New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-08-02

It's Observance in Paris q Barometer
Of French Temper.

Paris, July -.
'"The French Fourth of july" New York
visitor persists in describing the national hOl-
day of July Il. which this year marked the
18th anniversary Of the destruction Of tho
Bastile is always an accurate barometer Of the
temper Of the French people When established.
nearly thirty years ago. the popular celebration
was characterized by amnesty of the masses
toward the privileged classes. and there were
protests against royalist reaction then cONsds
cred "a danger to the republic" hut no Ionget
factor in practical politics. To this succeeded
the melodramatic TRADES of DerouGdc in hii
long green coat who shouted for 'revanche"
and the recapture of the lost provinces.
Then came the popular wave Of ''I3oU.angisrn7
and the plebiscite republic, when the picturesque
General BouIanger. surmounted by white plume,
and mounted surerb black charger, used
to caper about eIiciting frenzied cheers from the
garnins of Paris These we're the haIcyon days
of PauIus the concert hall hero. and the thrill
ing craze inspired by the famous EN- Revnant
de la Revue" which used to be sung in chorus
by thousands OF young men and women IN the
streets Of Paris Afterward it was the turn
for the bureaucratic miltarism of the men who
presided at the War Office during the Dreyfus
affair, who had won over to their side all the
disconnected elements of Paris. and when shouts
of "Vive TArmee.' meant down with the re-
pubIicr'
Afterward it the innings OF Anglophobiaa
outbursts that followed the Fashoda business
and the Transvaal war. More recently the war
scare that followed the resignation Of NJ. Del
casse owing TO the attitude of Emperor
william previous to the Algeciras conference,
curbed the Partisan public into 4 more serious
frame of mind, striking evidence of which was
seen at the review by the silent carneStnCss ia
which the national festival was celebrated. Thu
review on the Longchamps racecOurse of the
garrison Of Paris is always The dominating feat
ure of the day and has never failed to suppl!
the keynote of prevailing temperament.
Yesterday crowds celebrated the "FouTteCntht
with little noise either Of firecrackers, orator.
or political shouting. Calm, quiet sood-uaturet
seIf-satisfaction was noted all sides. Ths
only noise was that made by the bands Of
fddlers who supplied dancing music for. the open
air balls organized in every public square, and
at which at least many Parisians Of every age
from children OF seven to joviaI men and women
Of seventy. gayly participated For the 1rst
time Americans and British flags were set up
beside the French tri-color at the dancing
tablishments and in front of the innumerable
shops of wine merchants
The average Frenchman seemed thoroughly
happy. prosperous and self-reant- The popu-
larity of the Anglo-French agreement indicates
that there is no apprehension in regard to for
eign politics. Cheers that greeted President
FalIieres, General Picquart Minister of War.
and General DaIstein, commander OF the Army
of Paris, showed that there is implicit conf
dence in the army. which is no longer power
within the state. but an institution thoroughly
republican to it's very core. The review took
place at O'Clock in the morning. Twenty-Five
thousand men marched past the stand under the
orders of General Dalstein. while in front Of
the President General Picquart, Minister Of
War took his place with his staff General
Picquart rode spirited bright bay charger
The infantry, headed by the battalion of St
Cyr cadets from the French West Point. pre-
scented a businessIike appearance. Two brig