New-York tribune., 1907-01-27
WORLD AFFAIRS VIEWED BY OBSERVERS ABROAD
FRENCH INTEREST IN THE
GERU4N ELECTIONS
Especial hv French Cable 20 The Tribune
Copyright 1907 by The Tribune Association I

Copyright 1907 by The Tribune Association
Paris. Jan. 26.-Tremendous interest in the
German elections is manifested throughout
france Premier Cleuencesu and the other
leaders n the present parliamentary majority
90 not hesitate to say that IN their opinion this
crushing defeat Of the German Socialists is in
great measure due to Emperor Williams won
derful knowledge Of the real sentiments IF the
German people and 10 his strategcsl skill in
hghttne the battle by framing the issue NJ, the
broad popular platform Of patriotism against
socialism. The Kaisers victory is A complete
surprise and disillusionment to NJ Jaures and TO
the French Socialists. who for the last two
years have been ventilating utopian ideas as
seruns that the fraternity among the working
peoples Of France and Germany is So deeply
rooted as 10 Justify France in ia king the inita-
i've In universal disarmament On the whole the
result OF the German elections. by cutting the
ground from beneath the feet of the French So
cialists. strengthens the position of NJ Glenn
enceau. and especially Of the Minister of War.
General Picquart. whose vigorous measures for
putting the fighting strength of France on a
more solid and more practical basis have been
severely attacked by the Socialist orators in
the Chamber Of Deputies. NJ. Pichon. Minister
or Foreign Affairs. has intrusted To a technical
commission at the Quay d'Orsay the task of
drawing up an elaborate report concerning mat
ters that may be properly discussed al the
Hague conference which will be held this year.
but the exact date for which is not Yet fixed It
seems now. especially after the result Of the
German elections. that no question Of dsarma-
ment. or even OF reducing the present militaryor
naval budgets be discussed at The Hague
but merely humanitarian measures for miti-
eating the suffering of Combatants Neither NJ
Clemenceau nor NJ. Pichon ever shared the op-
timist deusions Of the French Socialists I'm re-
gard to disarmament but both may he counted
upon to do all in their power to make the next
Hague conference a success on humanitarian
and technical grounds.
MONROE DOCTRINE DEFINED.
The lectures delivered az the Sorhonne by Pro-
fessor Coolidge. Of Harvard on the world power
Of the United States attract crowded audiences
including many diplomats, who took careful
notes when the American professor explained
the Monroe Doctrine, which he characterized as
the backbone Of United States diplomacy and by
no means an international ,npertinence." as It
had once been falsely defined nv Prince Bismarck
Professor Coolidge paid a tribute 10 Secretary
Roots recent episrarmsti, exposition Of the
attitude of the United States toward the ca
ribbean islands: We don't want them ourselves.
We don't want any foreign nation 20 take them:
we want to help them, and we will" This is the
first time the Monroe Doctrine has been dealt
Paris. Professor Cooltdge's clear and patriotic
definitions Of If are most savo-abIy commented
upon by the students and by leading French
politicians, including NM Hanotaux and Del
casse. both Of whom were formerly Ministers If
Foreign Affairs.
CHANGE IN DTVORCE LAW
The Chamber Of Deputies. after animated
debate has decided. by a majority Of 379
against 169 10 further facilitate divorce by
making t lawful for Of the parties TO
transform a judicial separation at the expire-
ton OF three yeas Into complete divorce
merely upon a formal deInerd TO that effect.
This II passed by the Senate. Will make revo-
luton in the French divorce law, because 1t
enables ore party 20 marriage contract 10
obtain divorce against the wishes Of the other
party Those who voted IN favor Of the law say
that Il will not increase the number Of divorces.
but on the contrary will make applications for
legal separation. now 50 diy obtained, more
difficult. because such separation really means
divorce after three yoars delay.
40 CHANNEL TUNNEL.
The question Of a tunnel under the Channel
after being fully discussed in France. is now
regarded as definitely shelved. Among the
masses of Frenchmen there is absolute indiffer-
ence in regard to the tunnel. and il was found
impossible 10 get up any agitation in its favor.
The French feel that England viii never con-
sent to tunnel. and recognize that this
point they are the best judges II is a mistake
to suppose that the entente cordiale on this side
Of the Channel will be impaired by the rejection
Of the tunnel scheme.
BERNHARDTS NEW PLAY
Sarah Bernhardt scored p decided success last
night in Les Buttons" C'The Jesters'0 a fan
tsstic sixteenth century tale in four acts and in
verse bv 2 Young poet Of Portug1lesa descent
Miguel Zamacois The romantic Alexandrines
Of Zamaoois have magnetic fascination. The
play is a sort Of fresh water "Cyrano de Ber-
gerac' It is in 2 lighter vein than "Cyrano."
more comic and quite sprightly. An inn
poverished nobleman has beautiful but dover
less seventeen-year ar-old daughter Two Young
knights both enamoured Of the maiden. dis
guise themselves testers and compete for
her hand. together with professional testers at
a festival in the castle One of the youths de-