THE FRENCH ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8149, 25 May 1906, Page 3

THE FRENCH ELECTIONS.

A few year? ago the two main groups in French politics might have been roughly, bat accurately, defined as Republicans and Reactionaries, the later including the Royalists—followers of the Duo d'Or-leane-—and Imperialists—followers of Prince Napoleon Victor. Now, •however, the principal division is between the Government Republican* and the Opposition, an Opposition embracing the most diverse elements. Thelast general election, on the 27th April, 1902, resulted in the return of 308 Ministerialists of all shades, against 281 other candidates returned. The strength of the various groups was as follow:—111 Government Republicans, 99 Progressive Repblioans, 129 Radical Republicans, '9O Sooialist Radicals, 59 Nationalists, 50 Conservatives (antiRepublicans), and 43 Socialists. The Government's polioy is set out in the following announcement made when M. Sarrien took office in March last: The Government will defend the*"lay conquests" secured since the founding of the Republic, not that the Ministers wished to infringe the freedom of religious belief < and worsbip t and the Separation i Law will be carried out in a liberal spirit. But the execution of all laws throughout the land is an imperious duty, and the Government, while acting with neoesspry ciroumpsection, will be inflexibly firm. It is convinced that common-sense will soon get tne better of mistaken impressions but it will hold an investigation into this "political agitation" and avail itself of all the means placed by the law at its disposal. It will not tolerate attempts - to turn soldiers away from duty and will insist on their respect for military regulations and Republican laws; Every effort will be made to strengthen the national defence. The Government will also endeavour to promote all reforms which can be realised in the financial, economic, and social domains, presenting the question of workmen's pensions to the Senate. Then comes an illusion to foreign affairs, "Abroad we intend to con-

tinue, especially in questions concerning oar position in North Africa* the policy pursued by our predecessors, which recently had the approval of Parliament. Fully conscious of the rights and vital interests which our diplomaoy has to safeguard, we are sure that the exercise of these rights and the normal development of those interests can be seoured without any infringement of those of any other Power. Like our predecessors, to whom we would render public justice, we hope that the rectitude and dignity of this attitude will permit the approaohlng and definite settlement of pending difficulties. Faithful to an alliance whose beneficent influence is equally felt by France and Bus sia"