Once more is France plunged into political turmoil. 'The Méline Cabinet, which has remained in office for the almost unprecedented period of two years' and six weeks, has resigned office after one of the most extraordinary conflicts which even the French Chamber's record can furnish. The debate was on the general policy of the Goveroment and was the first trial of strength after the elections. Early in the second day it became evident that the main point of conflict was the hostility of Republicans and Monarchists. M. Méline £4) was asked if he intended to still rely on the support of the Right. He declared that he hid neither asked for nor rejected that support. This reply pleased nobody, for it failed to convince the Republicans and alienated part of the Right. M. Paul de Cassagnea signalized his return to the Parliamentary arena by a declaration of star against the Government, because, he said, M. Méline was ungrateful for the support of the Monarchists.
When the discussion. was closed, a resolution was moved by.MM. Ribot and Dupuy, approving the declarations of the Government and expressing the determination of the Chamber to practise a policy of democratic reforms founded on the union of Republicans. This motion was adopted. It was then proposed to add the words ''and supported by an oxclusively Republican majority." M. Méline opposed this addition but it was adopt-by a majority of 49, and then the Ribot motion with the addition was put as substantive resolution and carried by 284 votes against 272. Thus the Government was both victorious and defeated at the same time; the Radicals after voting for the exclusively Republican majority turned round and opposed it when it formed part of the ensemble; while the Right voted for the ensemble' although it contained a clause specially directed against themselves! After perpetrating this extraordinary muddle the Chamber adjourned, and on the following day M. Méline ud his colleagues resigned. Apparent we are entering upon a period of good old-fashioned Patlinmentary chaos. The wire pullers and tombers de ministeres are anti. cipating a good time.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.