Marshal MacMahon has made another effort to obtain his organic
laws. He has called together the Chiefs of the Conser- vative parties, and told them that he will strike no coup d'itat, but earnestly advised them to pass the Constitutional Laws, especially the one on the transmission of powers. There is no evidence that he has been successful. The Right and Extreme Left, of course, absolutely refuse. The Left refuses, unless the Republic is made definitive, and the Left Centre wants a less Conservative Upper Chamber. If the reluctance continues, the Marshal will either have to give way and leave the succession to accident, or to do what he ought to do,—accept the Republic, and so gain a clear and large majority. He is not likely, however, to embrace this alternative, as events in Spain will greatly strengthen the Monarchists in France, and inspire even the Orleanists who accept the Republic with some doubt, more especially if the new Monarchy succeeds.
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