Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/262

 254] FOEEIGN HISTOEY. [1899.

M. Decrais, Colonies ; M. Caillaux, Finance ; and M. Baudin, Public Works. The two last named were young men, new to official life, but what gave to the Cabinet its chief importance and its national interest was the presence of two persons apparently so irreconcilable as the Marquis de Galliffet and M. Millerand. The former, [who took over the War Department, recalled memories and aroused fears, the latter, who accepted the portfolio of Trade and Industry, was the recognised leader of the Socialist party.

The new Ministers convoked to settle the terms of the declaration with which they should meet the Chambers, decided to call themselves a Government of Eepublican defence. Their first acts showed a determination to insure respect for the law. General Eoget was transferred from Paris to Belfort, General Hartschmidt to Eheims, Colonel de Saxce from Eennes to Poitiers. In civil appointments a similar firm hand was displayed. M. Bulot was appointed Procureur de la Ripvblique at Paris, one of the most important posts in the French magistracy ; M. Bernard was made procureur-general, and M. L6pine reassumed the prefecture of the police, recently held by M. Blanc.

It was under these circumstances that the Ministry met the Chamber (June 26) and challenged a vote of confidence. The Nationalists exerted themselves to the utmost limits of disorder. The Chamber, distracted by the hysterical shriekings of the pseudo Socialists who raved malignantly at General de Galliffet, was at a loss how to act. Thereupon M. Brisson mounted the tribune, and in eloquent terms adjured Eepublicans of all shades to rally in support of the Ministry. To make his appeal stronger he made, it was said, those signals of distress which all Free- masons could recognise and were bound to obey. In any case the triumph of the Government, on a simple order of the day, was first defeated by 271 to 248 votes, and one expressing confidence in the Government was carried by 263 to 237 votes, doubtless a weak position, but destined to strengthen with time.

After this struggle the strife of parties grew less keen for a while. M. D^roulede's motion for a revision of the constitution was quietly laid aside. Emboldened by a vote of confidence in the Senate, passed by 185 to 25 votes, the Government con- tinued its campaign against those military leaders whose mysterious underhand proceedings were causing constant uneasiness. General Zurlinden was removed from the com- mand of the Army of Paris and the post given to General Brugfere, and at the same time General de Pellieux, commandant of the City of Paris was transferred to Quimper, and his place taken by General Dalstein, who had formerly been attached to the Elys6e during the presidency of M. Carnot. The most important and the boldest stroke, however, was the dismissal of General de N£grier, who had held an important seat at the Superior Council of War, and had been entrusted with several