10 JUNE 1899, Page 2

The hatred of the upper classes for the Republic has

been exasperated by these occurrences into a sort of frenzy. Pre- sident Loubet, who on Sunday visited the racecourse at Auteuil, was not only hooted and insulted with cries of " Panamiste," but was struck by Baron Christiani on the hat with a stick,—the Baron, however, receiving on the spot a very sound thrashing from lookers-on. On his return, also, the President was mobbed, not apparently by the people, who intend to-morrow to give him a great ovation, but by the jeunesse dorle, followed by the supporters of M. Deroulede. It is even declared that there was an intention of kidnapping him, but this seems to have been mainly talk. M. Loubet, who remained quite calm, informs his friends that the assault has finally decided him to remain at his post, but he demands energetic protection for the dignity of the Presidency. Infect, he informed M. Dupuy, who showed some lukewarmness in the matter, that unless greater zeal were displayed, he should at once send a Message to the Chamber, a hint which terminated hesitation. Baron Christiani has been at once prosecuted, and is said to be liable to five years' imprisonment. One or two lawyers of eminence have been dismissed, and one Judge is threatened with dismissal for "laxity in defending the head of the State," and altogether there is the kind of vigour at headquarters which in France makes authority respected.