The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-18
noYAL,srs ESTIMATING CHANCES.

| equivocal conduct in the Panama affair.
| ROYALIsTs ESTIMATING CHANCES.
| Affect to Believe the People Arc
| Tired of II Republic.
| New York, February IA dispatch to
| the Tribune from Paris says Now that
| the first emotion and surprise caused by
the sudden death of Felix Fnure have
passed away, there is. contrary to ex
pectaton, not the slightest trace of ag-
taton or OF political excitement on the
part OF the public Even the sadness that
characterized the crowds at the news of
the death of President Carnot is now alb
sent. The apparent Indifference of the
Parisians at the loss of the president CT
observers with amazement and is inter-
preted by the Bonapartsts and royalists
as an indication that the people are tired
of a republic and would welcome a change
In the regime
Such is the Yiew most emphatically ex-.
pressed this afternoon by Paul de Cas-
sagnac who in a conversation IN the lobby
of the chamber of deputies remarked to the
Tribunes correspondent: 1.-THE unseemly
haste of the republicans to elect new
president is a sure sign of the apprehen-'
sions caused by the present attitude of
the people toward pretenders. The DEM.
onstrations that have nightly been taxi
ing place at the Noveau theater in the
patriotic drama, "Roi de Rome may soon
be transferred to the streets of Paris. A
plebiscite would prove that tho French
people and the French army are united
and true to Napoleonic traditions"
When asked whether he considered the
moment ripe for Prince Victor to act and
place himself at the head of his followers,
NJ. Cassagnac replied: That is more than
/ can say; at all events until we know
whom the republicans will choose for their
president"
This was interpreted by those who over
heard the conversation as an admission
that the Bonapartists are by no means pre- .
pared for a coup detat which, owing to re- /
cent tampering with officers of the army of
all grades, affected by the Patriotic League
at alleged imperalist instigation, has
caused grave uneasness to those repub-
Leans who believe the army should be sub
ordnated to the civil authority.
When urged to express an opinion of the !
most likely candidate for Che presidency 4
NJ. Cassagnac replied: with the excep-
lion of Deschanet. the president of the
all the republican candidates are |
extinct volcanoes. Loubet has not a spark |
Of energy or vim left. He was, in fact, |
born an old man. Then there is De Frey
'inet; he is n man who missed his oppor-
unities years ago, but he might receive, /
is a sort of milk and water compromise, |
he election.
In my opinion, the best man the re-
public could put to the front would be \
bearing in mind that |
neither Zurlinden nor any general would |
ARE to personify an atheist republic about
which there is such strange fatality, for
10 president has been able to live quietly |
through the seven years of Office pre-
cribed by the constitution
Il deeply sympathize with Madame
'aure and the family; but Felix Faure
han he found il and this is entirely his |
wn fault. The imperial accolades that he
eceived had completely turned his head !
nd such religious and Roman Catholic
mblems MS the Golden Fleece and the
Innunciation did not extinguish his am
ition rs Free Mason, ("
George S. Cemenceau, when asked by
he Tribune correspondent what effect
he death of Felix Faure would have on
he revision of the Dreyfus trial, said he
lad made 1t q rule never to state his ideas
n the form of an Interview, but in the
curse of conversation II was apparent
hat he felt convinced that il NJ. Dupuy
+ any one known to be equally opposed
> revision were elected. it would to
se Mr.. Clemenceaus own words, mean
War! Civil war."
NJ, Clemenceau felt convinced that the
had firmly resolved TO at
empt coup dotat and had secured .
lrge military following TO back them up,
nj that the suddenness of President
'aures death had taken them by surprise {
nd completely disconnected their plans.
Clemenceau's outlook for the imme-
late future of the republic was most de-
pondent and Cassandra-like
After long talk with him Il was n !
'lief TO converse with NJ. Ribot, who was
rime minister at the outset of President !
aure's presidency, and who, perhaps,
'mes near TO American ideas OF true and
amen, yet conservative republicanism
ian any living Frenchman. NJ Ribot felt
Dsolutely confident that the republic had
serious danger TO fear from the Bona!
artists, much less from royalists, whomJ !
=. Rihot considered practically dead as a !
llitical factor In the France of today. |