18 FEBRUARY 1899, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE unexpected event, which always happens in France, has arrived. On Thursday night the President, M. Faure, died of the Dreyfus case. His constitution was im- paired, his heart was weak, and the worry of his position caused by the developments springing from that case sapped away his nervous strength. At 6 o'clock he told his Secretary be was ill, and, though medical assistance was imme- diately summoned, he grew feebler and feebler, until at 10 p.m. he expired. M. Dupuy, to whom as President of the Council all executive power passes, immediately warned his colleagues, the Governor of Paris, and the Prefects throughout France, measures were taken to prevent disorder, and the Congress, as the Assembly is called when the two Chambers sit together, was summoned for to-day. That body, which includes five hundred and eighty-four Deputies and three hundred Senators, is forbidden to debate on the election, voting by silent ballots, but as an absolute majority is required the ballots may be many. A French Congress, however, usually acts rapidly. The moment the election is complete the candidate chosen is head of the Executive, with powers which are much more extensive than is usually remembered. Successive Presidents, especially M. Faure, have affected to be like constitutional Sovereigns, but M. Thiers intended them to be real chiefs of the State, and a strong man in the Presidential Chair would undoubtedly control the Administration. He can appoint any Ministers he chooses, who have ex officio seats in both Chambers, and he is irremovable, except by the clumsy device of opposing Ministry after Ministry, until he resigns.