Our Paris Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 17 February 1894, Page 3

Our Paris Letter.

(FROM OUR OWN COBRE4PONIENT ) Paris, 20th December. The extraordinary session of the French Parliament has been closed by Presidential decree, and its members will meet in ordinary session on the 9lh of January, 1894. The comparatively short session—Parliament met in November— has been j an eventful one, and its main object has been achieved — that of forming a Government majority. This majority is a moderate Republican one and the defeat of the Radical has been complete. TheCaaimiflPtusier Ministry, composed exclusively of Moderate Republicans, began its political career with small majorities of about 35, but after the explosion of an Anarchist bomb in the Chamber, this majority rose to over 400. On the other hand, the minority, which at first numbered over 200 members, has in its turn dwindled down to 85. But the most important fact of all is, that the abstentionisfcs, who during the early part of the session exceeded 109 members, have thrown in their lot with the Government, and rallied to the defence of civilized society. Of course iD is not to be expected that the ("asiinie Persier Ministry will nhvaya retain its majority of 400— but there is room for considerable diminution, while still giving the Government a strong workiug majority. At present it is clear that, with the exception of an insignificent fraction of its members, the Chamber of Deputies will have nothing to do with Socialist and Radical projects. The French Senatorial elections will take place next week, but they do not seem to inspire much interest, except in those Departments, where Radicals and Socialists are contending tor victory. The number of new Senators to be elected is about 100, consisting first of the usual onethird (75 Senators), whose term of office has expired, and of about 25 Senators to fill up the vacancies caused by the death of life Senators and others. As far as can be judged, the victory at the polta seems to be insured to the different shades of Republicanism, and very few Monarchical Senators have much chance being re-elected. M. Thirrier, ■the Deputy who prides himself on I always wearing his blouse, desires to I become a Senator ; and another eccentric ijdividual of the same stamp, declares that, if elected ; he will walk about the Senate in wooden shoes. In the Department of the Seine, M. Floquet is the Radical candidate, i and M. Lonquet opposes him in the ' character of a pure Socialist. The famous alliance between Radical '

and Socialists floes not seehi to I cirfend. to, the Senatorial electious. According io this morning's French papers the provisional arrangements i"of commercial affairs, long talked of between Franco and Spain may be considered as accomplished. Tho terms are said to be that France shall continue to apply to imports from Spain the minimum tariff, and that the Spanish Go- ! vernnient will ask the Cortes during no7 l session to sanction a special treaty with Franco, of a very ad vuutageous nature to the latter. It is hopad that this arrangement will last i'ci 1 twelve months. To-monow the representatives of tlio two Powers moefc to definitely arrange the fcarms.