The French Senate, urged on by the Moderates and by
all the classes which dread the Income-tax Bill, is not disposed to abandon its quarrel with M. Bourgeois. It insisted on Friday week on "further explanations" as to the Egyptian affair, and on M. Bourgeois refusing to give them, a Senator with the significant name of M. Milliard proposed a direct vote of want of confidence. He made rather a good speech, affirming that under M. Bourgeois the position of France in the world had receded, and that its policy in Mada- gascar was " incoherent " — which is true, but is in- tended—and the Senate, on a division, passed the vote of censure by 155 to 85. A meeting of the Cabinet was there- fore called, but decided that as it was supported by the Chamber it need not attend to the Senate's opinion. The Senate must, therefore, give way, or, by refusing to discuss any financial Bills, must practically cut off the supplies. We do not believe that it has the nerve for this, but if it has, M. Faure must demand permission to dissolve. He is himself favourable to M. Bourgeois, but that Minister has against him most Moderates, all the great capitalists, and, we feel nearly certain, the Russian Government.
