The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-26
SCENES IN THE CHAMBER.
Gen. Chanoine's Spectacular ResigDa-
tion-Dcfeat OF the Ministry.

jected demonstration at the opening of the
Chamber of Deputies. The Cabinet
met this morning, and the minister OF
marine, NJ. Lockroy, announced that he
would shortly introduce scheme for the
administrative and financial reorganization
of the navy. A meeting of Progressives and
Republicans decided not to support the gov
ernment's internal policy, but TO uphold to
the fullest extent its foreign policy
There was considerable disorder about the
approaches of the Palais Bourbon when
NM. Derorlede. Millevoie and other depu-
ties arrived, accompanied by a crowd of
supporters. Members of the League of
Patriots who were crossing the Place de la
Concorde shouted 'Vive rarmee!' and the
Republican guards were obliged to clear a
passage A conflict with the police ensued.
A band of anti-Semites attacked and in
jured commissary of police with loaded
sticks. The ringleader. NJ. Guerin president
of the anti-Semitic League. was arrested.
When NJ. Roubot. the anti-Semite leader,
arrived there were further disturbances,
with cries of Down with the Jewsl" and
cheering for France. A detachment OF
cuirassiers charged and dispersed the mob.
Several arrests were made.
The session of the Chamber of Deputies
had no sooner opened than M. Deroulede
made violent attack on the minister Of
war, General Chanoine. whereupon the lat
ter arose and explained the conditions under
which he accepted the portfolio. In so doing
he declared that he was of the same opin-
ion as his predecessor, evidently referring
to the question of reopening the Dreyfus
case, a remark which was greeted with
cheers and protests, the uproar lasting five
minutes
When General Chanoine was able to re-
sumo speaking he asserted that he was the
guardian of the honor of the army, and
concluded with saying angrily: Il place
in your hands the trust I received, and l
tender my resignation in this tribune" The
announcement was received with loud cheer
ing.
BRISSON TAINTED.
General Chanoine then left the Chamber
of Deputies, and the premier, NJ. Brisson,
ascended the tribune. There he was greeted
with shouts of "Resign!" while the Leftists
cheered him Justify. M. Brsson said Gen
eral Chanoines declaration was complete
surprise to him, as the general had been
present at the Cabinet meeting which de-
cided to submit the documents in the Drey-
fus case to the Court of Cessation. The
general, M. Brisson continued. did not then
raise any objection. Continuing, the premies
said that the government was fully deter
mined to uphold the civil power against
the military. and he asked for a suspen-
sion of the business of the chamber, which
was granted. During this suspension NJ.
Brisson went to the Elysee Palace in order
to communicate to President Faure the
resignation of a General Chanoine.
While NJ. Deroulede was speaking two
of the deputies, NM. Basly and Paulinmary
engaged in a personal encounter, which
caused intense excitement among the mem
bers Of the house and the crowds of spec
tators in the galleries. Finally the deputies
rose in a body and protested against the
conduct of the fighters.
During the suspension of the business OF
the house the discussion in the lobbes was
on General Chanoines unprecedented course
Of resigning in the midst of a session and
without giving previous hint of his. in
tention to his colleagues. The moderate Re-
publicans maintained that in view of Gen
eral Chanoine's act all political differences
disappear, and that Republicans of all
shades must unite and face the situation
Committees representing the Radical left
the extreme Radicals and the Progresssts
met and agreed to support the order of the
day. affirming the resolution of the chamber
to make respected, under all circumstances
the supremacy of civil power, and to ad-
journ the discussion of the interpretations
until Thursday. The Socialists also prom
ised to support the above resolution.
After the Chamber had resumed business
at o'clock NJ. Brisson announced that the
irregular resignation" of General Chan
noine had been accepted, and that his sue
cssor ad interim would be appointed this
evening. The premier then proposed that
the Chamber adjourn until Thursday next
and he concluded his remarks with reafirm-
ing the supremacy of the civil power.
ACTION OF REPUBLICANS.
After attempts on the part of various
deputies to discuss the alleged military plots
the insults to the army, etc, their remarks
being punctuated with Interruptions and
cheers M. Ribot, III behalf of his friends
including NJ. Meline, approved M. Brisson's
statement and added: I'VE have every
confidence in the army and do not wish tc
see it attacked. All republicans are united
on this subject"
M. Demahy then proposed resolution
calling on the government to end the cam
paign OF insult against the army" but NJ
Brisson refused to accept it.
NJ. Cavaignac, the former minister oi
war, then rushed TO the tribune and demand.
ed an immediate discussion of the resolu.
ton. He was greeted with hostile shouts
including "Sabre." Forgery 'RazorI'
which caused great uproar. The shouting
Of the word "Razor!' was an allusion tc
the suicide of the late Colonel Henry who
is said to have cut his throat in his prison
cell at fortress after confessing to having
forged one of the Dreyfus documents
though 1t has since been claimed the razor
with which the deed was committed was
not found in the cell of the deceased.
M. Brisson then accepted the order of the
day proposed by NJ. Ribot, affirming the
supremacy OF the civil over the military
power. Several of the deputies attempted tc
speak. but their voices were drowned in the
uproar which filed the Chamber The order
of the day was adopted by a vote of 25s to 2
An amendment proposed by NJ Berger
censuring the government for not causing
the honor of the army to be respected" was
lost by 2T4 to 261 votes.
M. Demahy then proposed a resolution
calling on the government to lend the cam
paign OF insult against the army"
The president refused to accept the mo.
ton. and a vote was taken on II amid Sc
much confusion that scrutiny was demand.
cd Later this showed that the government
was defeated by vote of 296 TO 24S
After the result OF the scrutiny had beer
Continued ON second PageJ