New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-24
TOPICS IN Paris.
President and Kaiser May Meet
Election Preparations.
special 70 The Nsu-rerk Tribune by French c.slsl

Especial 10 The New-Tork Tribune by French CzbeD
Copyright 1904 BY The Tribune Association.)
Paris. April 23.-President Loubet's visit TO
Italy and the magnificent preparations al Rome
and Naples to welcome him cause great satisfac-
ton TO all classes here. The public takes keen
interest in the details OF the Presidential jour
ney. In well informed circles the belief prevails
that Informal private meeting has already
been arranged between the President and En-
peror William. made upon the initiative OF the
Kaiser through the medium OF their mutual
friend. King Victor Emmanuel. Emperor William
never loses an opportunity TO ingratiate himself
with the French. and hopes 10 pave the way TO
his own visit TO Paris-a desire that ne has
cherished for twelve years. and never despairs
OF realizing. Among the presents President
Loubet carries with him are superb toys for the
little daughters OF the King and Queen Of Italy.
the Processes Yolanda and Mafalda. That for
the Princesse Yolanda is q spacious Norman
manor living room with a medieval chimney.
fireplace and hreirons. and rare set OF old
Rouen china table service. The present for the
Princesse Mafalda is a peasant maid of Caux
riding TO market on a mule. The peasants
costume is OF the rich Norman type; so also is
the mules saddle and harness. The saddlebags
filed with toys and porcelains Of the country.
The walls OF public buildings the sidewalks
and the curbstOnes in the capital and the prov
inces are covered with red, yellow, blue.
white and green guttersnpe election posters
with flaming proclamations OF the Republicans
Socialists. Nationalists, Radicals, Royalists and
Clericals OF every imaginable stripe and section
OF the French political arena. II is curious to
note that every candidate stealthily eludes vital
questions. These printed addresses to constitu-
ents Invariably contain glittering generalities
and violent attacks rival candidates. The
occasion for this avalanche Of political posters.
which quite alters the color scheme of pictu-
rescue Paris. is the municipal elections that
begin on Sunday, when q fierce battle begins
against the long threatened Combes Ministry.
The Municipal Council OF Paris has already a
Nationalist ADMINISTERED majority. and super
human efforts are being made TO increase this
majority and provoke street manifestations
against NJ. Combes. who meanwhile quietly
governs with a strong and laughs in his
sleeve at al this Partisan hostility. confident Of
his majority in the departments. The National
lists depend for their success on the outbursts OF
religious indignation caused by NJ Combes's re-
cent removal OF crucifxes from the French
courts OF Justice. A test case occurred yester-
day in regard 10 the witnesses oath ia the
Tenth Chamber. in Paris. The witness Aben
Habermann. refused 10 take the oath I'm the alb
sence OF q crucihx. The president replied that
the witness might do as he pleased but that II
ne gave evidence he must take the oath. Haber-
ms@-a then produced a cruciHx from his pocket
and was sworn IN the usual way. This Is now
accepted as the best practical solution
The Paris Bourse is considerably unsettled
owing 10 the rumors OF an impending Russian
loan amounting 10 S2OOOO0.OOO about to be