The French Elections.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 265, 14 November 1885, Page 7

The French Elections.

The results of the elections throughout France on October sth, for members of the Chamber of Deputies, have created great surprise and chagrin among members of the cabinet and their colleagues. The Conservatives (Monarchists of one faction or another) have made extensive gains, and arc wild with enthusiasm. The loss of seats by the Republicans will lead to a reconstruction of the present Ministry. Tt seems doubtful if the Ministry can gather about it a working majority in the new Chamber. It is expected that a provisional Ministry will bo formed, including M. M. Clemenceau and Florjuot. Various reasons are assigned for the Republican defeat, and there is a general concurrence in the opinion that the Tonquin affair had more to do with it than anything else. The Republican papers are disposod to make a scapegoat of Ferry. A special to the " Times " says : " The chief concern to America is that the new Chamber will certainly be fiercely protective. The many Orleanist gains in the rural districts are distinctly due to pledges made to rigorously exclude American pork and breadstuff's, and these have forced the other parties to compete with similar pledges. It is regarded certain there will lie almost a prohibitive tariff whatever else happens."

There was a tremendous row in the vicinity of the " Gaulois'" office on the 6th, and the " Figaro " building was also guarded. The editor of the former paper was assaulted by the mob when lie made his appearance in the street, and rescued by the police with

difficulty. The Republicans took "exception to the lines bullitined by the

" Gaulois, rejoicing over Conservative gains

It is stated in a dispatch of the 9th that as a result of the election, General Campenon, Minister of War,

has instructed General Courcey, commander in Tonquin, to confine the French occupation to forts on the Red River delta, and to return the remainder of the troops to France.

A dispatch from Paris, October 12th, says careful calculations show that the Conservatives will number 210 in the

new Chamber, Clemenceau's party 124, and the Republicans of other shades 250. Clcmencoau's position will be, therefore, something like Parnell's in tho English Parliament. By uniting upon any important division with either party, he may turn the scales as he likes.

A Paris dispatch of October 23, says the Brisson Ministry is now uncertain about its ability to head a majority of the new Chamber of Deputies, as a serious split in the Republican ranks is threatened. The Republicans were united to carry those districts which required a second ballot; but now each faction insists on the adoption of its own programme.