The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-21
A FRESH LEASE OF LIFE
Has Been Given The Totterinf Ministry Of
France.
THE AMERICAN RECIPROCITY TREATY
Proposals VIII He n Test of Gov
ernmept strength.

copyrighted, 1900, by Associated Press.)
| Paris, January 20.--The ministry OF NJ.
Wsldeck- Rousseau, which its national OPP
ponents declared was totterins 20 It's fall
and would receive its death blow imme
distely on the reopening OF parliament has
secured a fresh lease OF life In the very
first work OF the parliamentary session by
tho substantial majority 1t received on the
vote OF confidence In the chamber OF dep
utios on the Interpolation regarding tho
attitude Of the government toward the
strikers at ST. Etienne. Early In the week
the nationalists were much rejoiced over
an important check TO tho governments
protest In committee but Thursdays GOV.
eminent victory shattered their hopes Of
success,
This situation, II is believed, will have
an indirect bearing on tho prospects of the
American reciprocity treaty which. despite
tho BanBuine predictions OF officials here,
was thought In some quarters TO ba i'm
periled by tho Influential Industrial and
agricultural opposition. The fact that the
government iH entitled to count on strong
backing. AZ revealed by Thursdays vote
on the strike Interpolation, may induce
Il TO eodeavor 10 force tho treaty through.
Ihe test OF tho governments strength
however, viii take place Shortly IN tbs
chamber OF deputies ON the naval pro.
posnls, which Solye an expenditure Of
ioHOoo,o0o francs, Of which 800 600 .00n
francs is TO be devoted TO the reorganiza
ton OF tho feet
NJ. de la Porte, republican radical depu-
frr
scheme. has lust declared himeelt favors
BILE to tho majority plan His report
makes some interesting remarks regarding
tho proposed submarine boats especially
IN connection With recent experiments at
Washington With the submarine torpedo
boat Holland He asserts that the new
type Of suhmarins vessels, Of which tho
government proposes 10 build two. VIII
have o sphere OF action on the surface nf
tho wnter Of from twenty 10 twenty ave
Knots and submarine sphere Of i--sdon of
from forty TO forty five knots Thus he
says, the vessels Will be Of offensive value
instead OF merely defensive tyne The
press warmly supports their construction
as a protection 10 the coast from an at
tack by the British navy In he event OF
war.
In the chamber OF deputies practically
tho whole week was devoted 10 the discus
sion OF the railway budget, during which
several speakers compared number of
features OF French railroad workings wifi
me American system. NJ. Vallante. social
lst deputy representing one Of the Seino
districts. demanded the adoption Of tho
american system OF automatic car couplers
ana declared that half the mortality among
lho French railway men VAS due TO tho
Imperfect French system Of coupling Tho
director OF railroads replied that this mat
ter was under consideration and that I'M
doubleday suitable system would shortl
be Instituted
me election for the removal of The l1U
seats Ia the senate which will occur Janu-
~ - are keenly anticipated, as the re-
suit VIII indicate the feeling of tho conn
Try toward tho government In view OF
us Dreyfus policy and the high court
prosecutions, there is u strong moderate
republic opposition TO the ministerial can
ulp"tes' The most interesting contest IL
m the constituency of Loire. Freure
where General MERCER tho lnyeterate an
tagonst Of Dreyfus. and ono of Tho nn.
uonallAt idols, Ia pItted against the gov
eminent candidate "A radical
PRESIDENT l-ouhet recently gave a cleyet
aeipack to the natioualsts claims of his
unpopnarity Ia the army by pretty dis.
plaS OF tact The occasion was The recent
shooting party az Rambonilet near Seville.
instead of issuing formal Invitations 10
the officers Of the garrison aud the proyin
clAl authorities, President Louhet an
houueed that they need only inscribe them
st ives on the list OF guests. with the
gratifying result that possibly every mill
tary officer In the vicinity Joined the
presidential party.
VI. Picard. commissioner general OF TN,
iaris exposition. announces that most M
mo buildings are now IN an advanced
state of construction aud the opening on
Inc exposition will occur on the advertise
uate, The American section is the sub
leet OF many appreciatiyo notices In IN,
press The Republic Franchise says
From every point Of view the Unltad
states viii have a place worthy of them
ana adds that II considers that the exhibit
OF American schools viii surprise many
as Americas methods are not generally
known IN Europe.
the sensation caused by the heavy losses
by speculation by Count Boni de Chst.I.
iano was only Of one days duration here
owing 20 the emphatic denial given the
story by his father.
Unless the fashion in which the Figaro
treated the Marquis de Castellane's lei.
Ter which IL is stated Il consigned TO the
waste paper basket should have further
results interest now turns TO the state
ment on the subject which Count Boni is
10 make on his arrival In New York.
Mrs, Eddy, mother OF Mr., Spencer r.
Eddy, second secretary of the American
embassy, who was severely injured during
her voyage from America by being thrown
down IN her state room by the tossing of
the vessel Is still confined TO her room.