New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27
TOPICS IN PARIS.
Typhoid Not Epidcmic-Status Of
Combes Cabinet.

Cspsctl 10 --s 2ev-Torz -rlbuas By French Cabls)
tCory-.rat; 1904: Bv The Trlbuas Azsocistion-)
Paris, March 26.-The prevalence OF typhoid
fever En- Paris, owing to the recent rains caus-
ing f-eshets. which stirred up the ever
present microbes OF typhoid and drew them
into the drinking water supply OF the
city from the Rivers Avre and Vanne. has
been taken advantage q by the 'Natln"
and other Partisan newspapers Tor violent at
tacI.s upon the Health Board OF the capital.
which IS accused Of Incompetence and negi-
gence. As the season IS now approaching when
American tourists visit Paris IN large numbers.
q Eeens only fair 10 state that the typhoid.
which Be- always present IN Paris has 10y no
means attained the proportions OF epidemic.
J.. the last week 151 cases Of typhoid fever have
been reported, as against the average number,
which Is eixty-hye. Official notices are posted
in the streets urging the Inhabitants 10 boil ali
drinking water. Sanitary measures are taken
on such a scale that for the last three weeks
there has been no increase in the disease. The
''NIatiu' estimates, however, that the real num-
Der Of cases Of typhoid IS 20 per cent higher
than stated in the official reports. owing 10
patients who are cared for IN private houses.
There seems 20 be no cause for serious alarm.
however. The municipal returns for the last
/ week show that the total number Of deaths OF
all kinds within the fortlacations Of Paris was
1,0l5. as compared with LAO IN the previous
( week. and as against the average OF 112) In
the week there were fifteen deaths from typhoid
! fever. as compared with seventeen In the prevl-
Gus week. thirteen being the average number.
4 These figures in The opinion Of the most COM
peteut medical authorities here, are not such as
70 give rise 10 aTprehensions or 20 Brighten away
intending visitors.
The Combes Cabinet has Just experienced
q severe shaking Up at the hands Of the
/ opposition. which has gained strength through
the defalcation FROM the Republicans Of a block
/ Of Collective Socialists under the lead Of NJ
/ Allllerand. former Minister Of Commerce. and
owing to the vigorous attacks OF IL Leagues
former Minister OF Public Instruction. NJ
/ Conbes urged II. Delcass6 to mount the tribune
ard defend the Cabinet. but & is an open secret
that the adroit. cool headed Minister Of Foreign
/ Affairs IS only a lukewsrn partisan OF tho
| Combes policy that has already caused several
! eubarrassments at the Quai d'Orsay. NJ Del
casse signihed his disapprobation by his absence
/ from the House during critical debate.
! The unpopularity OF ". PelletGn. Minister OF
/ Marine. who Is accused by his enemies Of hav-
/ ing disorganized the navy. is Just now the most
vulnerable point IN the Combes Cabinet, which
/ on two occasions has been left with a precarious
/ ma jority OF only three votes. The outlook IS
| critical because the French Chamber is not
I divided into two large parties. but into seven
/ conflicting groups whose constantly changing
/ combinations may produce unlocked for results.
/ N. Combes prudently avoids any issue involving
a vote OF confidence. and his efforts are directed
20 tiding over the crisis until the Easter holi-
days.
Sour grapes and desire for making political
capital seem TO be at the bottom Of IN. law
suits brought against the new Panama Canal