New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-12
THE SITUATION IMPROVING.
THE CABINET STRENGTHENED BY NJ BUR-
DEAU'S RETIREMENT.
TIE MINISTRY OF MARINE DECLINED BY AD-
MIRAL GERvATs-TNE PUBLIC DEMAND A

MIRAL GERVAIS-TiIE PUBLIC DEMAND
MINISTRY UNTOUCHED BY SCANDAL.
Paris, Jan. l1.-Admiral Gervais has declined
the Ministry of Marine and Colonies, left vacant
by the retirement of NJ Burdcau. His osten-
siSle reason is that he prefers to devote himself
to his present naval duties. as thereby he can
better serve the interests Of France. At the
Cabinet council to-day, after a discussion Of Ad-
miral Gervaiss declnaton, it was decided TO de-
tach the Colonies from the Marine and attach
them TO the Department of Commerce, under NJ.
Siegfred. The Marine portfolio Will he offered
ut once probably to another high naval officer.
VI. Rbots decision to accept VI. Burdcau's dccli-
nation of the Ministry Of Marine has caused Il
decided improvement in the situation. NJ Bur
dean himself, apprccating the public prejudice
against tho continuance in the Cabinet of any
one Smirched even with suspicion of Panama
scandal insisted upon refusing the Ministry of
Marine, and NJ. Rlbot accepted his declination.
With VI. Burdeau removed from the Cabinet it
is now believed that there will BE TO difficulty
in the new Ministry securing the support of tho
Chamber. IL is now stated that NJ. Rbot had
no real intention of continuing NJ. Burdcau in
the Ministry of Marine, and that the announcement
yesterday that he had been so designated was
simply meant to sive him an opportunity for
voluntary withdrawal
NJ. Hubbard, Radical Deputy for Seneet- DISC,
has announced that 10 will address 70 the Min
listers i'll the Chamber request that they take
steps to hcsten the approach of the next general
election.
The Ministers have decided TO agree 70 the
urgency OF NJ. llubbards request and interpella-
tion as to the general election and 70 make their
reply practically Ministerial declaration
There is strong feeling in the Chamber OF
wall Ia, ora1 ,lo+
NJ. Hbot has not yet sufficiently purged tho Min
istry Of those who. whether innocent CT guilty,
have been under suspicion in connection with the
Panama scandal. 1t is remembered that the most
serious evidence given before the Panama Com
mittee of Inquiry in the early part of December
was that OF VI. Ferdinand Martin, who made some
grave accusations against number Of public men.
NJ. Martin, according to his own statement. acted
for the Panama Company in much the same
capacity as Baron Reinach, though the sums placed
at his disposal for the purpose Of bribery were
not so large. He declared that NJ. Burdeau, NJ.
Bahaut and NJ. Granet had constantly received
money from the Panama Company His authority
for this statement, he said, was NJ. Marius
Fontane, one Of the prosecuted directors. NM.
Burdeau, Baihaut and Granet, however absolutely
denied that they had been the recipients Of
bribes, and demanded to be heard by the committee
mails appear to have been accepted satisfactory.
and the fact that no farther evidence appears TO
have developed against NJ Burdcau has been re-
qarded as establishing the falstv Of the charges
against him. The public demand Is strongly for
n thorough investigation without any hamperlng
influences and for Ministry free from the breath
of scandal. ., NH,
Tho "Dcbats" to-day congratulates NJ Hbot
on breaking the bonds which have attached the
Ministry 10 the Radicals and advises NJ Ribot 10
break other bonds which are not conduclVe 10
good administration. The Moderate Rcpnpncan
organs accept the new Ministry with gooi VIII,
while the Radicals dissatisfied ana urge ah
appeal to the country. The Monarchlsfs, IN az, ac-
cord with their policy OF stimulating disoatisia"
ton assert that the new Cabinet Is poWeriess 10 u,
dominate the situation The appointmcnt oi
Admiral Gervais would have been highly poPu5,
lar, and it is thought that it would have tenuct
10 counteract any feeling Of distrust on the pare
OF Russia toward the Republic the Gar haVihg
a high personal opinion Of Admiral ierVais, nS
whom he was entertained In july 1871, WIFI "Iic,,
tbe Gar after his visit 10 the fleet, sent message
of conoratnlation to President Carnot;
II is reported that NJ Tirard, Minis,er n, o.
Finance in.en,s to propose a tax on bou.se
oncrations TO cover the deficit in the budgct, IT,
snltino from the reform of the liquor ta\' ,.1
According 10 a snmi-ofical statement lssueu
tonight N, Baihaut. when he was Minister VI
Public Works in 1886 submitted 10 his c9liehguco
- - Ministry a mutiated version OF Engineer
Roussearrs report on the Panama Canal proJect.
" Ronsscau's report, il is now well-khown' coh-
dcmned the whole enterprise.