The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-17
A PRESIDENTIAL CRISIS.
The Republic at the Mercy of the First
Man to Seize 1t.

Ahe at the mercy the flfsC
Man to Seize It.
Copyright 1899 by Associated Press
Paris, Feb. 16-"President Faure died
suddenly tonight of apoplexy" says
the bulletin, but it was really of worry.
apprehension and their effect on his
health; of the intoxication of the exalt-
ed situation, of imperial and royal
friends.
His doctors had long noted symptoms
of general paralysis. He meant well;
but he did great harm to the republic.
because of commonplace mentality
and that.sort of vanity which Molere
ridiculed in '"Le Bourgeois Gentil-
homme." Louis XIV. himself, though
standing on a right divine pedestal, did
not attach nearly so much Importance
to courtly etiquette.
M. Faure had no insight into the
great problems of human life. and saw
only eXternals. He revived, so far as
possible the ceremonials of Napoleon's
court. Not even a deputy or, a sena-
tor could speak to him without being
first spoken to- Whenever French
diplomat who had freshly arrived in
Paris came to pay his, respects, NJ.
Faures first question was: what are
they doing at other courts2
1t was noticed last week that the
whites of his eyes We're yellow; his
speech was thick. his sleep uncer-
tain, his neck bent forward and
his underlip inclined to droop. He
was IS years old last January. I men
toned on Tuesday to NJ Clemenceau.
who is a doctor, these signs of prema-
ture old age, and he said: Il also have
noticed them. If NJ. Faure is not soon
turned out of the presidency. he will die
from the general paralysis, the effect
of follies des srandeurs.
NJ Faure was alone unaware that ne
soon must resign, but no one save Gle
menceau and few others foresaw the
fetal issue. The situation brought
through his fault is most dangerous.
Never has there been a better oppor-
tunity for coup detat in France since
1852. The republic for the rext As hours
will be lying at the mercy of the first
man who will seize it, but the sudden
ness of NJ. Faure's demise prevents the
enemies of the republic concerting to
strangle her. Besides, there is no man
of sufficient prestige to make a coup
d'etat. The generals are disaffected
but the soldiers, though hostile to the
Jews. would not obey if ordered to fire
on the republicans. NJ. Faure apparent
ly died at the nick of time. The reac-
ZIONIST forces, under his encouraging
eye. We're being gathered to battle.
Goodness knows what he fondly i'm
agined. Perhaps it was that a military
coalition would hail him as savior.
NJ Faure went privately and unex-
pectedly last week to the opera. M.
Faure's aide de camp, as the president
advanced toward the stairs, made a.
sign that the attendants We're to fall
back a considerable distance to mark
their respect. He had received a few
days before a letter from the czar and
had not yet descended from the high
sphere.
At st. Petersburg he was almost
shocked to find himself and the empe-
a military escort. After the czar had
conducted him to Peterhof palace, NJ.
Faure remarked: How lacking the
Russian court is in dignity.
His best point was genuine charity
for the poor and suffering. There was
doubtless parade in his visits to hos
pitfalls, but there was also much kind
ness. He gave handsomely to the poor.
though close-handed in other respects.
His Thursdays We're devoted to visiting
hospitals, and it was on Thursday that
he was called away. The Elysee was
no bed of roses to NJ. Faure. He loved
its grandeur but he dreaded blackmal-
ers Urban Goheir one of the most re-
spected journalists in France, had
threatened to expose the jobs of the
Madagascar expedition which, as min
lister of marine, NJ. Faure had organ
lied. Corruption and imbecility marked
the enterprise to such an extent that
the French government was compelled
to send the artillery on British steam
ers. He was more civilly treated by
the crowned heads than any other
president of France; he was mem
her of the most illustrious Orders of
knighthood, save the Order of the Gar
ter and the Order of the Prussian Red
Eagle. 9
The last grand function at the Elysee
was his admission into the Order of the
Golden Fleece. He was almost busi-