New-York tribune., 1899-07-07

the consequent Socialist demonstration at Long,
champs, the inevitable collapse OF the Dupuy
Ministry, and the jealousies OF the various Re-
publican parliamentary groups, which make IL
so difficult to form a new Cabinet
= Two attempts TO constitute Cabinets Of so
called Republican concentration" have sgnally
I failed The Socialists and Extreme Radicals
refused to accept NJ. Poncare's proposed Cabi-
! net because 1t contained moderate Republicans
! like NM. Barthou and Ribot. The Moderate
, Republicans were three days later in open revolt
at the idea Of the proposed Ministry OF NJ. Wal
deck Rousseau with a Socialist in it Ike VI.
Millerand Since the death OF Gambetta no
single group has ever had a working jority in
the Chamber. II Is by Republican concentra-
tion"-the system OF blending in various rapidly
succeeding Ministries the representatives Of the
different Republican groups-that France has
been governed
NO LONGER PRACTICABLE.
In the opinion Of NJ. CorneIy, the leader writer
in the Figaro" whose efforts toward securing
a new trial for Dreyfus second only to
those Of Colonel Picquart and Of NJ. Emile Zoa.
this group system is no longer practicable Such
is also the view Of NJ Ranc who points out
that the Moderate Republican group. which is
by far the largest group in both houses, is two
quarter Of the whole Parliament This figure
has hitherto been taken the basis for the
formation of new Ministries. Calculations
then made. The portfolio OF Agriculture-the
least important 10 the technical parlia-
mentarian minds reckoned TO be worth 100
points The Ministry of the Interior. which has
the lions share Of Government patronage, Is
estimated to be worth 400 points The eleven
Ministerial portfolios taken altogether 10 be
worth 1850 points In the Cabinet making
process the Moderate Republican group is thus
entitled by its numerical strength TO 40 points.
made up, for instance. Of the Interior 400. the
Colonies (220) Public instruction 900, or by
other combinations of portfolios representing
the same arthmetical proportion. Strange as
it may seem this system OF parliamentary auc-
toneering has. according 10 NJ Ranc. been the
recipe for producing Republican concentration"
Ministries since the disappearance OF Gambetta,
which has given politicians OF supple tempera-
ment and edroit manipulation the control OF
public affairs. and has rendered any really
strong Government impossible.
NJ Corney contends that the burning Issues
of the Dreyfus affair have given the deathbow
to this system Of legislative transactions and
bargains When questioned on the subject by
the writer, he said: The Dreyfus agitation has
framed new issues OF such vital Importance that
the group system has broken down II Is in
the country and at the ballot box that such Is
sues are organized and fortified. and not in the
lobbies of the Chamber OF Deputies OF the
Senate. The truth is." continued VI. Cornely.
the two great hostile camps into which
France is now divided furnish the key TO
all the Ministerial and political combina-
tions With a few personal exceptions. the
Republicans are Jealous partisans Of the ter
mination Of the Dreyfus affair by the final
acquttal Of the captain. The reaction, to-
gether with all the enemies Of the Republic. are
equally Jealous partisans Of the ending OF the
Dreyfus affair by his condemnation. 1t is on this
one broad issue that the great battle must be
fought. Those who shout Nive rarmee,' mean
Death 10 the Republic" Those who cry Vive Ia
Republiquer mean Death to the clergy This
is the real situation. which dominates all else
ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE THE COURT.
THE most painful thing to my mind. is the
violent campaign just started in the French
press 10 convince the members of the Rennes
court-martial that they ought utterly to dsre-
gard the investigation and decision OF the Court
OF Cessation, and that they should condemn
Dreyfus It is urged that court t-martials are not
required TO state the reasons for their
tences but are justified in pronouncing the guilt
or innocence OF those brought before them with
out furnishing any motives whatever This
diabocal campaign started by communi-
cation made in the 'Gaulois by VI. Carriere.
retired major of gendarmes. who is 10 act in
the capacity OF the Government commissioner at
the Rennes court-nartial. Major Carriere has
thus regnited the ferocity OF all those who
seem to have devoted their existence 10 con-
summating the ruin OF Dreyfus. Then. the
friends Of General Mercler, in their blind. fanati-
cal rage. have taken upon themselves to make
a hero and martyr OF the man already stigma
tized by the unanimous decision OF forty
seven judges OF the Court OF Cessation. whose
fragrant violation OF the elementary principles
OF justice when Minister OF War during the
Dreyfus court-martial in 1894 may be charitaby
attributed TO stupidity rather than 10 criminal
malignity.
"All the anti-Republicans. all the elements OF
discomfort. such as formed the Boulangism of
former days. are preparing for the final and
desperate struggle at Rennes. Such atroclous
lies published In the newspapers that large
part Of the public are still In utter ignorance OF
the facts. l am, nevertheless. absolutely con-
vinced that the overwhelming majority of the
French people are at last aware Of the stupen-
dous injustice that has been committed. But on
the other hand the anti-Semitic reaction and
the Nationasts. now more closely united than
ever before. about TO play their last caro-.
II is under these conditions that the retrial OF
Captain Dreyfus will take place at R'nnes.
Let us suppose that Dreyfus will be acquil-
ted. Everything will be in accordance with aw
and order. Military justice will conform .
civil justice. II will he victory OF common
sense OF logic. and OF truth. which will enable
the sponge TO be passed over the whole anar, V
refrainlng from reprisals and abandoning ih'
criminatory proceedings. which would re''e 'h'
present animosities. Let us suppose that Cap
tain Dreyfus is convicted. All that Is kepuo'
lcan throughout France will be up In ar MS ~
assert the supremacy OF the highest cl'l INV
unal In the land and the principles OF the r'shS