The important' speech delivered on Friday week in the French
Chamber by General de Galliffet, upon which we have commented at length elsewhere, contained two interest. ing personal references. While asserting with arguments which may become historical that coups d'etat were no longer possible in France, the Minister of War declared that fifteen years ago General Boulanger might have attempted one, but " he had not the soul of a great criminal," and General Saussier, then Governor of Paris, would have prevented him. As for the present, if the Governor of Paris, "my friend General Brugere, saw me trying it he would arrest me at once, and I should do the same for him." That is very plain speaking from the sternest General in France, and must have carried dismay not only into extreme, but also into Nationalist, ranks. Practically it means that the latter before they risk their necks by a revolt must get rid not only of this Government, but of any Govern- ment which General de Galliffet could enter, and not only of General de Galliffet, but of any Minister of War of equally inflexible honour. They must not only buy two General Monks, which is difficult, but must foist them into the Ministry and the Governorship. Generals cannot strike while out of office—at least this is General de Galliffet's opinion—for they would not be obeyed.
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