Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05
SENSATION IN FRENCH SENATE.
Gen. Nercier PrOciaims Il Scheme to
Invade England.

LONDON. December 1.-The Morning Post
SEXES the occasion of Gen. Mercier's speech
in the French senate yesterday to criticize
the weakness of the British defenses which
it says must be attributed to red tape; but
the papers generally treat Mercier's out
burst in spirit of banter.
1T is an idea worthy of the courageous
soldier who perjured Dreyfus into a living
grave, and who as minister of war, sat
shivering with terror during a whole night
at the Elysee lest Germany should de-
! clare war against France" says the Daily
! Chronicle, and most Of the morning papers
! comment in similar strain
The Daily Graphic says: We trust that
| Gen. Merciers harangue Will waken sober
public opinion in France to the dangers the
republic is counting by allowing nationalist
| tirebrands much license.
The Standard says the incident is rather
encouraging to Englishmen who esteem and
respect France, because 1t proves that re-
spcrsible French statesmen are not DIS
passed to deal equivocally with proposals
having a tendency to disturb the good re-
lations between the two powers
Gen. MERCER caused a deep sensation in
the French senate in Paris yesterday dur
ing the debate on the naval bill. by point
ing out the ease by which England could
be invaded. He demanded that the gov
eminent introduce into the plans for mobil-
iZation Of the army and navy methods for
the rapid embarkation and debarkation of
an revolutionary corps. The president, M.
Falleres interviewed, declaring that such
pI OpOSalS were out of order.
In the course of an extraordinary speech
Gen. MERCER said:
! In view Of the possibility of war with
Great Britain the use OF the army is not
sufficiently taken into account. The times
are not the same as they were hundred
years ago. Steam, the navy, the telegraph
and the railroad have rendered the prob
! e S,,frl ,,>I h ~, Siac
of solution. Moreover, England herself is
no longer the same The Transvaal war
has shown that the British army. although
brave. Is not equal to the task which Eng
land expected it to perform The British
navy is powerful, but it has many coasts
t. defend.
France. therefore. is numerically Eng
lands equal at certain points, and is even
her superior in the instruments of deStruc-
ton History furnishes many instances of
mutiny in the English navy at the moment
of battle landing in England is there
fore, not beyond realization.
This is not only my opinion. but that
also of high naval officers The British
pre- mier recently expressed significant fears,
and If the principle Of landing is admitted,
the practical means of execution may be
discussed.
Il venture to think that the work l pre-
pared while commanding an army corps
could serve as basis for such project,
which would not be expensive"
/ At this point protests were raised and NJ.
Fallieres asked Gen MERCER not to enter
into the details Of the scheme.
Gen MERCER replied that the scheme
could be held over the head of England
like the sword of Damocles." and he pro-
posed a resolution that the senate should
invite the government to complete imme
diately preparations for the mobilization of
the army and navy by preparing every
thing necessary to embark and disembark
as rapidly as possible an expeditionary
| corps.
Protests were raised from various benches
and NJ de Lanessan, minister Of marine,
| followed the presidents ruling that the
motion was out of order in the present de-
bate by declaring amid cheers that the
government could not possibly accept it.