26 FEBRUARY 1881, Page 2

M. Gambetta made a very striking speech on Monday, apropos

of a question whether the Government had sent arms to Greece. They had not, but hints were thrown out in the debate about the "occult Government" of France, upon which M. Gamhetta descended from the tribune and declared. that there was no occult Government. He challenged any Minister' or diplomatist to show that he had ever intervened. He had his opinion as Deputy, sometimes he had expressed it, as when he had spoken against attending at Beadin, but he had never inter- fered. He "repudiated all responsibility for the acts of the Government." He bad never expreesed an opinion on the Naval Demonstration, though he had one, and " if I disposed of fleets, it is not to places like Dulciguo I would send one." France ought "prudently and uninterruptedly" to strive to resume her place in the European concert ; but he had imposed on himself .a duty of reserve, "and should. impose it, until the day when my country thinks fit clearly to invite me to another duty." The object of all the accusa- tions was to deceive the electors, by declaring his policy one of war, and BO extort a panic vote at the elections ; but the mauieuvre was now exposed, and it would fail, "He wars- not uneasy, for twenty years of experience had assured him of what the country wants, and of its being tired of declamation." The speech is declared on all hands to have produced a profound sensation, which will last till the elections, and to have disposed of most of the calumnies against M. Gambetta.