Though the outbreak cannot be regarded as anything but serious,
it would be a great mistake to exaggerate its actual significance, or to suggest the possibility that the Government will not be . perfectly well able to overcome disorder. The Army, except in the case of the local regiments, can clearly be relied on, a fact shown by the indignation and hatred of the soldiers which are now being expressed by the mob. Again, it must not be forgotten that the outbreak, as M. Yves Guyot points out in a striking letter in Thursday's Times, only includes four departments, and that in those four depart- ments only a section, though doubtless a most important section, of the population is affected. In all probability peace will be completely restored in the course of the next three or four days. It is impossible not to feel great sympathy with the unfortunate people in the South, but we are convinced that nothing but time and patience will bring relief. France will no doubt refuse the fundamental remedy which we have already suggested. To prevent the evils of over-production you must increase exchanges, but the only way to increase exchanges is to adopt Free-trade and abandon Protection. You cannot get people to take more of your products unless you will also take more of theirs.
