Show TROUBLES OF THE FRENCH That the French government has troubles of its own may have been observed ob-served by the czar who evidently counts upon carrying out whatever plans he has in mind without French aid Revolution is shaking its fist at the military despotism which controls the courts and councils of France Prince Victor the pretender is ready to take advantage of the first outburst of dissatisfaction dis-satisfaction which may escape the French populace and on account of the Dreyfus matter and all the scandals and exposures which have grown out of it the French people are pretty thoroughly thor-oughly disgusted with militarism and army corruption The London Spectator is Inclined to believe a revolution in France is imminent immi-nent and it asks Who ever knew even Frenchmen to indulge In their present violence of language unless a revolution was at hand Certainly French sentiment is ripening ripen-ing for revolution The people are excited ex-cited the army is sullen and the amy sulen government gov-ernment filled with apprehension Like Spain it is illy prepared for foreign disputes while domestic affairs are in such a volcanic state Yet at such times other powers adapt ad-apt to assert their right or insist upon concessions which under different circumstances cr cumstances might not be urged germany Ger-many is disposed to act offensively the United States is trying to make France stand around in China and England is forcing several controversies to an issue The official correspondence which passed between Yance and England regarding Madagascar has been made public I consists of stories of protests pro-tests and complaints by the British government of the French action first of securing British neutrality by promising prom-ising that the French protectorate would not be overstepped and that British rights would be guaranteed whereas the protectorate a promptly turned int6 annexation and British rights were annulled second by allowing allow-ing the French agent to forbid native traders to deal with foreigners third in increasing the duties on British goods to absolutely a prohibitive extent ex-tent fourth by issuing official illustrations illus-trations of French trademarks < and urging the natives to buy no others In 4 k order that they might be known to bo true sons of France and fifth by forbidding for-bidding coastwise traffic to all foreign vessels a decree only revokedbecause there were not enough French vessels to carry it British diplomats of the Monson linB those who believcjin talking right out in meeting declare that these protests covering eleven months did not evoke one single answer from the French government They say that France simply ignored every promise and treaty engagement and never even acknowledged the repeated official protests pro-tests of Great Britain There is also a dispute between these powers concerning shore rights in Newfoundland New-foundland which compared with other difficulties confronting France is insignificant insig-nificant There is grave trouble in store for the French nation which will last while arrogant ar-rogant army officials are permitted to dictate the foreign policy intimidate the courts and override the rights and wishes of the people |