New-York tribune., 1902-06-29
PARIS.
DEEP INTEREST OF FRENCH PEOPLE
IN KINGS ILLNESS.

DECLARATIONS OF NATIONAL POLICY-PRO-
TESTS AGAINST AUTOMOBILE RACING.
Copyright 1902: BY The Tribune Association)
Especial The New-York Tribune by French Cable.)
Paris. June 2S.-King Edwards illness con-
tinues to occupy public attention to the exclu
sion Of all else. The spontaneous expressions of
sympathy and friendiness exceed anything
hitherto ELECTED IN France in behalf Of foreign
ruler. The forecast of the leading medical and
surgical authorities, well Of the general
public is nevertheless distinctly pessiraistic.
Admiral Gervais. who was at the head Of the
French coronation mission. has returned deeply
impressed with the sadness of the situation
Paris had such close acquaintance with the
King as the Prince of Wales that the sympathy
and grief is quite personal Many pleasant epi-
sodes and incidents of the Kings career are
related. especially his frequent meetings with
Gambetta, who succumbed to a malady almost
Identical to that from which King Edward is
suffering.
Among the intimate Partisan friends of the
King are the Marquis de Breteuil, the Marquis
du Lau, victorien Sardou. Edouard Detaille and
Coqueln cadet, and they have all recounted
the most agreeable "reminiscences of the King
and Of his remarkable charm Of conversation.
Partisan esprit and tact. The newspapers en-
French painters and dramatic artists. and point
out the qualification caused in Paris by King
Edward when he selected Saint-Saens to COM
pose his coronation march and the late Benja-
min-Constant to paint the official coronation
picture.
AS striking exception to the pessimistic
views prevailing here in regard to the Kings
Illness may be mentioned the opinion expressed
by Nine Jeanne Granier, a Partisan actress VINO
has for many years been honored with the
acquaintance Of the King and Of Queen Alexan-
dra Nine Jeanne Granier said, II have a very
strong presentiment and my presentiments al
most always prove true, that the Kings excel
lent constitution will pull him through and
before long shall be playing at the London
theatres. I am so sure Of it that have ordered
from nv dressmaker twenty-five new dresses to
wear In England"
Two declarations of the highest importance
were made yesterday In the Senate and in the
Chamber OF Deputies in regard to the military
and financial policies Of the government The
speech in the Senate by M. de Freycinet, ex-
Minister of War who since 1871 has been per-
sonally identified with the military organization
of France, makes now certain the adoption OF
the ROLAND bill reducing the period of military
service from three to two years. which VIII De
the most radical transformation of the French
Freyctnet's speech is considered the most mas
terful one Of his career. The veteran organizer,
who has won the sobriquet of the Carnot of the
Third Republic, strongly defended the two
wears service so bitterly opposed by the reac-
tionaries and Nationalists. NJ de Freycinets
chief opponent General Mercier, who was
Minister of War during the first court martial
of Dreyfus The measure is the most drastic
characterization Of the army yet attempted IL
suppresses altogether the privilege Of one years
service hitherto accorded to young men study
ing for university or collegiate degrees and by
cast iron application of the two years service
to all alike General Andre the War Minister
declares that he can make up for the deficiency
:, conscripts The proposed bill is expected to
accomplish for the French army what the laws
Of Oliver Cromwell did for the English army.
The declaration made in the Chamber OF
Deputies by NJ. Rouvier, Minister OF FINANCE
has restored general confidence in financial cir
cIes and dispels any fears of radical or Socialist
eYnerimenting with the fiscal laws which, as
! M Rouvier stated. have proved effective Tor
over q hundred years" NJ Rouviers ceciara-
,,ons indicate that not even the progressive
income tax will be proposed, and that the defci
| which for this year alone is estimated at
/ COO 600 600 below the estimates, will be made up
for bv the conversion Of the 315 per cent gov
.r,roeot bonds It thus turns out that the most
radical ministry in office since 1871 has adopted
| the most conservative financial policy under-
! taLen nv the Third Republic, and the Chamber
will be called upon to renounce the privilege OF
/ Initiating expenditure, a measure which the
! ,,ost reactfonary cabinet during the presidency
q, Marshal MacMahon did not feel itself con-
seryative enough to propose
! The sensational developments OF the Humper'
se,ir seem far from being exhausted. and mucn
society GOSSIP was aroused by the official exam