The French President has summoned M. Bourgeois, and he has
formed a purely Radical Cabinet, in which M.
Cavaignac as Minister of War, M. Lockroy as Minister of Marine, M. Doumer as Minister of Finance, and M. Ricard as Minister of Justice, are the most prominent figures. The first burden will fall upon the latter, as he must at once prosecute all suspected of complicity in the Magnier affair, and prosecute with energy too. M. Hanotaux, the Foreign Minister, has refused a seat in the Cabinet because M. Cavaignac, who will inspire the new Ministry, is determined so annex Madagascar instead of protecting it, and it is probable that he will be replaced by M. Decrais. This, however, was uncertain up to Friday afternoon, and M. Bourgeois may have another colleague in his eye. It is scarcely probable that the Ministry will last the usual twelve months, for M. Cavaignac is disliked by the Army as a civilian, and by the bourgeoisie as the advocate of an Income-tax ; M. Ricard will frighten all who know themselves guilty of corruption ; and M. Bourgeois will disappoint the Socialists and *heir friends. M. Faure, it should be noted, has been both rapid and decided.
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