New-York tribune., 1906-05-01
TO-DAY IN FRANCE.

AHc udl VI JOY udS UOCOLuG a OL duAlCIgs
If not Of terror Once May Day was marked
with flower crowned dances. Now it is largely
given up to demonstrations under the red flag
Of social disorder. In Europe il is widely called
Labor Day, for the reason that on it labor
ceases. II that were all its character the rib
boned MaypOle might still be its emblem. But
unfortunately 1t has been made day for be-
ginning strikes and for raging against govern
ment and law and order Consequently it is
regarded with apprehension in political capitals
and in industrial centres as the most ominous
day Of all the year, and, as a matter OF fact it
has more than once been a time Of serious dis
order, OF truculent revolt and OF necessary
repression This year has been, in anticipation
no exception to the rule In all the lands Of
Continental Europe there have been prepara-
tlOns for demonstrations" and governments
have also prepared to use exceptional means
for maintaining order.
Chief interest centres. however. in France
where recent and current strikes have aroused
passions political controversies have been acri-
mOnious and general election is only a week
away. Our Paris correspondent in his cable let
ter OF Sunday last gave an exceedingly clear
account Of the existing situation there. and an
equally excellent analysis Of its causes abun-
dainty corrobOrating what we had already said
about the part which NJ. Clemenceau has played
IN the matter and the trying position in which
he now finds himself. 1t would be too much
to say that he has hitherto melted radical ami
mostly against the conservative principles upon
which the republic is founded and upon which
alone it can hope securely to abide, but there
is no doubt that radical extremists have read
into and then derived from his utterances an
incitement which he never intended To recall
one of Holmess famous characterizations there
are now three Clemenceaus cOnspicuOusly be-
fore France One is NJ. Clemenceau as he has
meant to be and has seemed to himself-M
Clemenceau's Clemenceau. A second is NJ
Clemenceau as he has seemed 10 the radicals
and sOcialsts-the prOletaFiats Clemenceau
The third is NJ. Clemenceau as he is now bound
to be as a responsible minister-the Cabinets
Clemenceau.
These are all different NJ. CIemenceau never.
as free-lance critic, went to the extremes
which misunderstanding or insincere followers
have attributed to him; and now be finds that
as responsible minister, he must do differently
still. II is one thing TO attack and 10 DESTROY
when you bear no legal responsibility 1t is
quite another thing to construct when Won ore
burdened with all responsibility. That differ
ence Is not always as clearly borne in mind ms
1t should be by Opposition leaders. NJ. Clemen-
ceau appreciates it now more deeply than ever
before. That fact is most creditable n him
anu AAOSA auopACAOuc lUI FRANCE. He realizes
and admits his error, as our correspondent re-
ports, in beginning his official administration
with an application of the doctrines OF the for
mer Opposition, and he will not repeat the
fault His personal opinions may not have
changed But he dlfferentiates between tho
man and the minister. Personally, he differs
from MS colleagues on the question of organ
ized labor. but" he declares. "these bersonal
views are OF no importance when public order
ana security are concerned" AS a man he Is
Ine friend Of the Confederation of Labor AS
minister OF the Interior he is the uphoIder Of
law ana order -
e DO not know TO what extent the teachings
OF N. Ciemenceau the man may. with or with,
our ms intention, have led to the present in
austFiai ana social crisis. We are Guifa conf
dent that the actions of NJ. Clemenceon TIC
minister VIII powerfully contribute to the sol1l-
tloh Oh the crisis in a way compatible with tha
oup1e'iiaey OF Jaw and order and with the integ
rity and perlnanence Of the rrp,,blie ~ att,-
tHde could be more correct than his now seems
to be, and no more complete preparations coma