New-York tribune., 1901-05-26
PARIS.
THE FIGARO" COUP D'ETAT.
CHAMPIONSHIP OF DREYFUs PROVED EX-
PENsIVE FOR OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TAINMENTS OF THE WEEK.

TA1NMENTS OF The W tch
Cartwright; 1901: By The New-York Tribune)
IBY TO TIE TRIBuNEl
Paris May 25.-An interesting and amusing
phase OF the struggle for the control of Figaro"
was reached last night when NJ. Antonin Peri
sler. who in his youthful days private sec
retary TO NJ. villemessant. the founder of
Figaro" and by ViIlemessants will left
co-rnanager of the paper, with the late NJ. Fran
els Maynard and NJ Fernand de Rodays. evicted
DE Rodays not only from the editorial chair. but
from the premises altogether NJ. Perivier's
contention that the editors resignation had
been accepted and acted upon The paper is
now solely in the hands of NJ. Perivier who re-
places the once formidable triumvirate. Ma
gnard De Rodays and Perivier. The trumped up
charges that German capitalists were making
strenuous efforts to obtain a majority of the
shares Of the paper not taken al all seri-
ously in the best informed journalistic circles
here where such accusations are regarded
merely adroit artifice to infiame popular
boulevard outburst against the De Rodays-Cor-
nelly management which did not hesitate TO give
fits uncompromising support TO Dreyfus during
the latter part OF the famous "afaire,'' which
has since been a stanch adherent of the WAL
deck Rousseau ministry. and during whose ad-
ninistration the shares of Figaro have grad
ually fallen in value from $500 TO 500 each,
to-day's quotation being S103.
NJ Villemessant's fundamental principle, which
he never tired of repeating. was that ii would
be fatal TO Figaro" should it identify itself
with any political party He occupied in French
Journalism position similar to that of the elder
Bennett in America; his idea to be abso-
lutely independent OF any political party to be
constantly the fence. as it We're on every
question, to he a free lance with no convictions
vrha hai,
sprightly and humorous. After his successful
coup d'etat. NJ. Perivier in flaming pronuncia-
mento which leads off the front page of to-day's
Figaro" says:
I want Figaro" TO become again what II was
1t must above all seek TO please instruct
amuse; it must not be a sentinel, but smiling
and jovial critic of the shady side of life. tire
less news gatherer. sometimes inclined to babble
and be rather indiscreet, but worthy none the
less Of the confidence Of what were at time
called honest folk.
Such is NJ. Perivier's plan: all the silly. sem
sational gossip about the Figaro revolution
eliminating in international complications and
the paper being preserved from Nemesis by
red hot Nationalists or by a popular boulevard
rising against the alleged Machiaveian efforts
Of German spectators should be set down for
what 1t is worth. Figaro" under M. Peri
Viers control will make a strenuous fight to
maintain its oldtime ViIlemessant traditions. re-
store the value of its shares regain the favor of
the classes and the clubs without caring for the
masses, and that will be all
Paris is just enjoying ideal spring wealth
er, with cloudless blue sky and blazing sun
shine. tempered by ccol northerly breezes Social
gayety seems at its height The German EN-
bassy continues TO take the foremost place in
all official entertainments: the dinners. lunch
cons and garden parties given by the popular
ambassador and his wife fully come I'D to the
high ideal foreshadowed by Emperor William
in a conversation some months ago. when his
majesty dwelt upon the theatrical and impres
sionable instincts Of the French people and
said; There is to-day no capital in the world
where princey. yet discreet entertaining min
gled with personal attraction, carries greater
diplomatic weight than in Paris" And Prince
and Princess Radolin seem to have acted with
remarkable tact this imperial hint
Among the multitude of notable dinners. first
Of all should be mentioned that given on Tues
day by Baron and Baroness Alphonse de Roths-
child to Mr.. ]. Pierpont Morgan, who took great
interest in viewing the unique collection Of
paintings and art treasures in their house in
the Rue Saint Florentin. Among the other
guests were Mr.. and Mrs. John Munroe and
Baron Hottinguer.
Mr.. Morgan. who has won many friends In
French financial and political circles in the
course OF his stay here. was very favorably i'm
pressed during his visit to the Elysee Palace
with President Loubets practical views and
shrewd common sense. After their informal
conversation Mr.. Morgan described the President
as being more like American than any
Frenchman he had ever before met Mr. Morgan
has had frequent conversations with Baron Al
phonse de Rothschild, and great fertility OF