M. Camille Pelletan, the French Minister of Marine, is aghin
in trouble. He has not the funds for the expenses of his Department, especially for the fortification of Bizerta, and for a squadron in French colonial waters, and M. Rouvier
will, or can, give him no more. He has therefore endea" voured to save the money by a reduction in the number of men on board three cruisers in the Mediterranean, a measure which, it is alleged, leaves France too weak in the " French Lake." M. Amedoe Reillo therefore on Monday moved what was practically a vote of censure, pressing especially the point that the maintenance of the cruisers had been ordered in the Budget. M. Pelletan defended himself warmly, arguing that to provide for colonial defence he had to save £40,000 here and £40,000 there, and that the cruisers were not at present needed except for empty display. In the event of war all the reserves could be rapidly mobilised. The Chamber, fearing a change of Ministry, supported M. Pelletan by a vote of 288 to 204; but it is stated that the impression of 'his capacity grows weaker, more especially as the Russian Government expresses surprise at his action. He will not, we think, remain ; but it is evident that the cost of the Fleet weighs heavily upon the French Treasury, as it will upon that of Germany.
