THE FUTURE OF FRANCE.

Western Star, Issue 1339, 23 March 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE FUTURE OF FRANCE.

A DAEK OUTLOOK. Whatever be the cause (says the Paris correspondent of the Standard),- political apprehensibn the growth of Boulangism or general uncertainty as to the future—lhave seldom witnesseda more gloonsy New-Year's Eve, Of course there were crowds on the Boulevards but there is an all-pervading air of general depression, which is in glaring contrast with the vivacity and cheerfulness with which the Parisian population in previous years used to welcome the New Year. The Liberie, which, not being a party organ is more clearsighted and impartial than its contemporaries, which are pledged to represent the views of this for that coterie, or this or that politican, speaks out with creditable frankness. It considers that the year upon which we have now entered must be a decisive one for France, .when the grave question at issue must be settled. It/remarks-—"The presentisituation cannot possibly continue. Passions are too excited to make it possible that it sh&uld be indefinitely prolonged. The Times Paris » correspondent says "•—I doubt whether the crisis can be delayed. The defeat on January 17 might indeed do so but* if he is then elected, events will be hastened, and it would not be sur prising if at the last moment the Socialists attempted a disturbance. Otherwise we may expect the new Pretender's success to be speedier than is generally imagined, and this will have a great effect for his accession is universally considered as the precursor of general conflict. It mayjnot be his intention to cause a conflict and it is certainly not the intention of the nation, but his accession will produce a conflict despite all efforts to stave it off. The exhibition, the unfinished state of the German armaments and the neccesity for theyoung Emperor strengthening his authority, may defer but wil not avert the outbreak. v