FRENCH AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1669, 6 December 1887, Page 3

FRENCH AFFAIRS.

Paris, Dec. 1, M, Grdvy intimated to the Ministry that owing to a change in the political situation ho does not intend forwarding his resignation to the International Assembly to-day. Dec. 2. On the resolve of M. Grdvy not to resign being made known, great excitement prevailed throughout the city. The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies suspended their sitting until this evening. An immense crowd collected outside the Assembly buildings, which were guarded by a strong force of military.

Later. The Chamber of Deputies this evening adopted almost unanimously a resolution virtually requiring M, Grdvy to resign the Presidency. On being advised of the decision of the Chamber, M. Gnfvy intimated that be did not desire to enter into a conflict with the National Assembly, and promised to forward a message tendering bis resignation to-morrow.

Dec. 3. The message from M. Grdvy announcing his resignation as President was presented and read to both Chambers this morning. In taking this step M, Griry disclaimed all responsibility for events arising therefrom, The National Assembly meet at Versailles to-morrow, and at once proceed to the election «f a President, Later, The public announcement of the resignation of the President, was generally received in a quiet manner, no disturbance having arisen. It is understood that M. Gr4vy, in submitting to the resolution to the Chamber of Deputies calling upon him to resign, mistakenly believed that the Chamber, dreading the election of M. Ferry to effice as President, would prefer to retain his (M, Grevy’s) services in that position. The first ballot of the National Assembly in the election of a President vice M. Grery, resigned, resulted in M. Sadi-Carnot beading M, Ferry and M. Freycinet by a large majority. Thereupon the last-named canditales withdrew iu favor of the former, who securing 616 votes was elected. M. Sadi-Carnot was Minister of Finance in the last Freycinet Cabinet. The election of M, Sadi-Carnot is generally welcomed as averting threatened disorders. On Friday evening the streets were thronged by turbulent crowds, who clamoured against the return of M. Ferry to the Vacant post. A mob, principally composed of anarchists, assailed the mounted guards in the Place Da La Concorde, who drew their sabres and charged the crowd. A number of persons wore knocked down and trampled upon in the confusion which resulted.

London, Dec. 1. The Comte de Paris denies that he forged the Orleanist despatches. Dec. 2. M. De Roulede and Louise Michel were arrested for inflammatory speeches, delivered to a large crowd outside the Chamber of Deputies. Dec. 8. In tendering bis resignation, the President stated that wisdom and patriotism made it imperative upon him to waive his rights, leaving the responsibility to those who forced him to adopt this course. He was conscious of having done his duty, and secured to France peace, order, and liberty for nine years, leaving her in a position to defend her honor and rights. The message is regarded as severe, but dignified. The mob on Friday tried to throw into the Seine sympathisers with M.

Ferry. General Boulanger has returned to Clermont.

The lute French President, M. Jules Qrtfvy, was born in 1807 in the Department of the Jura. He studied law in Paris and began his career as an advocate. He gained distinction as counsel in his defence of the revoluniats of 1830. After the revolution of 1848 he was Commissary of the Provisional Government In the Jura, and .was returned by that Department to the Constituent Assembly, in which he was a member of the Committee of Justice and a vice-president. During the presidency of Louis Napoleon, M. Qr6vy opposed the policy of the future Emperor. After the Franco-German war, M. Qrdvy came again to the front, and from 1871 to 1873 was President of the National Assembly, to which in 1876 he was again returned and elected President of the Chamber of Deputies, This office he held till 1879, having been re-elected twice. On the retirement of Marshal Macmahon from the Septennial Presidency of ti e Repub ic, M. Gifcvy wos his successor from January 29th, 1879. He was re-elected to the position on December 28th, 1885. The rise of the new President, M. SadiCarnot, in public life has been very rapid. He is only 50 years of ago, and until recently was comparatively unknown. He was born at Limoges in 1837, studied at the Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole des Fonts et Chausstfas. He became Undersecretary of Public Works in 1878, Minister of Public Works 1880-82, Minister of Finance April 7lh, 1882. He was reappointed to the last-named position on January 7th, 1886. It may be added that the election of President is conducted by the Senate and Chamber of Deputies sitting together in ihe National Assembly. The salary of the President is fixed at 600,000 francs, or £24,000, with an additional allowance of 300,000 francs, or £12,000, for household expenses. —Press.