492 P. S. Rcinsch French conception, because we are of past servitude and hence by- atavism predisposed to integral enslavement in collectivism, because we poor islanders can have no ambitions beyond being functionar- ies." The present governor has gone so far as to declare that in Martinique the regime of large properties is incompatible with the actual social state. In order to maintain and protect it, he consid- ers it indispensable that the laws which govern British dependencies be applied to the colonies.' The French Socialists look upon their colonial associates as an important accessipn to their force and are ever ready to defend the colored democracy. " For us Socialists the negro workmen of Martinique are brothers in humanity, having the same rights and aspirations. They have their place in our hearts."^ They count upon the colonial deputies in their fights against the reactionary tendencies and the colonists in turn are al- ways pointing to their services in the establishment and mainten- ance of republican institutions in the mother country, as a basis of their claim to have the principle of colonial representation pre- served and extended. From the experience of the French Antilles we can draw some general conclusions as to the working of the .system of representa- tion there in use. Considering first representation in the national parliament, we find that it has given the deputies themselves great personal influence. Since the ministries are usually in need of every vote that can be obtained and since the colonial deputies are more independent in national affairs than are those who have French con- stituencies, their support is always courted. The very adoption of the republican form of government in 1875 was made possible by the votes of the colonial deputies ; the Wallon amendment, by which the title of president was bestowed upon MacMahon, was passed by a majority of only one vote. In 1882, just when the affairs of the French nation were in a serious crisis, M. Blancsube, the deputy for Cochin-China, was the leader in bringing about the overthrow of the Freycinet government. The colonial deputies and senators are by virtue of their office members of the Conseil Superieiir des Colonies, the assembly upon whose advice the colonial ministry bases its action. They also take a leading part in all con- gresses where colonial questions are discussed. The important In- ternational Congress of 1889 and the French national congress of 1890 were practically led in all their resolutions by Senator Isaac of Guadeloupe. He there favored not only the complete assimila- tion of the older colonies to the metropolitan institutions and the I Cited in the course of the interpellation of March 26, 1900, Les Co/onieS- 2M. Alexandre Zevaes in the interpellation of March 26, 1900, Les Co/onUs.
