The programme read by M. Ferry on Thursday is lengthy
and argumentative. The Ministry say they will " terminate the incident" of the Princes and try to avoid crises, and that they will go forward with reforms one by one, and with modera- tion. They propose to reform the Magistracy, to improve the Municipal Law, to carry the Habitual Criminals Bill—making -thrice-convicted persons liable to transportation—and to intro- duce Bills establishing provident societies and regulating trades anions. They will negotiate with the great railway companies for the construction of the new lines required, and they will -complete the organisation of the Protectorate in Tunis. Their foreign policy is peace, but " a peaceful policy is not neces- =sarily an inactive one. Wherever in foreign questions our in- terests or honour are involved, we mean and ought to maintain France in the rank lelonging to her." These expressions are vague, but it is understood that the internal " reforms " will all be in the ultra-Liberal sense, and that the Ministry will seek foreign influence and more colonies. That is, they will press " claims," in Egypt, Tripoli, Tonquin, Made- -gascar, and the South Seas. That policy will not be approved by the electors, but it is said that M. Ferry has con- -ciliated the Extremists, and will be supported by the threat -of Dissolution, of which his followers stand in great awe. He ruled last time for twelve months, but we hardly anticipate for him on this occasion that extreme longevity. If he can get on -till August, he will have done much ; and if he is too warlike, he may fall in a month.
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