I. The session of the National Assembly resumed-Incident raised by Bismarck-The Pascal circular-First acts of the Cabinet-Moral Order.

II. The Le Royer interpellation-The religious questionPilgrimages-The cult of the Sacred Heart-The votive Church of Montmartre.

III. The Shah of Persia in Paris-Celebrations in his honour -Opening of the monarchical campaign-Adjournment of the examination of the constitutional laws.

IV. Measures taken against Republican propaganda-Special powers given to the Permanent Committee-Gambetta at Grenoble-The Left Centre declares for dissolution. V.-Reorganisation laws passed during the summer session. General law of Army reorganisation July 24th, 1873—The Assembly prorogued from July 29th to November 5thMessage of Marshal MacMahon and manifesto of the groups of the Left. VI.-Liberation of the territory-Last incidents of the German occupation-Payment of the balance of the war indemnity-The evacuation completed on the 16th of September.

The Session Resumed

IT

I

T might have been supposed that the events of the 24th of May would suspend the parliamentary session. Nothing of the kind happened: both sides were eager to join in the fray. A few days were allowed for the new Ministers to settle down, and the sittings were resumed, without a break, until the 29th of July.

M. Thiers to

In this short session, rapid but very significant skirmishes indicated the points on which the weight of the contest was soon to bear; namely, political and social "resistance," religious matters, and schemes of constitutional law. The respective positions were sharply defined in the very first engagements. The Lefts grouped themselves around Return of M. Thiers. He had made up his mind with the Assembly his usual promptitude. Not thinking that his greatness compelled him to remain a mere spectator, he had decided to take his seat in the Assembly by right of his position as representative of the Department of the Seine. On May 27th, as M. Clapier, a member of the Right, was speaking, he came in and sat down, says the official report, on the fourth bench on the Left side, between M. Gouin and M. Wallon."

As soon as he appeared, the whole Left rose and saluted him with prolonged applause. The Left Centre joined in this manifestation, and on the following day M. Christophle, in the name of the group, asked for a correction in the official report Yes," cried Admiral Jaurès, we all stood up, all of us. Thus the union was accomplished, and M. Thiers became the leader of the united Lefts.

to this effect.

66

From the very first Gambetta assumed the part of peacemaker. Moving among the members of the extreme Left, who had so much to forget with respect to the vanquisher of the Commune, he advised patience, union, discipline. At that time he already felt that the coalition of the Rights was in fact too much divided to succeed in founding a final system, and that their impotence would serve the cause of the Republic.

Changes in

The first actions of the Government Administra- were eagerly watched and proved to be tive Staff the easiest portion of its task-that portion, at any rate, which was most agreeable to its friends, that is, changes in the administrative staff. J. T. Weiss has said: "The 24th of May had to choose between being nothing but a change of Prefects or being a monarchical revolution." 1 The change of Prefects was the first step.

M. Beulé, the day after the formation of the Cabinet, unfolded his views on this subject in a circular addressed to his agents. "The National Assembly expects before everything, from the Government which it has appointed, an administrative staff inspired by similar thoughts, directed with precision, and openly taking the lead of the Conservative party." By proclaiming aloud the side on which their sympathies and favour lay, the Prefects "would form a true Government majority in France."

Action followed; Admiral Gueydon, the GovernorGeneral of Algeria, was replaced on the 10th of June, 1873, by General Chanzy, whom the Government were not sorry to remove from Versailles."

M. Ferdinand Duval, Prefect of the Gironde, was appointed, May 28th, 1873, Prefect of the Seine. In the Departments, a few Prefects, AttorneysGeneral, Sub-Prefects, and Mayors, sent in their resignations.

Others, in a still greater number,

1 J. T. Weiss, Combat constitutionnel, p. 85.

2 Chanzy was appointed Commander of the land and sea forces at the same time as Governor-General. Under his predecessor these functions were separate. A return was made to the system of military Governors. See J. M. Villefranche, Histoire du Général Chanzy, p. 291.

were relieved of their functions. Every official who directly or indirectly had shown sympathy with the Republic was sacrificed or threatened.

The new officials belonged for the most part to the Orleanist party; even some former officials of the Empire were re-appointed. The pass-word was the same everywhere: "Down with the Republic!"

Administrative severity was employed against the Republican press. Suppression, in the Departments in a state of siege, interdiction of sale in public streets in Departments under the common law, were pronounced against some twenty newspapers. The distribution of a paper by its ordinary agents was placed on the same footing as hawking.

There were some modifications in the diplomatic service. While the Marquis de Banneville and Comte Bernard d'Harcourt, ambassadors at Vienna and London, demanded, the former to retire, the second to be placed on the unattached list, the Marquis de Noailles, MM. Lanfrey, Ernest Picard and Jules Ferry, Ministers at Washington, Berne, Brussels, and Athens, left their posts voluntarily. They were replaced by the Marquis d'Harcourt at Vienna, the Duc Decazes in London, M. Bartholdi at Washington, the Comte de Chaudordy at Berne,1 Baron Baude at Brussels, and the Marquis de Gabriac at Athens. The last-named vacated the post at the Hague, which was assigned to M. Target in recompense for his decisive part in the transactions of the 24th of May.

These changes, which took place in the course of

1 On this occasion the French Legation in Switzerland became an Embassy.

1873, whether their motive was official routine or party considerations, were to have no influence upon the direction of foreign policy. The Duc de Broglie, in his first circular to the representatives of France, had laid great stress upon this. “The difference which arose between the majority in the National Assembly and M. Thiers," said he, "had nothing to do with any point affecting foreign policy. . . You will therefore have no change to make in the instructions which you received from the late Government."

Nevertheless, a disagreeable incident occurred.

Ill Humour

marck

In conformity with custom, the Duc of Bis- de Broglie had notified the election of Marshal MacMahon to the Powers. He left his card at the houses of the foreign Ambassadors in Paris. Great Britain and Turkey alone acknowledged the reception of the notification. No reply was received from Germany, Austria, Russia, and Italy. After some days the Duc de Broglie learned what was taking place. Prince Bismarck, very much annoyed by the fall of M. Thiers, hesitated to recognise the new Government. At any rate, he wished to make his ill humour felt. Not satisfied with the notification, he required that the French Ambassador should receive new credentials. Under his influence, Austria, Russia, and Italy took up the same attitude.

In France, said Bismarck, the Republic is not definitely founded, as in the United States and Switzerland. The Powers have recognised "the Government of M. Thiers." This is the Government which sent its Representatives to them. Other letters are necessary to accredit the same Representatives in the name of Marshal MacMahon.