Paris, Apr. 16.
After great delay, which indicates either a lack of confidence on the art of the higher powers or the force of bureaueratis traditions in 0 old a country, the movement to "save the franc" at last appears to be making some headway. The central committee, of which Marshal inted president over not yet in operation, the explanation being that some of the eminent personages whose services it was thought necessary to secure were away from home, and so the organization wag delayed, although it must have been obvious that in matters of this kind the essential is to strike while the iron hot. Chambers. of Commerce, mess firms and public body [various kinds have Gubseri donations from poor people have come in, showing that the parti aspect of the movement has not been ost upon the French people, who are still ready to repeat the finan: effort made by their father 1870, Up to the present, however, the matter has not been managed very skilfully. Subscribers still do not know exactly what will be done with their money or what guarantees they will have against the fund being swallowed up in the bottomless pit of public expenditure instend of being strictly set aside for debt redemption and nothing else, Subscriptions will no doubt come in more Feadily when proper assurances are iven. At present there is a disps tion to treat the subject with a certain amount of levity. The phrase "voluntary contribution" has been seized upon by humorists, and much enjoyment is derived from the spectacle of Government officials struggling with contributions Kind, which they are expected to value and convert into money.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.