New-York tribune., 1904-09-04
TOPICS IN Paris.
The Battle of Lao Yang Ouerturned
French Omnion.

''pe0-S 70 me NeT-York Tribune hy French CabIe)
Copyright; 1904: BY The Tribune Assocsaton3
Faris' Sept 3.-2Iilitary critics here are dis
posed 10 think that the Russians though they
nave made splendid fight at Liao-Yang. have
Deen' TO all intents and purposes. defeated, and
mat huropatk'n's retreat toward Moukden Is
more of the nature OF rout than a stratericaI
manPuvre. At the commencement OF this ter
rifc battle French military opinion was opti-
mistic. and General Kuropatkin's strategy was
spoken OF with the loudest admiration It was
compared to that OF Napoleon in its qualities of
mastery circumspection and method; but now
although information to what has really hap
pened is meagre the idea prevails that the Jap
anese have succeeded in their aim. which is TO
threaten the Russian communications with
Moullden the first step surrounding the
army altogether. Kuropatkin's generalship is
thought TO have been quite equal TO that of his
japanese opponents but his staff organization.
the fighting quality Of his men and their prob
able fighting strength to have been in
ferior.
The question Of church and state is still in the
acute controversial stage. The late Waldeck-
Rousseau was supposed TO have disapproved
the ruthless association Of law and excessive
anu-Clericalism by NJ Conbes but the Prime
Minister declares in interview that Wal
eck-Rousseau's change Of front was due to the
mental and moral collapse consequent on his
fatal illness WaIdeck- Rousseau was. he says.
the real insprer of the legislative movement
which NJ. Combes hopes to conduct to a logical
goal in the separation Of church and state.
Though the season is drawing to a close,
Homburg and Dinard still remain gay At
Dinard is Mrs. Goelet with her yacht. and Mrs.
Hughes Hallett's fancy dress balls are the great
attraction at Homburg. An International tennis
tournament has been the event OF the week the
American team winning the cup given by Will
lam Rhinelander Stewart. who witnessed the
victory. Among other Americans there are Mrs.
John Mackay. Mrs. Ronalds. Hay Richie Mr..
and Mrs Lorillard Ronalds and Miss Daisy Nc
Clure, Of New-York.
The total paralysis Of all commercial and In
dustrial business at Marseilles in consequence
Of the general strike continues and there Is
danger, unless prompt remedy is found that
the city may be soon without bread, FOR the
mllers have struck and the bakers closing
their shops. Nevertheless, the prospects Of a
cessation Of hostilities on all sides now are
somewhat brighter. Negotiations between the
opposing parties IN the hands OF the presi-
dent Of the local Chamber OF Commerce, and
his suggestion that an arbitration court should
be founded similar 10 that which works we'll
in Genoa. and on which all parties interested in
almost certain OF adoption.
Parisians have watched with intense interest
the extensive field manoeuvres Of ST. Cyr. which
have just come TO end and which in point
of discipline and endurance were highly credita-
able to these cadets ST. Cyr is the French
equivalent Of West Point Owing. however 20
certain acts Of hazing General BazaIne Hayter
has made inspection Of the college. and in
his report says that he is struck by the in
fantIe behavior OF the cadets. the puertity Of
their replies and the general schooIboy tone so
incompatible with budding officers He recon-
r7ends reorganization of the discipline OF the
college in the direction OF giving the cadets
greater manly responsibility and Of widening
their ideas. The Minister Of War has given
orders for these reforms, which are 70 be im1ne-
diateIy introduced. The education Of the cadets
Will be expanded. therefore, all narrow formal
ism abandoned, and, IN particular. greater at
tention will be paid TO personal cleanliness
Hughes lie Roux. the African explorer, who
has many friends IN America. where he has
figured successfully $ a lecturer. has just lost
his son under dramatic circumstances. He
reached home from q diplomatic mission 10
Abyssinla Just in time 10 the youth from
committing suicide IN a frenzy OF typhoid fever
Three days afterward. however. the lad sue
curlbed. He was only twenty years old and a
brilliant Iinguist. c. / 3.
uDGF PARKER's POLITICAL CREATOR Sc,