Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/266

 258j FOREIGN HISTORY. [1899.

tionist8, upwards of 2,000,000 francs in gold and notes having been found, but was not removed.

M. de Galliffet at the same time was taking, not without much precaution, measures against the chiefs of the Army, who aimed at making themselves by degrees independent of the Ministry and of the Government. Generals Herv6, Giovanelli, and Langlois, inspectors of the forces, were placed (Oct. 24) on the reserved list. The Superior Council of War was reorganised, and the Minister of War resumed his right to nominate officers to the great commands.

The idea of prosecuting M. D6roulfede before the High Court for an attempt to overthrow the Government had to be modified. His previous acquittal on the point of fact by the Seine jury was a bar to a second trial for the same offence. It was, how- ever, still possible to indict him for conspiracy with MM. Buffet, de Vaux, de Lur-Saluces, Barillier, Guerin, and others. The proceedings, which often led to scandalous scenes, dragged on for nearly two months, the defendants being anxious to com- plicate the matter by prolonging the trial until after the sena- torial elections of the New Year. In this they were disappointed, for the decision of the High Court, although not delivered until after the close of the year, was pronounced before the lapse of the outgoing senators' mandate. The proceedings were marked throughout by the most violent and indecent attacks by the accused upon their judges, and by M. Deroul&de especially upon President Loubet, for which he was sentenced independently to three months', and afterwards to two years', imprisonment. Others of the accused had to be removed from the Senate House, ■and the case against them continued in their absence.

In view of the agitated state of public feeling the Government had postponed for nearly a month beyond the usual date calling the Chambers together for the supplementary session (Nov. 14). The Budget, however, had to be voted, and even to be distri- buted to the deputies. Whilst this was being done the Ministry brought forward two bills, which had been prepared during the vacation, having for object the control of Clerical intrigue. The first act, however, of the Chamber was to question the Government on its general policy, and this gave M. Miline an opportunity of denouncing the dangers of Socialism. After two days' debate, however, the Government by 340 to 215 votes obtained a vote of confidence, but this crushing majority did not discourage the motley body which constituted the Opposition, who next seized upon the events connected with the unveiling of a monument, " The Triumph of the Republic," by the sculptor Dalou. The President, the Ministry, and the municipal authori- ties took part in the ceremony, which included a march past in front of the statue erected on the Place de la Nation oy the various trade unions and labour societies of the capital. Some of these groups insisted upon carrying red flags contrary to the orders of the police, and on their refusing to furl them the Presi-