The Washington times., 1901-08-21
FOREIGN TOPICS.

The incongruity offered by the fact that.
although France Is one of the wealthiest
countries in the world. If not the wealth.
est in Europe. its Government remains
among the poorest, is a subject which is
just now agitating certain French politi-
cal economists, with the probable results
that an elaborate plan of fiscal reform
viii be agitated in the Chambers next
winter. The causes of the poverty of the
state are obvious to everyone who has
given the matter any consideration. Many
of the forms of taxation have been in
operation for more than a century, while
the difference between their returns on
paper and the actual revenue has con-
stantly widened. For the six months end
ed June so the revenue was nearly 3d.
100000 under what II was for the same
period last year. and about IS, 10000 be-
low the estimate. When 1t is considered
thdt the budget framed in the early part
or the year showed surplus of barely
$4,000 on total of $780, 900. the serious
ness of the decline is understood In the
meantime the hands of the Government
are tied. for the national debt and pen
sions take yearly $3.50, OOo,oco the army
and navy 500, go 900, so that some $3.50, co.,
eco must be provided before a sou can be
furtheraEce of trade. or other interests
of general public Importance.
The debt of France is nearly Sc 900 900 900
ana this stupendous sum will continue to
augment under prevailing conditions I'M
til the middle of the century when ali the
railways now operated privately will re-
vert to the State. That the growing debt
mas never troubled the French people is
said to be owing to the constant accumu-
iation of private wealth, but now certain
To h. acf
that half century Is a long time to wait.
and that the debt will soon grow out of
all proportions to the expected returns
beginning in 1850 Besides the Elusive
forms of taxation of ancient date the
customs taxation is believed to be at
fault. in principle and mode of admins
tration, while the tariff cripples foreign
business and eats into the very core of
national wealth; so that unless these bar
riers be raised, the State. apart from the
people, will grow poorer and poorer.
Dr. Michon, the French Deputy who re-
Gently died. was one of the features of the
House" Every year. for instance. when
the discussion of the subvention to the
opera came on he dashed into the tribune
and opposed it. proclaiming himself
resolute and uncomprumising foe of that
fascinating Institution, lie corps de ballet.
This was standing joke at the PaIals
Bourbon. but another oddly of DIR. Mi
chon had, as the sequel demonstrated,
far-reaching political consequences. He
had. for some queer reason or another.
which only he could have explained. a
weakness for examining his pockets with
sandwiches and cakes at the buffet of the
Chamber, for the keeping up of which
each member pays SO many francs
month. being then allowed to regale
himself lat discretion" Now one day NJ.
Clemenceau, noticing the little man en-
gagged on this peculiar operation, amused
himself by pulling each sandwich out of
and was stretching out his hand for an
other. Perceiving that he had got no
further in the process. the eccentric ply
sician turned round and saw NJ. Clemen-
ceau diving into the tail behind him. He
never forgave his Radical colleague and
voted against him when he came forward
as candidate for the presidency of the
House.