It is said that the number of workmen oat of
employ in Paris begins to alarm the Government. They exceed 100,000 in
number, and tell the Red Deputies that if not assisted they will revolt. We have given elsewhere reasons for not believing the threat, but it was made, and. M. Bandry d'Asson has not only moved in the Chamber for a credit of £800,000 for the working- men's committees, but has demanded urgency for his motion. The urgency was refused, and although the subject is to be dis- cussed, it is doubtful if the Chamber will vote any substantial relief. The Deputies know that if they do -workmen will begin flocking to Paris, and that next year, or the year after, the emergency will be still greater. What is required. is a system of out-door relief, very carefully managed, but the proposal drives the propertied classes in France frantic with -the fear of Socialism. The Municipality will probably increase its grants, but that does not meet the grand difficulty, the pay- ment of rent. The rag-pickers, for example, have been out of work for eight days, owing to some ill-devised orders of the Prefect, and, failing in their weekly rent, have been evicted in crowds.
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