The age-herald., 1900-10-29
GREAT ENTHUSIASM
 AROUSED AT PARIS M. WaIdeck Rousseau Outlines the Governments Policy. AT LAYING OF CORNER STONE The Army Wakens Too Many Hopes . Not to Be Cherised by the Coun-
 try"-Peace and Prosperity
 of France.
AT LAYING OF CORNER STONE

Paris, October 2S.-M Waldeck- Rousseau yesterday delivered at Toulouse the anx- iously-awaited speech, outlining the policy | and programme of the government in an- ticipation of resum Bs Parliament. The oc- casion was the laying of the cornerstone of the new barracks there.
 The premier left Paris yesterday and
 arrived at Toulluse yesterday. He was re-
 ceved by the Mayor Senators and Depu- ties of the department, and other officials.
 The city was gaily decorated, and the pop ulace cheered M. Waldeck-Rousseau, al- though few dissenting voices were heard. Archbishop of Toulluse and general of the army corps, delivered addresses assuring the premier, in behalf of the clergy and
 the army, of respect for him and attach
 ment to the republic
 Referring to the assurances of the gen. erals, NJ Waldeck- Rousseau said: "The army wakens too many hopes not to be cherished by the country. We are too jealous of the future of the army not to strive to have France merely follow the progress of other nations, but to outstrp them. We are sure the army will respond to these efforts by devoting itself entirely to it's noble task. and will leave no place in it's ranks or divisions to weaken 1t. The laying of the cornerstone took place in the afternoon. MT. Waldeck- -Rosseau re- served his effort for the banquet which fol- lowed the ceremony. This was given by the
 municipality in an ancient Jacobin con- vent, where the dining hall was elaborately decorated with the tricolor. Devoting part of his speech to answering criticisms, he
 said he had not replied before because the cabinet had received the widest and clear est mandate, because it was time to act not time to talk, and because he and his colleagues looked to the chairman for re- pudiation of the report.
 Alluding to the great demonstration of Mayors in Paris, which, he declared, was the most striking consecration any regime has ever received, he said that France had
 in this way shown how little she was moved by base accusations against the ministry. Referring to the support which the so- cialists have given the government, he re- marked that the government desired the support of those who, having always
 served the republic intended to defend it against those who opposed it.. Proceeding to sketch the gloomy situation that existed when the cabinet took office, with agitation increasing and nationalism engaging in daily battles," he said that to face this condition of things the concentra- ton of republicans was brought about ''yet not by concedlng to each member of the cabinet something which suited him | from the others, but by excluding every thing that tended to division, and retaining all that tended to unity"
 ''It is said,' he continued, "that we are leading the country to ruin, when really 1t would be only an exaggeration to say that we have saved her from ruin" Going on to discuss the government pro- gramme, he said it did not include collec- tivesm but that this did not signify that the policy of republican union excluded so- cial reforms. He spoke of the successes of the government in suppressing systematic agitation and demonstrations, adding that the country might hope during the present calm to hear remarks of sincere repentance on the part of the anti-reDublicans. Alludng to what he described as the last act of the poignant Dreyfus drama he said |, that the judgment was given incomplete importance, and that the direction remain ed, but at the same time humanity had found satisfaction in a measure of elem eney that had been ratified by the generous heart of our great country, which awakens at last
 He announced that he would ask the chairman of deputies. as he had already asked the same, to pass bill of effacenent in "a measure necessary to secure definite appeasement."
 While these information events are be- ing accomplished" he continued, "our posi-
 ton Is being strengthened around where
 we are supported, when necessary by the
 valor of our army. Our policy has regained Tor us our former authority and successes. | We have shown ourselves determined
 to abdicate nothing of our rights; and we
 are convinced that aggressive clustering
 has nothing in common with true patriot
 ism.
 When the exposition opened, the govern
 ment deemed that after undergoing such
 violent shocks. the country would best be
 left to taste the benefits of a needful truce
 I his period of peace has been filled with glorious work. No more fruitful ideas were ever agitated that came to the front in the exposition congresses
 M. Waldeck-Rousseau dwelt upon the ne,- cessity of enforcing discipline among state officials He expressed the hope that the | budget would be voted and referred to the diminuton of duty on alcohol, which is one of the leading international questions After this he enlarged upon the necessity
 that the chairman should pass law regu-
 lating associations, a measure directed against congregations. He dilated upon the dangers attendant upon the accommodating by such parties of immense properties and fde evil of exchanges to the republic, de- caring that 'the existence of such a rival power within the state, constitutes an in- tolerant situation which demands an im- mediate solution"
 He also announced that the government would present bill providing for old age pensions.
 "The crisis through which we have just passed" he said in concluding, "has been one of growth. We have triumphed over death germs; we appeared to.be prostrated,
 but we find ourselves stronger than ever
 If we seemed beyond recovery 1t was only to regain the order and union that former ly made us so confident and full of high hopes. We have restored out shattered unity A great Democratic party may be formed with increased activity on the part of the government and include security for our institutions as well as more liberty,
 more fraternity and more justice" The speech was followed with cheering that lasted several minutes, the assem- blaze raising cries of 'Vive Waldeck- Rousseau" and 'Vive La Republique."
 Remate is Preferable