The San Francisco call., 1899-11-23
THE RED FLAG I'm PARIS.

FRANCES Parliament gave promise OF sem
sation on Tuesday. Scarcely had the Chamber
OF Deputies got ready for business than a Re-
publican member and asked who had authorized
the display OF red flags at the ceremonies in connec
ton with the unveing OF the statue OF the republic
on the previous day. He is reported to have added
to his question little sarcasm in the form OF COM
pliment President Loubet for his tact in turning
his head and looking in another direction when the
red flags appeared
In reply to the question NJ Waldeck-Rousseau
spoke like statesman who is sure OF his ground
What he said virtually amounted to declaration that
while the Government had not authorized the dis
play OF red flags, neither had it forbidden such dis
play. In fact, the Government is not afraid OF the
red flag nor OF those who carry it. The demonstra-
ton OF popular esteem for President Loubet was a
proof the people are not inclined to revolution and
therefore there is no need OF repressve measures
against persons who like to make show OF revolu-
tionary desires. Moreover, he declared 1T is
less to endeavor to excite public opinion by raising
the red flag bogey done fifty years ago."
The question and the reply show the temper of
France. There still few persons who delight to
wave the red flag in the eyes OF conservatism, and
there still some conservatives who are alarmed by
the waving. The time, however, when the Govern
ment could be frightened has gone by The present
Ministry neither to suppress the revolutoniss
does it to them as a means OF frighten-
ing the people into consentng to the establishment
OF a military tyranny as was done by Louis Napoleon
fifty years ago.
On the showing made the outlook for France, for
President Loubet and for the Wadeck-Rousseau
Ministry is bright The Government has confidence
in itself, and that in will obtain for it the conf
dence OF the public. When Paris is so we'll ordered
that Ministers do become excited over the appear
OF red flags great public demonstrations it is
evident things going we'll and there is no danger
OF disturbance.
1t will be remembered that when the Cabinet
took office there predictions it would not last
long 1t was said TO be compromise Ministry, rep
resentng particular party and called 10 Office only
to carry the country the crisis in the retria OF
Dreyius The Ministry, however has had the good
fortune TO include among its members one OF those
rare who ordained by fate to come forth
at critical emergencies and prove themselves to be
the right in the right place at the right time
Premier Waldeck- Rousseau may not be strong or
wise but in the War Department there is statesman
OF the first order. General Galliiet has been do
ing a remarkable work in clearing the general
staff and incidentally the army OF the gang who made
such scandal as that OF Dreyius possible He has
won golden opinions from all sorts OF people, and he
is known TO be resolute and courageous. With such
man in command OF the army there need be no
fear OF red flags OF military conspracies His
influence has been felt throughout the country and
thanks TO il, it is quite probable the Waldeck-
Rousseau Ministry will hold Office long enough to
see the exposition of next year brought to close
and the republic entering safely upon new fields of
eudeayOr