It was expected for a moment in Paris that the
Republican Party, which is now greatly embarrassed by the Wilson scandal, would take advantage of the proposal for the conversion of the Four-and-a-Half per Cent. Loan to turn out M. Bouvier, and then allow a new Ministry to drop the inquiry. This exceedingly dangerous and improper course was not, however, pursued. On the reassembling of the Chamber on Thursday, the leaders warned their followers not to mix up finance with politics, and M. Bouvier's proposal to convert Four-and-a-Halfe into Threes was voted by 276 to 161, a very small vote. He was even allowed, if the holders rejected his offer, to raise a loan for their repayment, a demand perplexing to the majority, who stand pledged to raise no more loans at all. It was only carried by 239 to 223. The Inquiry Committee then, rejecting a remonstrance from M. Bouvier, reported that there ought to be an inquiry into M. Wilson's conduct, and the Chamber soddenly filling agreed, by 314 to 233, to come to a decision to-day. It will be observed that this vote is a heavy one, the number present exceeding the number who voted on conversion by more than a hundred, and being within forty of an absolutely complete House. That is ominous for M. Wilson, and the more so because M. ClEmenceau admits alarm at the turn that things are taking.
