The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-19
FRENCH PROBLEMS OF GOVERN

l MENT.
 The new French ministry begins with
 a programme which promises well.
 Although the loss of Waldeck- -Rous-
 seau will undoubtedly be felt, it is clear
 that the line of policyshe began will be
 consistently carriedeollt Moreover, the
 ministry as it stands Is a strong one | M. Combes is by no means nonentity' | even if he be a man o fless brilliant tal-
 ents than his predecessor. He has very
 definite ideas and he expresses them
 with much force and precision. He has
 also chosen some able colleagues. The new minister of finance, M. Rouvier, is well fitted to undertake the fiscal pro- blems which confront the nation. Even l the beneficial reforms of M Waldeck- Rousseau have magnif1ed these in some measure It is understood that an in-
 come tax IS to take the place of other taxes now levied. and this alone is a
 matter that requires careful handling. M. Rouvier commands confidence
 among financiers; minister who did not could hardly amke change repug-
 nant to amny persons. The eSexperience
 of this country shows that a strong
 feeling against an income tax is easily
 aroused. The national finances, it may
 be recalled, have always been a storm
 center in French history. The ability
 of Neckar could not save the Ancien'
 Regime. Upon thetinternal condition
 of the France of to-day much will de- pend.
 The foreign relations,of the nation
 a-o o1e af and the retention of M. Delcasse guar
 antees continuation of the policy
 which has made France once more an
 important factor in international af-
 fairs President Loubet's visit to St.
 Petersburg has made it plain that the Russo French alliance 4is a, reality and that France is no longer, isolated in Flu rope by the Triple Alliance. At the same time the friction which existed between France and Italy haehargely disappeared, the rivalry with Great Bri- tain in Africa has been composed, and France has its hands free for it's schemes of colonization It Is some times said that the French sdonot make good colonists; but such 9 statement g- nores the greatlachievenentseo French explorers and settlers in the seven teenth and eighteenth centuries achievements that proved tfutiie only because of the suicidal neglect of the government of Louis XIV. Since the most vigorous foreign policy is useless without the support of a well organized army and navy, it is the part of wisdom to retain General Andre as minister of war He is hated by the conservatives, but no better man for the place could be found. M. Pelletan as head of the navy department is perhaps more dub1Sus choice. He is journalist who has at- lacked more than one admiral with con- sderable bitterness, and'if he continues his criticisms in office he will be in hot | water most of4the, time
 The election of M. Leon Bourgeois as | president of the chamber ofadeputies in | place of M. Paul Deschanel Is another | indication of the growing harmony of | the radicals. It may be doubted if he | will bring to his task any higher quali- ties than his predecessor; but he better l satisfies the majority of the chamber, and he will perhaps work better with the new ministry. He is doubtless in | full sympathy with the programme an- nounced by NM. Combes. That pro- gramme includes, in addition to the in- come tax the deduction of the term of I service to two years, the en- forcement of the associations laws, and changes in the system of education. It has not been received with enthusiasm; but the absence of violent opposition is at least a favorable sign. It may fairly be said that the successful admnistra- ion of M. Waldeck- Rousseau has made t easier for his successor to maintain a stable government which while remain