M. Ferry's Bill for the reorganisation of the French Senate
has been defeated, the Chamber having on Tuesday adopted M. Floquet's proposal to elect all Senators by Departmental household suffrage. The vote was 267 to 250, and it was at first thought M. Ferry would resign ; but he has decided to send the amendment up to the Senate. That body will reject it, and M. Ferry, in the consequent debate in the Chamber, can make the withdrawal of Tuesday's vote a Cabinet question. It is stated that the Deputies are alarmed by the unpopularity of the Government among the peasants, who dislike the Chinese war, dread further taxes, and are annoyed by M. Ferry's German leanings, He is protected mainly by the difficulty of
finding a new Premier before the General Elections have revealed clearly the condition of opinion. M. Briason, his pre- sumptive successor, is not willing to take office, looking forward to the Presidency; and M. Clomenceau, the Radical leader, has still to conciliate the Left.
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