The French Chamber reopened for business on Tuesday, and it
at once became evident that the conduct of the Ministry during the Recess had greatly exasperated the Opposition, both Reactionary and Socialist. The main assault made was on General de Galliffet, and it was so far effective that it elicited from the Minister of War a most outspoken reply. He declared that much as he re- gretted the necessity, he would say everything, and he did it,
describing the guilt or folly of every officer removed in brief but crushing phrases. He had removed General de Negrier because he had asserted in an address to his officers that the Council of War intended to intervene—" to act" was the phrase used—in the Dreyfus affair. General Roget had been sent away from Paris "because he talked too much." He had deprived General Zurlinden of the Governorship of Paris, but he offered him the command of the 19th Algerian Army Corps ; he declined, and when he re- pented the post was filled up. As to General Hartschmidt, who talked most imprudently, he was placed at the head of the 12th Division at Rheime ; "and if we have a war, every one will thank me for having put him in this post of con- flict." The Minister maintained throughout that he had never exceeded his " rights," and that he intended to continue acting as he had done. He had never had the slightest com- munication with any Pretender. General de Galliffet's crisp, imperious sentences and almost Cromwellian bearing pro- duced a profound effect, and helped to raise the Government majority on Wednesday from the expected 60 to 125.
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