The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-24

has begun. The unions agitate. Prepare
lions are being made for a formidable
May day. Enough Of dreams, enough OF
weakness. The Government knows the
origin Of the revolutionary movement.
Let it act
CRITICAL DAYS FOR FRANCE.
1t is not difficult to,,understand the motives
which induce NJ. Clemenceau TO persist In
the fatal policy of permitting anarchy
to flourish in a considerable part Of France.
He fears to restore order chiefly because
he is afraid the necessary use OF bullets
and bayonets would cause him to lose In
the elections of May q. This might be
the consequence, for organized labor would
resent the shooting of mobs Of strikers
even II they assumed the character of
revolutionists.
His hesitation to uphold the law at any
| cost, however, now promises to result IN a
bloody chapter Of French history. The
| repression Of disorder with a firm hand
as soon as the outrages began would nave
saved many lives which, it is feared, must
now be sacrificed. .
The Government itself is most concerned
about Paris. They fear not only demon
STATIONS by a mob, bu anarchist outrages.
1t must be remembered that pronounced
riots for q certain date are seldom carried
| out, on account of the overwhelming prep
| arations made to deal with them. There
will be many thousands of troops In Paris
bv the end of the week, and while some OF
the officers are disafected, there is no reason
10 believe that the rank and file are dis
loyal. g.,
The question is whether the Government
dare Use its own weapons in an emer-
gency. 1t is an increasing belief that
they dare not, which makes the danger
really great. Many preparations are beihg
made for eventualities.
The alarm has reached many foreign
visitorst II the consulates, and strangers
are prpparinr to leave. The hotels are
having in large stores Of provisions and
the banks are sending the bulk OF their
Securities out of the country. The Bourse
continues weak. but the tendency toward
n panic has thus far been avoided. Every
thing. in fact, depends upon whether those
whose duty it is to maintain law ana oruei
quickly show a determination to execute
their task sternly.
1t is "A grave crisis, but no worse than
would arise in any country il the arm o.
the law was suddenly paralyaed. Those
who threaten to overthrow republican IN
stitltions are n small proportion OF the
citizens. The bulk Of their apparent sup
Dnrters are misguided and Ignorant work
ingmen. who are not at heart enemies oil
France or its Government. They are just
as dangerous at the present moment. now
ever, as if they were the members OF ar
invading army.
The difficulties of the Government in thf
present crisis ara enormous, but they are
largely of their own making Inc cause'
which will decide the result of the pending
election lie not in the past, but in the inter
vening ten DAYS before the country goes
TO the polls. These ten days will be preg
nant with events of deep significance toi
the greater future OF France.
No one will watch these development
with greater sympathy and good will 10
the French Republic h the Americans
at Paris and at home. They hope to SEE
the men on whom the responsibility rest
rise quickly above parts anship and become
the defenders and saviors of their country.
ABSURD FRENCH CENSORSHIP,
One significant sign of the weakness o
the Government is absurd in its puerllity
They are regularly censoring press teIe
grams in the hope of preventing the facti
from getting abroad. Two DISPATCHES t.
THFSuN were stopped in the last two days.
As a matter of p~rccaution, a duplicate o
this despatch was sent 10y messenger t.
London in case of its non-jransmission l.!
-,.;., From, hnrn