Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 27, 1898. France.

Manawatu Herald, 27 October 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 27, 1898. France.

■ ♦ For some time the danger that tbe Frenoh militaryism would force tba country into war has been apparent to all her neighbours. The idea that Germany was the only Power she was likely to attack is dissipated by the fact that Germany has taken the strongest precautions to makt herself safe from tbe neighbour from whom che took certain territories, knowing well tbat unless this wadone, they would, at some time or other, be taken from her. Th< re-possession of the lost provinces of Alsace and Lorraine have, however, been worked for all they were worth as a means of inducing the popnla don of France to stand the terrible strain in men and money that tb> army, thought necessary, required, and this huge machine baa become, an it has also in time 3 past, a source of great danger to the government which supports it. We thus find that the French army is likely to lead, the country into war, instead of being its safeguard for peace. Un fortunately for France her military men do not seem to be free from taking for their individual use money voted for the army, and tbe abuse of this system of pilfering becomes at last so glaring as to call for reform. It will be remembered that prior to the Franco-Pru^sian war the Em peror was informed that everything was in perfect order down to the buttons on the soldiers gaiters, but he had the sore experience to find this to be a most terrible falsehood. We have witnessed what has become known as the Dreyfus scandal, whioh

is nothing more than the discovery by this unfortunate man of improper conduct in the army, most inconvenient for the public to be made acquainted with, and therefore he was hounded down as a spy. Cir« cumstances have arisen showing that in the opinion of very many able men hi 3 conviction was wrong, and we have the exhibition of all the power of the army being used, at present civilly, to prevent a re-hear-ing of the case. We have thus a weak Frenoh Ministry thrust about by one set of politicians or another, not on any great political question, but merely that the honour of the army shall not be stained by accusations of corruption being proved against it. This small question, though involving a big one to the taxpayers and to the recipients of monies turned adrift from their proper course, may involve England in a war about a piece of territory through which one Frenchman has only passed ! It is clear therefore that the real cause and the advowed cause for a declaration of war will be very far removed from one another. Ever since the Revolution in 1793, France appears to be unable to rest for any space of time, as after that dreadful course of bloodshed tbe Directory had to rely on General Bonaparte's help, and elected him in 1799 as President of the Republic, which in 1802 he changed into Consul for life, and to Emperor in 1804. When the Allies defeated him in 1815 Louis XVIII took possession, and at his death in 1824 Charles X became King, but a revolution occurring in 1880 he abdicated and the Duke of Orleans was crowned aa Louis IJhilippe I. A reform banquet having been pro* hibited in 1848 a tumult took place and frightful disorders were com mitted and Louis-Philipps abdicated in favour of his intant son. A republic was set up and Louis Philippe and his family were sentenced 10 perpetual banishment, and then Louis Napoleon in 1848 was elected to the National Assembly. He Foon succeeded in getting elected Presi* dent of the Republic, and following in his uncle's steps became Emperor in 1852. He maintained his position until circumstances thrust him into war with Germany, which after his surrender in September 1870, he told Count Bismarck that he did not desire war, but was driven into it by public opinion. An authority says Qri appears to have been greatly l"cpived as to the numerical strength of his army, and its state of preparation. Since then the Third Republic hid to suppress the Commune. One authority cays, French partie9 are fickle, coalitions unexpected, and ministries short-lived. In support of this statement we find that since tbe fall of the Empire in 1870 there have been up to the beginning of this year, a period of 27 years, thirty-five Ministries in France, proving how difficult a country it is to deal dip 1 mUieally with.