In the first place, it is abundantly clear that, from many points of view, the French Government have successfully carried out the policy of ministering to the material wants of the native population.  Public works of great utility have been constructed.  Means of locomotion have been improved.  Modern agricultural methods have been introduced.  Famine has been rendered impossible.  Mutual benefit societies have been established.  The creation of economic habits has been encouraged.  In all these matters the French have certainly nothing to learn from us.  Possibly, indeed, we may have something to learn from them.  Nevertheless, when it is asked whether the French Government is likely to reap the political fruits which it might have been hoped would be the result of their efforts, whether they are in a fair way towards creating a conservative spirit which would be adverse to any radical change, and whether, in reliance on that spirit, they are in a position to move boldly forward in the direction of that liberal reform, the demand for which has naturally sprung into existence from their educational policy, it is at once clear that they are heavily weighted by the policy originated some seventy years ago by Marshal Bugeaud, under which the interests of the native population were made subservient to those of the colonists, numbering about three-quarters of a million, of whom, Mrs. Roy tells us, less than one-half are of French origin.  It may have been wise and necessary to initiate that policy.  It may be wise and necessary to continue it with certain modifications.  But it is obvious that the adoption of Marshal Bugeaud’s plan has necessarily led to the creation of substantial grievances, which are important alike from the point of view of sentiment and from that of material interests.  It appears now that there is some probability that this policy will be modified in at least one very important respect, namely, by the removal of the fiscal inequality which at present exists between the natives and the colonists.  The former are at present heavily taxed; the latter pay relatively very little.  It may be suggested that it would be worth the while of the French Government to consider whether this change should not occupy the first place in the programme of reform.  The present system is obviously indefensible on general grounds, whilst its continuance, until its abolition results from the strong native pressure which will certainly ensue after the adoption of any drastic measure of political reform, would appear to be undesirable.  It would probably be wise and statesmanlike not to await this pressure, but to let the concession be the spontaneous act of the French Government and nation rather than give the appearance of its having been wrung reluctantly from France by the insistence of the native population and its representatives.