Marshal MacMahon issued a General Order after the review of
last Sunday, which, especially as interpreted by the Conserva- tive Press, and as illustrated by a subsequent circular of the Minister of the Interior, M. de Fourtou, to the Prefects, has justly increased the suspicion entertained of the unconstitutional designs of the French Government. The Marshal appeals to his sol- diers to protect the dearest interests of France, and makes it evident by the context that he means to appeal for their aid not against the foreign, but the political enemies of his Administration. " You will help me, I am certain, to maintain respect for autho- rity and law, in discharge of the mission which has been confided to me, and which I shall fulfil to the end." A more formal attempt to introduce political propagandism into the Army,—an attempt which the Monarchists used always to be denouncing,— has never been made. M. de Fourtou, of course, does not meddle with the Army, but lie is incisive, and thorough—or as he himself says, perfectly " frank "—in his assurance to the Prefects that he will not tolerate any subordinates who do not exert their whole power in the electoral campaign on behalf of the Government. " Functionaries of every kind are knit to the Government which has appointed them by ties which they are bound not to forget. We cannot permit any of them to be hostile to us. Any who are not afraid to use against the Government the authority they hold from it, need expect neither toleration nor indulgence." Cynically plain speaking, that. In short, the Minister of the Interior regards administrative intimidation as a positive duty, whilst the Commander-in-Chief calls upon the Army to prick on Conservative zeal at the point of the bayonet. Such is the official interpretation given us of Republican freedom.
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