FRANCE, ANNAM, AND CHINA. I4I 



In 1886 the Government of Henri Brisson were in their turn 

 defeated on the Tonquin question, on the vote of credit for the 

 prosecution of the war, as they were opposed to an evacuation 

 poHcy ; and De Freycinet for a second time was compelled to form 

 an Administration, taking the dual position of Premier and Foreign 

 Minister, and he determined on a change of policy in Tonquin. 

 General De Courcy was recalled, and Paul Bert, the Minister of 

 Education, was induced to accept the position, and upon his un- 

 timely death, M. Bihourd succeeded him. 



In 1887, three Administrations succeeded one another in France; 

 first De Freycinet's Government resigned on the Budgets proposals, 

 upon which an amendment was carried for a reduction of ^1,143,000 

 for the salaries of the sous prefects, and M. Goblet became 

 Premier, with M. Flourens as Foreign Minister ; secondly M. Goblet 

 was defeated, likewise on the Budget proposals, the Cabinet being 

 opposed by the Budget Commission, who were in favour of retrench- 

 ment, which the Ministry resisted, and M. Rouvier became Premier, 

 whilst M. Flourens retained the portfolio of Foreign Affairs ; and, 

 lastly, the Government of M. Rouvier were compelled to resign on 

 the adverse vote upon the question of the Decoration Scandals, with 

 which M. Wilson was involved, and which brought about the fall of 

 M. Grevy as President of the Republic. M. Rouvier was succeeded 

 by M. Tiraud, as Premier, and for a third time M. Flourens became 

 Foreign Minister. 



In 1888, the Government of M. Tiraud were involved in the con- 

 fusion of the Boulanger disputes ; and on the question of the Revision 

 of the Constitution, raised by M. Clemenceau, they, resisted, and 

 were defeated, and M. Floquet became Premier, and M. Goblet 

 Minister for Foreign Affairs. 



Thus in the comparatively brief period of eight years there has 

 been twelve Administrations in France; and upon each and all of these 

 successive twelve Administrations have devolved the trying and 

 onerous responsibility of dealing with the military and civil affairs in 

 Tonquin and Annam ; a responsibility rendered especially difficult in 

 consequence of the widespread unpopularity in France of this miser- 

 able struggle ; and the strongest proof of the unpopularity of the war 

 is to be found in the political reverses and changes in the personnel 

 of the Governments of the Republic during the continuance of the 

 crisis. 



In Indo-China, partly in consequence of these political events in 

 France, and partly arising from defeats and failures, there have also 



