The Washington herald., 1912-04-07
FRANCES PATRIOTICPERIOD
is SENSATION OF: EUROPE
The aWill to Live" Manifests Itself Under Brilliant
f Minister of War.

Paris, April 6-In France the unex-
pected always happens, fact OF which
we are now seeing a fresh proof. A year
ago the general opinion In Europe, as
wen as among many Frenchmen, was
that FRANCE had passed Its elimination
point; that its people. overrefned or de-
generate. were gradually losing their love
OF country, and that the strong syndi-
calIstie and anti-militarist movements.
which appeared 70 be growing stronger
every day. were signs OF the beginning
OF the end. q twilight Of the gods. pre-
ceding the determination Of France as q
great nation. To-day. as II by miracle,
we stand in the midst Of a patriotic
renaissance. A Socialistic minister Of
war has Unexpectedly proved himself the
Moses who Is to lead his people out OF
the wilderness. though he or the system
Of government he represents. like Moses.
may not live politically long enough to
enter the promised land.
There Is only one topic OF conversation
In France to-day, and II Is one well cal
culated to amaze those who have not
followed French events In recent months
Progress Since 1eob.
The new France" is that topic. and
what this means to every man. woman,
and child. throughout the country can
only be realized by those who have
watched the symptoms. The spirit OF
patriotism Is abroad. Since 1896 France
has made her artillery unQuestionably
the best in the world and her navy q
most redoubtable force
More recently she was seized with the
'.air fever" and the subscription,
amounting already to some $4,000 for
the purchase of aeroplanes for the army,
testifies to a will i've that can COM
msnd respect from the most powerful
enemy.
mistress of the Arr and Mistress OF
the Mediterranean" are two Of Frances
titles that recur In all conversations. But
there Is third which is kept behind the
scenes, and for which a conciliatory sub
stftute Is used--Great Memories"
The extraordinary demonstrations that
are taking place all over France may
have much greater consequences even
than Is at present apparent
1t is no exaggeration to say that the
whole of France is now heartily disgust
ed with sectarian politics. and that she
wants to put an end once for all to the
scandalous incompetence that has too
often dIsgraced ministerial conduct until
q few months ago. It Is certain that
many thoughtful people have come to
the conclusion that the republican form
Of government is not one that makes for
national stability and progress.
Plots to restore monarchy are, Of
course. always In existence. neither the
RoyalIsts nor the Bonapartists making
any secret Of their preferences. But ru-
NOR has Il In Paris that one OF these
plots is particularly extensive Just at
present. and that the Bonapartist hopes
are running very high.
The Bonapartist Plan.
The Bonapartist plan would be not to
force their candidate upon the country.
but TO make the country vote for per-
sonaI ruIer-who could only be the EN-
peror."
Many remarkable scenes are witnessed
in Paris In connection with the patriotic
revival The three military tattoos that
took place a few nights ago were a ver-
liable triumph for the army, the soldiers
being followed throughout by thousands
OF people, including large numbers
OF workmen's wives and children, who
marched in step hummfng the tunes the
bands were playing.
Some of the streets were decorated, and
In several cases the procession marched
through the red glow Of Bengal lights
which the Inhabitants had placed on the
balconies and in the windows.
AS one OF the bands was passing
through a fashionable street In the Troc-
adero quarter all the big drawing
rooms where dances were proceeding were
'empted in a moment when the band was