New-York tribune., 1900-10-29
SPEECH OF FRENCH PREMIER
NJ. WALDECK-R OUTLINES THE
POLICY OF HIS GOVERNMENT.

POLICY OF HIS GONERNMENT.
Paris Oct 2O.-M Waldeck-Rousseau yester-
day delivered at Toulouse the anXiousy awaited
speech outlining the policy and programme Of
the Government in anticipation of the reas-
sembling of Parliament. The occasion was the
laying of the cornerstone of the new barracks
there. The Premier left Paris Saturday and ar
rived at Toulouse yesterday morning. He was
received by the Mayors, Senators and Deputies
of the Department and other officials. The city
was gayly decorated, and the populace cheered
NJ. WaIdeck- Rousseau, althougl few dissen-
tient voices were heard.
The Archbishop of Toulouse and generals of
the army corps delivered addresses assuring the
Premier. on behalf of the clergy and the army
of respect for him and attachment to the re-
public. Replying to the assurances of the gen.
erals, NJ. Waldeck-Rousseau said:
The army awakens too many hopes not to be
of the future of the army not to strive to have
France not merely follow the progress of other
nations but to outstrp them We are sure
the army will respond to these efforts by devot-
ing itself entirely to its noble task and will
leave no place in its ranks for divisions which
only weaken il.
The laying Of the cornerstone took place in the
afternoon. NJ. Waldeck- Rousseau reserved his
principal effort for the banquet which followed
the ceremony. This Waslgiyen by the Mu-
nicipality in an ancient Jacobin convent, where
the dining hall was elaborately decorated with
the Tricolor. Devoting the principal part of his
speech to answering criticisms he said he had
not replied before because The Cabinet had
ceived the widest and clearest mandate because
it was time TO act and not to talk. and because
he and his colleagues looked to the Chamber of
Deputies alone for appreciation or censure or
their conduct.
Alluding to the great demonstration of mayors
in Paris which he described as the most strik-
ing conservation any regime has ever received"
he said that France had in this way shown now
little she moved by biased accusations
against the Ministry. Referring TO the support
which the Socialists had given the Government.
he remarked that the Government desired the
support of those who having always served the
Republic better entitled TO defend her than
those who have opposed her"
Proceeding to sketch the gloomy situation
that existed when the Cabinet took office-'with
agitation increasing and Nationalism engaging
in daily battles with the police'-he said that
to face this condition of things a sincere con-
centration Of Republicans was brought about
yet not by conceding to each member OF the
Cabinet something which separated him from
the others, but by excluding everything that
tended to division and retaining all that tended
to unity
1T is said" he continued. that we are leading
the country to ruin, when really it would be only
an exaggeration to say that we have saved her
from ruin
Going on to discuss the Governments pro-
gramme he said it did not include collectvism,
but that this did not signify that the policy of
Republican union excluded social reforms. He
pressing systematic agitation and street demon
stratons, adding that the country might hope
during the present calm to see marks of sincere
repentance on the part of the anti-Republicans.
Abiding to what he described as the last act
of the poignant Dreyfus drama" he said that
the judgment was given in complete tndepen-
dence and that the decision remained respected.
hut that at the same time humanity had found
satisfaction in a measure of clemency that has
been ratified by the generous heart of our great
country, which awakens at last" He announced
that he would ask the Chamber of Deputies, as
h ha1 aIr DIV S1<a "a he u mas hi
OF effacement a measure necessary TO assure
deinitive appeasement."
while these internal events are being accom-
plished," continued the Premier, our position
is being strengthened abroad, where are
supported, when necessary, by the valor of our
army. Our policy has regained for US our tor-
mer authority and success. We have shown
ourselves determined to abdcate nothing of our
rights, and we are convinced that aggressive
clustering has nothing in common with true
patriotism.
when the Exposition opened the Government
deemed that after undergoing such violent
shocks the country would best be left to taste
the benefits of a needful truce. This period Of
peace has been filed with glorious work. No
more fruitful ideas ever agitated than
came TO the front in the Exposition Congresses"
NJ Waldeck-Rousseau dwelt upon the neces-
sty Of enforcing discipline among State officials
He expressed the hope that the budget would
be voted and referred to the projected diminu-
tiOn of the excise duty on alcohol, which is one
Of the leading internal questions. After this he
enlarged upon the necessity that the Chamber
should pass a law regulating associations, a
measure directed against religious congrega-
tions. He dilated upon the dangers attending
the accumulation by such parties of immense
properties and the evil OF teachings prejudicial
to the Republic, declaring that the existence or
such a rival power within the State constitutes
an ntoerabe situation which demands an i'm
mediate solution.
He also announced that the Government would
present a bin providing for old age pensions.
The crisis through which we have just
passed" he said in concluding has been one OF
growth We have tTiumphed over death germs.
We appeared to be prostrated but we tnd our,
selves stronger than ever. If We seemed beyond
recovery 1t was only TO regain the ardor and
union that formerly made US so confident ana
fuU Of high hopes. We have restored shat
tered unity A great democratic party may be
formed with increased activity on the part or
the Government and increased security for our
institutions as well more liberty, more ira
ternity and more justice"
The sDeech was followed with cheering that
lasted several minutes, the assembly raising
cries of '.Vfve Waldeck-Rousseau,' and "Vive la
R6publique"