and supplied with all the latest app-
ances for their convenience.
| La Refine Fiammette." dramatic fable"
! in five acts and IN verse. by Catulle Mendes IN
| which years ago NJ Capoul made a sensational
| and unsuccessful debut as an actor. was brought
| out in altered form al the Odeon on Thursday,
but in spite Of the clever acting OF Nine
SECOND Weber Is not likely to last long. The
Resultat des Courses" fve-act comedy, by
Brieux was produced last night at the Theatre
Antoine, and will not add to the authors repu-
taton. 1t is study Of the working classes.
with a pointed moral to the danger of bet
ting on horseraces II resembles a common
place report from the police courts. 'Veronique.
/ a graceful little operetta in three acts. by NJ.
| Andre Messenger. given this evening at the
Bouffes Parisens and furnished Nine. Marietta
| Sully with an opportunity 70 sing some catching
airs which were well received. The theatrical
success of the week however is La Poudre dc
| Perlinpinpn" a grand fairy Play in four acts
| and thirty FIVE tsbeaus prodced at the Thea
| tire du Chatedet 1t Is an adaptation Of fairy
| tale written in 1141. by Comte Caylus. entitled
lie Roi Courtebotte ct Ia Princesse Zibeline,"
| which was, In It's turn. transformed by the
| brothers Cognari In 1888. into play called
| "Perlinpnpin." And now NM. Ernest Blum and
I Pierre Decourcelle have again reshaped 1t into a
! fantastic spectacular play which seems destined
to through the whole winter season at the
Chatelet The ballet representing the realms Of
| Porceaine, in which the dancers attired as
services Of Savres. Dresden. Delft Royal Worces-
ter Rouen and Limoge china made decided hit.
"Poudre de Perlinpinpin' Is superbly staged II
is perhaps the finest display of the sort produced
in Paris since "Excensior'' at the Eden Theatre
fifteen years ago.
Among the Americans In Paris are Mrs ogden
Goelet and General and Mrs Charles A. Whittier.
General Whittier. who arrived from Manila on
Sunday. will soon proceed by way Of London to
Washington. Marquis and Ma ~quise Breteuil
formerly Miss Garner. Of NewYork. have re-
turned to Paris after a short visit 10 America
The Marquis is selling of all his horses and re
placing them by motor carriages. Of which he
and his wife have become enthusiastic anna
tours Mrs Griswold Grey has gone to Palermo
TO pass the winter. taking with her her niece
Miss Ethel Irwin. Mrs William Roosevelt In
tends to join Mrs Grswold Grey in Sicily Mrs
Larbeck and Miss Won Hassperg have left Paris
l for Egypt by Of Brindsi. Mrs. Grant and
Miss Tolfrey have taken a villa at Mentone
where Mrs John w. Mackay intends visit
them shortly. Mrs David King and her daugh
ter have also left Paris for the South.
!. Among the passengers who sailed on La
Bretagne are Mrs a. Bishop Mason. Mrs Will
ian F King Captain Stchensnovitch, Of the
Russian Navy and Mrs. Stchensnovitch; Cap
dnrA military affachG Of III.