New-York tribune., 1905-03-19
TOPICS IN PARIS.
SoIUency of Russia?-Her Sorry
Phght-The Ne1c Mascagni Opera.
Especial by French Cable to Tie Tribune)
lCopyrIEht. 1905. by The Tribune Association l


Copyright 1908. by The Tribune Association)
Paris. March ISIS Russia really solvent? is
the question eagerly discussed in financial circles
A writer in La Revue" after giving dismal
picture of the constantly decreasing national
assets of the empire, comes to the conclusion
that the only way to save the twelve mill
lards of French money already invested in
russian securities is not to lend Russia an
otner franc until peace enables the Car to
put in order his own house and accord a con-
sututlon and representative government. It is
an open secret that the interest on recent loans
mas been paid out of the capital The eXtraor-
olnary enorts of great financial institutions
mere still suffice to maintain the prices Of the
1our per Russian consolidated bonds,
which are quoted on the Bourse to-day at
eighty-seven francs thirty centimes. The ex-
change value of ruble remains at two francs
sixty-five centimes, ard any appreciabe fall in
1t would be a terrible financial disaster, for
the conditions of all Russian loans held In
France require payments in gold. The capture
Of Telling has so far not affected the Bourse,
where the opinion is that any additional Rus
sian catastrophes in Manchuria must hasten
peace.
The Petit Journal publishes to-day the opin-
ion on the Russo-Japanese war of General Bon
nal, former commander of the Superior War
School, acknowledged in the military circles of
Europe one of the foremost authorities on STRAIT
egy In reply to a question whether Russia can
continue the war in Manchuria, General Bonnal
says: In theory, yes, but in practice, no, be-
cause the transit capacity of the Transsiberian
Railway is limited to twelve light trains of only
twelve or fifteen cars each, and fully six months
are needed to reorganize the Russian armies for
operation and TO bring reinforcernents ena bling
the Russian armies to equal in number those
ODD to han Nv
anese. moreover. are constantly being strength
ened."
complete and frank understanding prevails
between Paris and Washington in regard to the
possibility Of French coercive measures in Ven
ezuela. based on the accepted liberal interpreta-
ton of the Monroe Doctrine. 1t cannot be used
as shield to protect the Venezuelans from the
consequences of their own wrongdoing.
In "Amica," the new opera in two acts by
Mascagni, brought out Thursday at Monte
Carlo the Italian composer gives full meas
ures of his extraordinary force and vitality.
The work is equal to 'Cavalleria Rusticana,"
having its brilliant qualities as we'll as its |
faults. "Amica" is q poem by Choudens the |
theme of which is the love of two brothers for |
the same woman fraternal jealousy, and the |
final remuneration of the elder brother. who |
sacrifices himself out of affection for his |
brother. Amica, the heroine, while fleeing |
from the younger brother to join the elder, |
whose love she shares. is killed by falling |
from a precipice IN the Piedmont Mountains,
where the action of this stirring lyric drama is |
laid. The dominating qualities of the music
are intensely theatrical, and full of life action
and movement. Miss Geraldine Farrar, the
young American singer who created the part |
0f Amica, achieved the most important artistic |
success of her career and has definitely
won a place as one Of the foremost operate
stars. Her voice is warm in the medium and
has remarkable purity in the higher registers,
and the dramatic force of her acting elicits
rom the French critics praise seldom accorded
o a foreign prima donna.
The sale of the Beurdeley collection of eigh-
eenth century drawings, which was attended
,y the leading art amateurs in Paris. including
William K. Vanderbilt, Mr.. and Mrs Walter
Jay, the Due dAlbufera, Joseph Reinach the
Comtesse de Bearn. Comte Guy de la Roche
oucauld, terminated yesterday with total of
$4,000 The highest price paid was $1,000
or La Marchande de Mode" water color by
LAWRENCE The same drawing sold in the
-ear 1860 for $50, and recently acquired
" Mr.. Beurdeey for $4,000. This is fair in
tance OF the increased demand in Paris for
eighteenth century works Fragonards sepia
rawing La Verrou," fetched 81. 500 as against
700 in the year 1890 A miniature portrait
" Hall brought $500 A study of heads in
lack sanguine by Watteau went for $500.
La Coquette" fetched $1,660.
William X Vanderbilt, jr., arrived safe in
'aris yesterday, having made the trip from
Vice in his new 60-horsepower Mercedes. The
otal travelling time from Nice TO Villeneuve st.
ieorge a town thirty miles from Paris. was
fteen and a half hours. the distance being one
|
evue his automobile skidded on a wet pavement
rhile going at the rate OF four miles an hour,
nd dashed into a stone wall smashing two
heels but causing no personal injury.
C. I. B.