On Monday, a persistent attack, in which M. Clemenceatt took
a prominent part, was made in the Chamber upon M. Godefroy Cavaignac, the French Minister of Marine. The Radicals were determined that M. Cavaignac should place the ships which are co-operating with the land forces now engaged on the coast of Dahomey, under the orders of the military com- mander, and proposed a resolution to this effect. The Minister of Marine refused his consent, however, and on a division, he was beaten by 287 to 150. Thereupon the members of the Government left the Chamber in a body, and it seemed for a time as if a Ministerial crisis would ensue. The vote, however, was seen to be a purely personal matter, and hostile, not to the Government, but only to M. Cavaignac. Accordingly, M. Cavaignac has resigned, and M. Burdeau, said to be a man of great ability, takes his place. In truth, M. Cavaignac, who, it is to be noted, is a son of the General of the Revolution of 1848, lost his office simply by his unwillingness to humour the claim of omnipotence made by the Chamber. He tried, in fact, "to come the Admiral" over the Chamber,—an attempt which they resented. Meantime, we do not envy his successor. The troops, if not "blockaded," make no progress in Dahomey,. and a large squadron has to be kept in readiness to help them. At the same time, there is bad news from Tonquin, and before long the Admiralty may be asked to make a demonstration off the coast of Morocco.
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