OUR PARIS LETTER

Waikato Times, Volume 2507, Issue XXXI, 4 August 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

OUR PARIS LETTER

(l - BOM OUII OWN OOIIBESPONDKNT). Pakis, June 16. Theke are two questions on which France is peculiarly icnsitive—her relations with Germany, and next her colonial expansion. M. de Brazza haa just re-opened the latter by demanding a monthly packet service between the Congo and the ports of Bordeaux and Havre. The colonial policy is opposed by those who believe Prance cannot effectually colonise till her people have a touch of emigration on the brain, the last of maladies likely to arrive ; that she cannot farm them, because eclipsed by German and English cheaper products ; that colonies are a vital drain on her financial and defensive resources, and merely servo as an outlet for dried-up politicians and functionaries glad to milk the State cow in any form. M. de Bruzza, to complete his commercial scheme, wishes also a packet service between Marseilles and French Congo. The grant demanded for the project is 700,000fr. Even were that sum voted it would have no effect on the development of French interests. It is admitted that two existing lines of steamers, one English and the other German, suffice for the wants of tbo Congo, and that all the trade transacted is between the hands, first of the English and next of the Germans. France cannot compete with these nations, not alone in cheap goods, but in the special goods required by the natives. She has no factories to turn out the articles at the competitive prices, and, despite the extra duties to favour Monsieur placed on foreign importal.'cis, the foreigner is able to cut France out of her own market. The exporting houses of England and Germany pay nearly the total, 350,000fr. a year, of tlio Customs revenue of French Congo. There is not really more than one French commercial firm that will not suffice to supply cargo to monthly calling steamers. Besides, the chief products of the country are palm oil, india-rubber and ivory, and such are not largely in demand in France, and when wanted are re-shipped to her from Liverpool. A shipping company trading between, Havre and New Caledonia received a subsidy for calling at Libreville. It did so once, and debarked 30 Annamite natives —recidivists. The boat only obtained 40 tons of cargo at tbe cutting-out price fixed by the French Government, yet tho loss to the shippers did not allow the experiment to be continued. The Belgian line of steamers hud also to be withdrawn. In French Congo, at all events, all the European "wares" the natives demand is limited to tobaoco and whisky. j The Congo territory is very f urtile and

agriculturally rich. Tho population is dense, but refuso to work, and European labour is impossible, ho deadly is the climate. It is oven allogod that M. de Brazza and his cnlnnraijc depend on a German house —Wfirinann and Co.—for the supply of the necessaries of lifo. It is estimated that for every SO French residents at the Congo and Gubuii (hero are 200 functionaries, exclusive of soldiers and native militia. Thcio is no increase of emigration, hut de Brnzza asserts once establish the line of steamers and the French Congo will become "the first flower of the earth and the tirft gem of tlio sea." The sudden and serious relapse of the Kmperor of Germany has dashed the rather bright hopes that were commencing to timidly germinate respecting the Continental outlook. Now chaos has como again. Even those who hoped against hope arc constrained to conclude that his Majesty is doomed, despite his Roman courage, his Herculean constitution, and the extraordinary scientific care with which he is surrounded. The French never so chivalrous as when they are human and generous, sink the memory of tlicir victor in profound pity for the great sufferer, who is made greater by his sufferings. The Senate has given evidence of its utility, just at the time when the crusade for its demolition was hottest. The Floquet Cabinet promised, like all new ministries, plenty of reforms—only no ono was caught by the chaff. The Budget was to be prepared, so as to reduce taxation, and hush the growls of the overtaxed. Judge of the joke : Instead of the financial year commencing in the Ist of January as at present, it was proposed to fix tlie commencing epoch in July— the dog days, perhaps to suit a Chamber whose normal temperature is ebullition point. Until this change was voted, no reduction in taxes could be made. Of course that reformation in the financial calendar, would play ducks and drakes for a long time with statistics, etc. When the Bill was sent up to the Senate, the Pilgrim Fathers, led by M. .Say, saw it was only the usual dust in the eyes throwing. Questioned as to their reforms in the taxation, the Ministers could make no reply. Now they must bring in the Budget, aud make known their reductions. Will the Chamber have the capacity to vote any Budget, after their last tinkering at the annual Milliards. The fight over the "Revision" ot the constitution has now been transferred to the electors, who will have to pronounce the last word on the matter. Royalists, Imperialists, Opportunists, Boulangists, Radicals, and Communists, all agree in denouncing the present constitution, adversaries and partisans alike, which spectacle is at least original, save that other one, where none are precise or state tlio aim of the revision. Each party has its own' ideal: the radicals wish for a new republic since tho varieties hitherto tried—the Amiable, the Opportunist, tho Conservative aud the Athenian—have successfully failed ; tho Communists dosiro a new commune ; tho Bonapartists a Third Empire, and tho Monarchists a king selected by universal suffrage and propped up by limited constituencies; while the Boulangists want a Saviour of Society. M. Victor Lefrane onco maintained that " parallel lines meet;" will the political parallels in France encounter, where all is apparently blind man's buff?

"Why are tho French received as courteously in Berlin as tho English or Russians, and treated so harshly on the frontier of Alsaco? Because in Berlin, diplomacy rules, while on tho frontiers, arms preside. Also, tho bad blood at the frontiers is largely duo to tho secondary officials on both sides being impudent. On arriving in Berlin, a stranger is not worried by spies, as in Alsace; after fifteen day's residence, a clerk from the income tax oifice calls ou you, presents a paper, invites you to state your revenue, and noxt day, unless you decamp, you will havo to pay income tax in advance. A tourist just returned from Kiel attests, not only that the harbour is magnificent, but that the German navy is not to be despised : tho ships are modern, do not want cannons like those of England, and are fitted up with every scientific essential. The Port of Hamburg is simply a Golconda, and the chief manufactures of the city are Havana cigars, Bordeaux wines, and Cognac, Friedrichsruho, the resting house of Bismarck, is still what it was originally an old inn ; the pleasure grounds are all under cultivation ; lawns and fountains are replaced by sugar-beet and potatoes. Nearly all the furniture consists of presents made to the prince on tho occasion of his jubilee; China sent screens, Canada a piano, &c. The paintings are few, the principal one represents Bismarck's two sons charging the French at Mars la Tour. The cheapest wall paper has been employed for the rooms ; the bathroom of the princess has a vast vat for a bath ; the walls of Bismarck's bedroom aie hung with plain framed pictures, cut from the illustrated journals, the shelves aro filled with medicine bottles, but there is not tho sign of any book.

With the running for the Grand Prix terminates the height of the Paris season, and the commencement of the most agreeable period to visit the city. Because a few thousand families decamp to the sea side or the provinces the capital is, by a figure of speech, said to be deserted. Two millions of inhabitants are left behind, and one-fourth of these went to witness the crowning race of the year—the Derby Ascct—at Longchamps last Sunday. They reaped lungs full of healthy air if they won no bets, though one and a half milion francs changed hands on the racecourse, and Madame Carnot won a box of gloves from Madame Floquet, the Premier's wife. The display of toilettes was in itself worth seeing ; it was a picture exhibition aud an horticultural show in one, where the colours white and green predominated.

The marriage of the Due d' Aosta, exKing of Spain, and brother of the KiDg of Italy, with his niece, the Princess letitia, at first caused surprise, because the Duke was reported to be so inconsolable at the loss of his wife, whom he brought away dying from Spain, a3 to suppose he would din a widower, and next his fiancee was believed to be rather inclined to enter a convent, having her mother's pious turn of mind. The Duke is aged 43, tall, bony, deep sunken eyes, seductive manners, and a splendid horseman. He has three children, of which tlie eldest is aged 20. By his wife he has itdierited immense wealth. He resides permanently in Turin, and is Inspector-General of the Italian cavalry ; excepting to represent his brother at all foreign courts on special ceremonies of joy or grief, he takes no active part in court life. The Princess Loetitia is aged 23, and has been reared very retiredly, as was licr mother, the Piincesse C.'otilde, at Moutcalieri. She is not exactly pretty, but her manners are charming. She is a blonde, with delicate carnation coloured features, redolent of health and youthfulness. She is an accomplished musician. As in the case of her father, Prince Jeromo Napoleon, sho strikingly resembles the f.'reat Bonaparte. The best likeness of the Princess U that, taken by her cousin, the Crown Priuce, the first amateur photographist in Italy, The Empress Eugenie, as is well known, intends to leave the bulk of her fortune to Prince Beatrice of England and the future Duchess. The latter attended the French Convent School of the Sacred Ccsur, as simply as any other pupil, coming in the

morning and going homo in the evening. In the roport of the Director of tho Mendicity Department of Paris ho states th;it wi.ik whs offered to 727 sturdy vagrants, at lfr. ;i day; only 415 accepted. Three days later but IS answered tho roll call. Tin; late famous Don ?>o-co, who was a second Si. Vincrnt do Paul among tho outcasts of Italy, preached a series of sermons to 300 prisonous in Turin gaol. He wrote tn Minister Katazzi, asking him to accord the prisoners a day's outing in the country, and ho would be responsible for their integral leturn. The Minister acceded. Ono fine morning Turin beheld the 300 gaol birds marching down tho streets in full liberty, led by tho popular monk. He conducted them to a park lent for the occasion, where the prisoners parsed 13 hours, and then led tho 300 to a man in the evening back to their cells. The Crown Prince—by this perhaps Emperor—of Germany never speaks to Sir Morcll Mackenzie. He flies into a passion when the doctor's name is mentioned, calling him a "quack," a "charlatan," an " impostor," and n "fabrioant of canards." That is gratitude—and revenge —-for the man who prolonged the life of Ins father seven months. A wrinkle for affectionate husbands : 'The town of Villefranche enjoys the privilege, conferred by Ilnmbert IV., Willi the view of attracting visitors, for husbands to thrash their wives till they bleed, provided death does not ensue. San Rimio had that right extended to include mothers-in-law.