The Washington herald., 1907-06-24

Paris, June 9-The chief development /
to-day In the Midi crisis is an incident
delightfully."- French.
At about 1903 this morning a gentle |
man, carrying a valise. with an overcoat
on his arm, called at the ministry Of the
interior and asked 10 see N. Clemenceau. !
In response 10 the attendants inquiry as
to his name and business the caller hand |
ed him a card hearing the name Marcellin
Albert II was, indeed, the "Redeemer
Or the South" as he is known to his
million followers, who have thrown South
ern France into a ferment. He is the
man for whom hundreds Of agents have
been seeking during the past four days
to incarcerate for conspiracy against the
administration Of the law.
Talk HnIf an Hour.
When the functionary recovered from
his establishment, he conducted the visi-
tor to a room filed with officials. and
hastened 70 inform the premier. Albert
sat quietly under the amazed scrutiny Of
his companions until the messenger re-
turned and invited him 70 enter NJ.
ClemenceaVs Office. He remained for
half an hour in private conversation with
the head Of the government Then the
premier. not 10 be outdone in courtesy,
conducted the fugitive from justice 10
the exit and told him he was as free to
depart as when he came.
The leader Of the greatest revolt France
has seen since 1870 quietly hailed a cab
and drove away. NJ. Clemenceau subse-
quently gave a limited version Of what
took place at the interview. Albert
pleaded with VI. Clemenceau TO withdraw
the troops from the disahected districts,
assuring him that il would result in the
immediate restoration Of order. He as
sured the premier that violence had No
place in the policy OF the leaders Of the
movement; that they had done everything
possible 10 prevent II. snd would con-
tinue 20 do so. Albert offered, further. 10
put himself in the hands Of the authori-
ties and said he would do anything else
the premier required Of him.
Albert Allowed to Depart.
n. CIemenceau replied that he would
not accept his surrender at the mlnistrv,
and that he was free to 90, but he advised
him to promptly put himself at the dis
posal Of the proper authorities, The Tre-
uier severely condemned the course he
had adopted in advising not violence, but
equally Illegal proceedings by the dis
affected population. NJ. Clemenceau would
not say whether measures were discussed
for ameliorating the peoples grievs
Il would. Of course, be most undgnlhed
for the head Of the government 10 admit
any parleying with the leader Of n great
body Of lawbreakers, but the interview
ended amicably. and the two men Parted
on apparently friendly terms.
Up 10 the present hour the news egard-
ing the Midi has been entirely pacific. Il
seems assured that the violent phase Of
the crisis has come to an end. The eco
nOrlic problem remains to be dealth with.
situation in Montpelier.
Montpelier, June 23.-Exsggeration is.
too mild a term to employ to describe the
reports sent from Montpelier, purporting
to record the conditions here. There
seems to be something in the atmosphere
of the Midi which affects correspondents.
illeN seem 10 nave bffU NElLiUE NnfiFE IfE
pressure of overstrained emotions, and
making actualities If their own forebod-
ings. Scraps and street brawls have been
represented as riots. In truth. business
goes on in the daytime as usual Men.
women. and children pursue leisurely
their way on foot, in carriages. and tram
cars. or ioiter. unforbidden. in the public
squares. The cafes do a thriving bust
ness, although mighty little of II is in the
Midis own wine. The streets are not pa
trolled by troops. who are merely massed
near the public buildings, although there
are enough troops here 20 0verwhelm a
town twice the size of Montpelier, II the
troops are sound and nothing has de-
veloped yet indicating the contrary, so far
as the public has seen.
Rowdies Make Trouble Mt Night.
Scores Of officers in brilliant trappings
give the towns central square. surround
ed by cafes. an aspect of gorgeous color
in contrast with the somber mien Of the
citizens, who look on with calm indiffer-
ence or mild interest. This apparent dis
position 0 the people Is confusing to for
eigners. To some IL imports an unCanny
repression Of impulses whose potentiality
is omiuous Those who know the Midi,
however say II is only the normal state
Of the people, who are accustomed to do
a moderate amount of work leisurely, and
then 20 spend their time peaCeably and
satisfactorily in gossip or contemplation
and who do not wish TO be disturbed in
their habits.
What little outbreaks happen come at
night. when that part of any pouatiOn
which is always ready for embroilments
makes it's appearance under cover of
darkness and with taunt, defiance, crowd
ing against the soldiers lines and hurting
missiles, precipitate a charge of troops,
in which somebody, guilty or not. is
bound to get hurt.
Prefers Beer to Its own Wine.
Such are the conditions in this capital
Of an important department of the Midi.
where Ferroui and his companions are
jailed.
The Paris public were unwilling to be-
lieve NJ. Clemenceau the other day when
he declared the manifestations were led
by youths and the Apache element. Such,
however. Is the history Of the so-called
nightly riots at Montpelier.
There is every reason to believe that
disturbances at Narbonne are very much
worse. but reasons may be found chiefly
here in the lack of news from NarbOnne
In view of the fact that the failure of
the Midi TO sell its wine was the cause of
the whole Meridionale demonstration. it
is worth while to record that some of the
principal cafes in the very center of the
city do not sell this wine at all. t being
said condescendingly in them that It is
only to be found In the small wine shops
People on every hand drink beer and
ahsinthe