FRANCE IN MOURNING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8446, 18 February 1899, Page 3

FRANCE IN MOURNING

THE PRESIDENT HEAD. j A PAINFULLY NUDPKX KXD. NATIONAL CRISIS FKARLR (Electric Te'.egrnph—C pvrieht— United I'resa AB-ociation. 1 . l'.vuis, Feb. 17. Obituaiy : President F.uirc. He died suddenly of apoplexy. M. Fnure was taken ill in his study at six in the evening, and called fur assistance. He was helped to a «nf,i, which was transformed into a lied, and where ho died exactly at 10 o'clock. It was known his heart was affected for months pa 1 -!. The Premier, M. Dupuy, was in attendance throughout, and announced the tidings to the Prefects. There were many callers at M. Faurc's house, including the (.'residents of both Chambers. The doctot'3 at eight o'clock informed his wife and daughters tlial his condition was hopeless. M. Faure soon afterwards became unconscious. A stream of visitors gathered in the precincts of the Elysec, but only Ministers were admitted. There is national mourning throughout, France. Immediate]}' following M. l'\iure's death, M. Dupny issued orders that all the departmental authorities .should remain at their posts. The Chambers will probably elect M. Faure's successor 10-moirow. The chances of Al. Dupuv, who the anti-Dieyfusites aie supporting, are moment arily considered to be the best. Kx-Premier Brisnon and .M. Loubet, President of the Senate, are also candidates. Al. Lonbet will preside over Uie Congress of the two Chambers to decide I lie election of a successor. A keen contest is. certain. M. Faure's death caused a great sensation on the boulevaids. The audiences in the theatres were greatly moved. The face of the dead President as he lies in the death chamber looks serene. His widow is inconsolable. It is feared that General Zurlinden will seize the opportunity of the election of a successor to the Presidency to make a move. (Received Feb. IS, 9.40 a.m.) Al. Faure was aware throughout that his case was hopeless. After an affectionate farewell of his family and attendants, lie exclaimed " C'est Fini."' Paris is quiet. The troops arc confined to the barracks. Throughout Europe vcfy -sympathetic references have been made to the death. M. de Freycinet has again warned the army officers to abstain from joining political societies. (Received Feb. IS, 0.50 a.m.) M. Faure became unconscious at nine o'clock. His body lies in the dcatli chamber of the rotunda overlooking the Gardens Elysee. The funeral takes plane on the '2ord inst. at Perellachaise Cemetery. London, Feb 17. The Paris correspondent of the Times says M. Faure's death could not have happened at a more/langerous moment. The Parnellite members of the House of Commons have condoled with France as Ireland's ancient ally. [Felix Francois Faure was horn at Paris on January 20th, 1841, and is (jnite a selfmade man. He was a journeyman currier in Touraine for some time, but eventually became a merchant and shipowner at Havre, with which town he has specially identified himself. He was deputy mayor there during the Franco-Prussian war, and as Captain of the Mobiles of the SeineInferienre gained the riband of the Legion of Honor. Elected to the Chamber in '81, he was appointed Uuder-Secretary of State for the Colonies in the Gambetta Administration formed in November of that year, and held the same office in the ministries of M. Jules Ferry '83, Al. Bi isson 'So, and M. Tirard '87. "in -May '04 lie became Minister of Marine in M. Dupuy's Cabinet, and was appointed Vice-President of the Chamber. Naturally his business position at Havre made him an authority on shipping, commercial, and colonial questions. On the retirement of Al. Casimir-Perier in January '05, he was chosen President by 430 votes as against 3GI given to Al. Brisson. His popularity lias continually increased since then, and the success he has gained in his exalted position is undeniable. He went to St. Petersburg in September '97 to return the visit of the Czar, and while there the definite announcement of the treaty of alliance between France and Russia was made.]