The French Chambers reassembled on Thursday, and M. Duclerc read
a long Ministerial statement, of which the salient points are these. M. Duclerc tells the Chamber it is the source of . foreign influence, that on its policy the influence of France must depend, and that therefore it ought not to "discuss the ques- tions which are not of a nature to allow at this moment of a harmony of opinions and resolutions, or, in plainer terms, of the formation of a Government majority." He proposes to avoid burning questions, and to bring forward Bills which, though most important,—as, for example, one Bill reorganising the Judiciary, another for transporting all habitual criminals,. a third for resettling the order in which public works shall be undertaken, and a fourth rebuilding the administrative machinery of Tunis—are not, in French judgment, " political " Bills. The reception of the statement in the Chamber was freezing, though it was better in the Senate, and few English. politicians would, we think, hesitate in their judgment. That Cabinet is not strong enough for that place. M. Duclerc does not put himself at the disposal of the Chamber ; yet he neither possesses a. majority, nor sees his way to any proposal likely to secure one. Ministries so situated, fall.
Previous page
