The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-25
PARIS HAVING A GAY TINE
CARNIVAL SEASON BEFORE THE
OPENING of LENT.
The Partisan Press Publishes stories
That the Troubles in Martinique
Are Due to American Intrigues,
and Comment Seriously on Them.

Copyrighted 1900, by the Associated Press.
PARIS. Feb H-Paris tonight entered
upon the carnival season, which VIII
bring a few days gaiety to the boule-
wards before the advent of Lent. The
festivities opened with a masked ball at
the opera house tonight. Great prepara-
lions had been made for this event, ana
the scene within the magnificent hall was
one Of exceptional brilliancy. Thousands
of colored balloons and serpentines were
distributed among the guests as weapons
for the mimic battles among the merry
throng Sunday at La Villetto, where the
famous abbattolrs OF Paris are situated.
Sunday evening the public will be en-
fete. An allegorical procession Will trav-
erse the district, and in the evening pub
lie balls win take place in the open ar
in the chief squares, which will be espe-
cially Illuminated with electric lights.
The usual Mardi Gras procession along
the boulevards viii take place Tuesday,
and In the evening bands will be sta
toned in the square for the benefit OF the
working classes, who win indulge in dane
ing In the open spaces about the band
stands.
The students have obtained from the
project of police permission to introduce
an innovation In the mi-Careme celebra-
ton In the form OF a grand nocturnal
csvalcade, with fambeaux and illuminat-
ed cards representing the various schools.
New Popular Idol
In French eyes the most interesting
character in the Transvaal war is Col VII
lebois- Mareuil. the French military leader
with the Beers, who is represented by the
French press as the Won Moltke Of the
Boer army He is popularity supposed TO
have been the directing spirit Of most Of
the Boer victories. The unanimity With
which the nationalist press lauds hin to
the skies. however. has awakened serious
doubts among thousands OF republicans
of it's dIsinteresteduess and In the fusome
praise of villebois is seen an attempt to
elevate him into popular idol. In defeat
ing the British, say the nationalist organs,
he is seeking to avenge Fashoda, but re-
publcens and radicals retost: You are
trying 10 create another Boulanger and
use him against the republic on his return
to France"
Ridiculous Charges Made.
In spite of the reputation by official
circles and the deputies for Martinique of
any sympathy for or credence In the as
sertions that American political agita-
tors are responsible for the troubles In
Martinique. the newspapers which gave
prominence originally to these statements
have returned TO the charge, publishing
under the caption American Intrigues."
an interview with an anonymous Mar
Unique planter in which Is reiterated the
accusations against America. and says:
The audacity OF their agents 10 such
that several times recently American cor
vettes visited Martinique waters and UNI
der the very eyes of the colonial officer.
took soundings."
The article concludes by asking again
what the government OF the island and
the cabinet are thinking of to permit
these actions.
Suspicious of This Country.
These attacks in themselves might be Of
little Importance. but an article in an in
fiuential journal such as the Figaro shows
that suspicion OF America exists In other
political circles concerning Martinique. The
Figaro article said that the United states
was following events with Jealous eyes.
and that the negroes of Martinique hope
to initiate their brethren Of Santo Domin-
90. and that the United States. which al
ready exercises a dissimulated protectorate
over santo Domingo would not be sorry to
see them follow the same road. which viii
lead through suppression Of parliamentary
representation to suppression as a colony.
Interest I'm the Exposition.
As the time approaches for the opening
Of the exposition more interest apparently
attaches 10 e. The crowds ia the streets
upon which the buildings face are con-
tinuously increasing aud The costumes OF
various nations indicate the presence OF
many strangers The scaffoldngs are be-
ing stripped from tina structures and tho
latter begin 90 show their nne proper
liona. making the view one Of great splen-
dor.