New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-17
THE FRENCH COLONIES.
Their Parliamentary Representation
and Means of Defence.
Paris, January 6.

otU ~ N0to " Nv S"~'
Paris January 6.
NJ. Saint-Germaip, Senator from Algeria. in
behalf of his colleagues of the parliamentary
committee OF the colonial budget for 1904. has
drawn up a remarkable report on the French
colonial system which has just been submitted
to the Senate, where its principles have been
adopted.
AS some of the French colonies in regard to
climate, population and agricultural resources
similar to the recent acquisitions OF the
United States it is worth while to glance at
the way France administers her possessions
beyond the sea. The financial system OF the
French colonies is based on the principle that
the expenses OF sovereignty, of general ADMIN
tstration and of defence are borne by France
and that all other expenses are betrayed by the
colonies themselves. Consequently each colony
has two budgets: colonial budget, in which
the funds are drawn from France and the
local budget which is settled by the colony
itself quite independently Of the central govern
ment In regard to internal organization, the
French colonies with few exceptions are pro-
vided with councils general, like those OF the
Departments in France, and send up repre-
sentatives deputies and Senators, or Deputies
alone) elected by universal suffrage by the
French citizens of the colony. Algeria, Mar
Unique. Guadeloupe. Reunion Guiana, Senegal,
India and Cochin-China each has fuh paria-
mentary representation in France the only
French colonies that do not enjoy parliamentary
representation are the little islands or Saint
Pierre and Miquelon, Tahiti. Diego-Suarez, Ca
boon. the French Congo and the penal settle
ments OF New Caledonia.
The military defence OF the colonies is pro-
vided for by the law OF July Z. 1900. which is
now In satisfactory working order. The only
CT, Coz ,nafy I'M
new system is that the colonial troops still re-
main under the direct authority OF the Minister
of War and the Minister OF Marine. while the
Ministry Of the Colonies, which bears the re-
sponsibility has no direct administrative con-
troll of the organization. Owing 10 this conhict
OF authority there is considerable confusion AND
much needless expense. The French coleman
troops are distinct from the national army In
France. and form two groups. one of 5000
men, including $4,000 natives. stationed In the
colonies and the other, 27,500 strong, quartered
in France and forming colonial reserve TO pe
drawn upon in cases of emergency without dis
organizing the regular mobilization plan OF
the home army The troops of the first group
are maintained by the budget OF the Ministry
of the Colonies. The troops of the second group
are supported by the budget of the Ministry of
War.
Senator Saint Germalns report shows that the
subventions allowed yearly by the French gov
eminent to the colonies rapidly diminishing.
and this leads to sanguine hopes that these
subventons may soon disappear altogether from
the budget. The French subvention to Mar
Unique. which was S16T.0OO I'm 1901 is only
S94. 900 for 1904. The subventiou for Guade-
loupe. which was 100000 in 1901. is $4,000
for 1904; that OF Reunion has for the same
period fallen from S155. 900 TO $3.50 900: that OF
Guiana from $4,000 to $4,000: that OF Tahiti
from $4,000 to $54. 200; that OF New-Caledonia
from $4,000 TO $4,000: that OF India from
S41. 900 TO $4,000 The colonies OF Senegal and
Madagascar have now become self-supporting
and no longer receive government subsidies.
The subsidies accorded % the colonies for 1901
amount altogether TO $1,300uoo and this sum
includes $4,000 for the exceptional expense
OF constructing harbOr and railway in Reunion.
The sugar crisis and the Brussels convention
suppressing sugar bountles have caused great
perturbation in the French sugar producing colo
MES. In Reunion. for example, the area of sugar
cane has diminished one-halr in the last twenty
five years. From 14.495 hectares in 1878 there
were only 1890 hectares OF sugar cane in 1901.
Labor is scarce, and the outlook Is dismal FOR all
the sugar producing colonies.
The parliamentary colonial committee. OF
which Senator Saint German is the rapporteur,
comprises Senators Richard Waddington Mag
min Strauss Charles Prevet, Gauthier. Cuvinot
and other prominent members OF the Senate and
the Chamber of Deputies. This is the first
time that the French colonies make really
satisfactory showing financially. and the de-
crease in the government subsidies causes gem
eral satisfaction. for hitherto 1t has been the
fashion to regard French colonies as costly hot
houses for mediocre functionaries and employees.
c. /. Il.