2 JANUARY 1886, Page 10

21: Brisson has insisted on tendering his resignation. He says

he is defeated, and that, although by the vote of Thursday the Chamber by 273 to 267 granted the credits for Tonquin, no Government can venture to expend them. The victory waa moral defeat, for had the invalidated seats been filled, the Govern- ment would have been in a minority of 12, and the troops must have been recalled. M. Grevy argues, on the other hand, that a Government cannot look behind the vote ; but M. Brisson, who is irritated by his whole position, is firm, and the President is seeking another Premier. Mr de Freycinet is reluctant to accept power ; M. (31emencean has been quarrelling with Prince Bismarck, by complaining that M. Jules Ferry accepted his mediation with China ; and there only remains M. Floquet, who may be defined as a sensible Radical. If, therefore, M. de Freycinet remains obdurate, M. Flog net must either be persuaded to give up the Presidency of the Chamber, or M. Grevy must bring forward some hitherto unknown man. There have been fifteen Ministries since 1870, and the con- sumption of Premiers is one a year, far too rapid a rate to last, unless Premiers are chosen from outside. The Assembly objects to that as derogating from the attraction of a seat ; but it will come to that at last.