The Washington herald., 1911-07-19

| pose himself by a coup d'etat on q
democracy weary of ineffective parlia-
mentary methods.
This question of proportional repre-
sentation is nothing but sign; it is not
| capital measure, 1t involves no prin-
| ciple. 1t may well be that single men,
| Der constituencies produce unequal rep
| sentation; We, too, suffer from these
| disabilities and recognize the theoretical
undesirahility Of returning a member by
majority Of half a dozen votes, but in
equalities compensate one another; there
Is nothing in this to make or mar the
future Of a historic party. 1t is alleged
that the second ballot allows Of "cor-
rupt" understandings between candi-
dates. but 1t is open to question whether
they are corrupt. Apart from a vigorous
minority, followed by a body of doubt
fuls, the French members are not great
ly concerned with the question.
The interested parties are essentially
the small groups, who, being crushed out
by the second ballot, grasp the proper
tional representation as a means of SAL
walton. Obviously. therefore. by support
ing their demands, NJ. Monis was not
doing the big work OF the Radical and
Radical Socialist parties. He was doing
the work Of that congress of little fac
tions. composed of progresstves, royal
lists, Bonapartists. conservatives; all of
whom shelter behind such labels as "ac-
ton liberale," "droite," "gauche demo-
cratique'' their reactionary tendencies.
AS the leader Of a coalition, 1t was not
for NJ. Monis to seek support outside his
ranks. 1t should have been his pride to
have recorded against him the votes of
the potential enemies of the republic.
Like NJ. BRAND, he tried to sail under
republican colors and to fish for reac-
tionary votes, and like NJ. BRAND. he has
fallen.
There are but two solutions, either of
which implies a strong government. NJ.
Fallieres must call either the sheep or
the goats, for the days of compromise are
over. He must form either Clemenceau-
Lelcasse combination, with a military and
bourgeois policy, or call such a man as
NJ. Combes, who will not pander to cleri-
calism. and who will. by uniting pro-
gressives Of all shades, be able to pro-
mote peace and reform. There is no op-
tion, for there is no room In France any
more than there is in England or in
Spain, for a government that wishes to
sit on the fence. Governance in the dem
ocratic state is not a compromise, but a
contest.
When NJ. BRAND fell It was suggested |
that the new government must assume |
q militant attitude against property and
privilege; it has not done so. and has |
followed its predecessors into political
oblivion. 1t has based fits action on the |
launched France into for |
eign adventure, done nothing toward re- |
the railway men dismissed dur |
ing the strikes. The suggestion. therefore. |
still holds good: 1t becomes all the more
valid when We observe the troubled con-
dition OF France, where martial law still
dominates Champagne.
Unless satisfaction Is given to the small /
growers. unless the right to strike is
recognized and regulated. unless,
above all, France withdraws her troops
from Morocco, there Is no hope for the
repose by favor OF which social reform
can be carried out Ali this, obviously,
cannot be the work OF q Clemenceau
government; II can be intrusted to no
hands other than those Of a strong Com
Dist. Failing this. France will again be
provided with weak government, pos
;ibly with a succession OF weak govern
nents, until the lesson has been learned
1t the cost OF much unnecessary agita-
ion, and a true Radical regime IS once
more established. FLANEUR-
Copyright 1911, By Ouurt Gossip syndicata)