The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-11
THE POLITICS OF FRANCE.
VI. Dcschnnci's Election n Further
Check TO the Governments.

PARIS, Jan. 11.-The reelection of NJ.
Paul Deschanel as President of the Cham
Der of Deputies must be taken for fur
ther check TO the present government.
The ordinary opposition, which Is made
up of all the Conservatives. Nationalists.
and Meline Republicans. would not have
been sufficient by itself. The additional
votes are mainly due to the seeding wing
OF the moderate Republicans led by NM.
POincare and Barthou.
These separated from NJ. Meline In the
later stages OF the Dreyfus stair and con-
tinued their support of the Waldeck Rous-
seau ministry during the recent measures
for the defence OF the republic. Their re-
turn to the opposition undoubtedly slgni-
ies their hostility to the governments
projects against the religious associations
and schools
II is probable that the entire opposition
will now concentrate round NJ. RibOt. who
is already credited with holding up gov
ernment projects in the parliamentary edu
cation committee over which he presdes.
The NOderates. however, are again likely
to vote with the present ministry, il the
latter, as is expected, presents bill OF
amnesty covering everything connected,
even remotely. with the Dreyfus affair.
The Dreyfusards are greatly dissatisfied
with the amnesty project. as it would cover
General Mercier and prevent the legal re-
habilitation Of Dreyfus
The Nationslists refuse amnesty. unless
1t includes NJ. Deroulede and his compan-
ions but all the Moderates on both sides
sN=aI,r
secure temporary appeasment OF intestine
quarrels.
1t Is noteworthy fact that the opening
speeches of the parliamentary session by
the seniors In age In both houses form a
serious arraignment of the Republican
policy as not satisfying the desires and
needs OF the country. Both speakers are
old-time Republicans. Deputy Turlgny
having suffered prescription after Louis
Napoleon's coup detat, and Senator Wal
Ion being the author of the present con-
stitutlon OF the republic.
The presence OF Socialist, NJ. Millerand.
In the ministry alarms the middle classes
and strengthens the disinciination OF the
Moderates to reopen religious persecution
in the name of the republic.
The silence OF the partisan press Is Gu
rious. NJ. Melines organ. the "Republique
Francaise." founded by Gambetta. did not
reprint the speeches OF the anniversary of
Gambettas death. The Dreyfusard papers
this morning do not report NJ. TurIgny's
and VI. Wallon's speeches at the opening OF
the parliamentary session.
1t is expected that the present ministry
will make every sacrifice 10 the M0derates
10 remain in Office during the exposition.
for which time the Royalsts aud National
lists already have proclaimed truce.
Important reforms in the methods OF
army IromotonJ have just been made by
the Minister OF War. General Gallitfet, and
have been approved ny President Loubet.
They destroy the possibility Of 4 coterie
seizing ON the chief places. which was tie
subject OF complaint by the Dreyfusards.
but extreme papers. like the "Aurore."
which NJ Clemepceau has now left accuse
the ministry OF betraying the Radical cause.
This the Moderates and Conservatives unite
In identifying with hostility tn the Roman
Catholic religion. Another curious fact is
the comparative lull in the anti English
agitation in the Paris press.