THE CRISIS IN FRANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1942, 7 February 1889, Page 13

THE CRISIS IN FRANCE.

(Peb Pbkss Association.) Pabis, January 30. The French Government are vacillating, and it is expected that they will be defeated on Thursday, as 30 members of theChamber of Deputies, formerly hostile to General Boulanger, are now siding with him. ' There is a universal desire that a political crisis shall not interfere with the success of the Pdris Exhibition. , Some of the Russian press hail General j Boulanger as a true friend of Russia and of the Balkan Sclavs, while others regard the success of the election as ominous of future trouble. The Vienna press admit that the isolation of France must cease when the Republic falls. The German press are disquieted and reticent. During the discussion in tha Chamber of Deputies on the Seine election, the Conservatives expressed a sense of indifference at the result. There \s considerable excitement throughout France at the approaching crisis. L.c Temps declares that General Boulanger's return is a verdict against the Republic. Le Siecle refers to the result as a national shame and misfortune, and it defies Bou- | langer to use force in carrying out his aims. La Republique Francais states the President I cannot^ yie\4 to the pretensions of Boulanger. , Le Lan|erne characterises the election sfi a ) oapitulation to a shoddy Caesar, while 'Gaulqis says that: it is $g augury of tha j gridtial oyerjhro^v of tyrants. Le Moniseur believes it to be the dawn of a new era. *

General Boulanger, in returning thanks to the Seine electors, declared the Chamber of Deputies to be unable to escape a dissolution. . January 31. M. Floquet demands that a division of the Chambsr of Deputies be taken as to a vote of confidence in the Government. He expects to receive a majority of 300, and if successful the Chamber will not be dissolved. The Premier declines to take action towards suppressing the Patriotic League. February 1. In the Chamber of Deputies, amidst a turbulent scene, M. Floquet introduced the scrutin (Fairmi&issement. A vote of 'confidence in the Government was carried by a majority of 60. In the Chamber of Deputies to-day Premier Floquet moved to restore the system of voting by arrondissement. He declared that the Government were unable to repress the intrigues against the Republic without being granted an increase of their powers. He disclaimed any idea of attacking the principle of universal suffrage. Uproarious scenes followed the Premier's declaration. Some- of the Deputies who spoke demanded the complete breaking up of Boulangerisni. M. Laquerre, in the absence of General Boulanger, taunted the Government with being afraid of the verdict of the people, and declared that the country was on the eve of events which would result in existing political institutions being changed. M. Clemenceau asserted that the verdict of Sunday (the Seine electipn) defeated the Government and the Republican party, and that it would be difficult for either to recover their lost influence. M. Floquet proposed to prohibit byeelections during the present Parliament. The impression is that the general election will be delayed until October. It is rumoured that MM. Freycinet and Ferronilbal have resigned owing to dissensions in the Cabinet. February 4. • The Chamber of Deputies refused to voto urgency for the bill re-establishing serutin (Varrondissenumt. Premier Floquet strongly supported the resolution. The French Government are dismissing all officials with Boulangerist proclivities.