M. Thiers protests very strongly against this unreasonable delay of
the elections. In a legal opinion, prepared by some of the ablest Liberal lawyers, but revised by the ex-President, he declares that the elections ought not, under the Constitution, to be delayed more than three months, and points to the bad effect that extreme delay will have on the foreign policy of France. Most serious negotiations may beat hand, in which the wealth and trength of France might be important factors, but no Govern- ment can be strong until it has settled its relations with the Assem- bly. This argument is said to be repeated by Prince Bismarck, Audis so obviously true that it will have effect even in Conservative circles. Suppose the Eastern Question to be ripe for negotiations by the first week of November, what part is France to play, with a President who may be thinking of resignation, a Foreign 4seretary who may be expecting dismissal, and a Government distracted by uncertainty as to what party will hold the control of the Budget? France could not move a soldier without a vote sanctioning a loan.
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