France is fast relapsing into a policy of Protection. A
new and large group, already including two hundred and fifty Deputies, has been organised within the Chamber to defend the interests of agriculture and of rural electors generally. M. Maine, the " Protectionist champion," has been elected chairman, and it is understood that heavy duties on the im- port of cereals will be speedily proposed. It is necessary, however, to - get rid of M. Rouvier first, as he is a staunch Free-trader, and it is understood that this will be secured by turning out the Government, which will then be reorganised by M. de Freyeinet as a Protectionist Cabinet. It is calcu- lated that a hostile vote may be obtained on the demand for X64,000 a year as Secret Service money for the Department of the Interior ; but as this would compel M. Constans to resign, some other subject may be selected. There is, how- ever, danger as to this vote, for it is suspected, or known, that the money is partly spent in electioneering, and on that sub- ject the Reactionaries and Radicals, who together make up a majority, are both sore.
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