The New Europe/Volume 5/The Internal Situation in France

The Internal Situation in France

The report of General Dubail has given a precise form to the charges which have been levelled for months past, alike in France and in other Allied countries, against M. Caillaux. That statesman has always had passionate opponents and keen supporters; and the discussions which centred round his name easily assumed a violent form and never led to anything for lack of proofs in one direction or the other. For the first time it will be possible to learn something at least of the truth on what has been called the Affaire Caillaux. An inquiry is about to open, and until some decision has been reached it would hardly be opportune to indulge in speculation. It may, however, be well to point out that certain newspapers which are friendly disposed towards M. Caillaux are giving out that in his forthcoming speech in the Chamber he will allege in his defence high political necessity. This style of argument irresistibly recalls memories of the early days of the Third Republic. It was in the name of political necessity that in the famous trial held at the Grand Trianon from 6 October to 10 December, 1873, Marshal Bazaine tried to justify his strategy before Metz.