New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-05-11

The French government vindicates the con-
fidence of the world. 1t is to-day confronted
with what is described as the most serious
crisis In the history of the republic. 1t has to
choose between maintaining France a free,
constitutional nation and letting it become
commune or congeries Of communes, which Is
euphemism for degrading and despotic chaos.
In making the choice there is no hesitation
Indeed there could not be If the choice were
10 be for the nation for this is conspicuously
case in which "he who hesitates is lost
Mr.. Clemenceau and his colleagues are for the
nation. In making that choice they cherish no
illusions They appreciate the seriousness or
the crisis with its menace OF something more
like social war than there has been since 1871.
To-day their reliance is on the law, but to-
morrow il may have to lie on those arms amid
which laws are silent Even so. their choice
is as prudent as it is prompt A patient may
die under the surgeons knife; but he must die
if the cancer is not cut out Between may and
must there is no room for doubt.
There is. We have said danger that physical
force will have 10 he employed. If it does,
however. il will he within and not outside the
law The right of selfdefence" said James
Monroe, never ceases: it is among the most
sacred. and alike necessary 10 nations and TO
individuals" II is the Socialist conspiracy
which exceeds the law, while all the acts and
it. The insurgent civil employees have attempted
To form themselves into a syndicate or trade
union under the law Of 1884, and thus 10 claim
the right 10 strike. But that law specifically
applies TO persons engaged in competitive in
dustries and to no others, and so cannot he ap-
piled to employees Of the posts. telegraphs and
telephones. which are not competitive indus
tries. but state monopoes. Again. the self
same law which permits the formation of asso-
oio ~ nd a until bo
eminent to suppress or to eXpel any associa-
lion which may be inmcal or detrimental to
the national welfare. These diSOyal civil
servants have therefore no legal right to be-
come a syndicate and TO so on strike while
the government has full legal warrant for for
bidding them to do so.
We have hitherto-long before the troubles
of the present year-made clear the purpose of
these Socialist conspirators. It is 10 overthrow
the republic. The General Federation Of Labor
with which the disaffected civil servants seek
to unite Is distinctly anti-republican, anti
governmental and ant-patriOtic body. 1t re-
nounces allegiance TO the French Republic. 1t
holds that the state has no authority which a
trade union is bound TO respect If France
should become involved in a foreign war; it
SAYS. it would I've the duty of every Socialist
not only 20 refrain from aiding her but also
actively TO embarrass her in every possible
manner: and the government is now 10 he
made TO feel the power of the trade unions to
paralyze its functions and TO destroy its ability
for self-defence, in order To bring It into sub
servience TO the General Federation. Moreover,
civil servants are no longer 10 act under orders
from the government. but under those OF their
own leaders and the moment the Postmaster
General. for example. ventures 10 give q COM
mand concerning the CARRYING of the mails
universal strike is TO he ordered
A conflict against such a foe is necessarily
serious, in view of the grasp which the con
spirators have upon the material machinery OF
government and their power to disarrange f.
But '0e shall not expect it 10 realize anything
like IFS full menace. Emotional and idealistic
as they are, Frerchmen are in the last analysis