The Times' correspondent in Paris gives a curious account of
a conversation between M. Clihnenceau and a friend on the day of the President's election. M. almencean admitted that he had worked for IL Carnet, but he had no expectation or intention of being Premier. It was an electoral compromise, not a political agreement. He had been actuated by a sense of the necessity of keeping out M. Ferry, whose election would have left " a spot of blood on the Republic," and who, he perceived from the preliminary ballots of the Republican Party, would draw off M. de Freycinet's followers. He therefore, though the Radicals had intended to elect M. de Freycinet, "who would have personified our policy in power," threw him over, and pressed forward M. Carnot, a man who bad excited no antipathies. He told M. de Freycinet this after the election in a most uncompromising fashion, saying the Radicals had not chosen him "pour vos beaux year." This avowal is extremely imprudent, for it is fatal to M. do Freycinet's future, and M. Clemenceau, who perceives that, writes to say the con- versation is reported "inexactly." He does not, however, deny the accuracy of any special detail, and as it looks true, the world will suspect that it is as accurate as second-hand reporting ever can be. The ballot has advantages, but it certainly does not succeed in extinguishing intrigue.
