New-York tribune., 1901-10-20
THE FRENCH CABINET.
,rpsoNAL TRAITS OF THE MEMBERS
OF THE WALDECK-ROUsSEAU
MINISTRY
Paris, October 2.

siencv" TO clear away the Dreyfus clouds
s,s been in Office for two years and three
-,onths and thus have remained in power for
longer period than any other ministry Of
che Third Republic. The ministry that come.
sseond after the Waldeck-Rousseau ministry In
-ssnect 70 longevity. that OF Thiers which
vss constituted on February 10, 1871. and last
ss two years two months and twenty-nine days.
The WaIdeck- Rousseau ministry is the min
istry Of the Worlds Fair Of 1900, and of the
scent visits OF the Emperor and Empress OF
Russia Its members have already attained
considerable individual ecIat. and as they were
such prominent figures during the imperial cere-
monies at Dunkirk, Compiegne and Rheims. brief
outlines Of their leading personal traits may
be Of interest.
NJ wALDECK- ROUSSEAU
NJ waldeck-Rousseau, president OF the Coun-
cu OF Ministers, has aged visibly during his
storrny term Of office. He is tall and was once
robust and, except when in evening dress. in
variably wears a short, loose cut black sackcoat
and white waistcoat. Like President Loubet NJ
wsldeck-Rousseau is a good listener and an in
e,s,ve questioner His manner is somewhat cold
end stiff Besides great tact he has the valua-
HE gift Of being able 10 prevent his visitor from
hecorning verbose, familiar. or from wandering
rom the essential points Of the subject that
was the object Of the visit. M WaIdeck- -Rous-
seau seldom accords more than ten minutes to
those who come 10 see him; he then rises and.
with a slight bow indicates that II is time to
70 away. The Prime Minister IS nevertheless.
an admirable talker, and when conversing with
ambassadors, princes or great personages, al
ways finds just the right word TO say, and
adapts himself most gracefully to the esprit
and frame Of mind Of his visitor. Those who
there are very few-declare that he is the most
fascinating man in Paris. Last spring. after a
brilliant and witty conversation with Prince
Radolin the German Ambassador remarked:
What a pity II IS NJ. WaIdecs- Rousseau.
that my sovereign has not the pleasure Of know
ing you."
When sitting the ministers bench IN the
Chamber OF Deputies during an Interpolation,
n waldeck- Rousseau seems to wear a mask.
He never smiles moves his head. With
arms folded he gazes steadfastly at the orator
with penetrating stare that frequently causes
embarrassment. When the Prime Minister
cends the tribune TO reply he speaks in a low.
serious tone Of voice, weighing each word with
deliberation, and saying only what is necessary.
Not a syllable is wasted, and he succeeds in
winning over the majority without seeking for
rhetorical effect resorting 70 the trick Of
rounding out his periods. Nevertheless, NJ.
Waldeck- -Rousseaus parliamentary speeches
make excellent reading. but when heard in the
chamber they are somewhat monotonous. The
Prime Minister has q great horror Of empty
phraseology, and has special dislike for off,
cal tours and inaugurations. The projects and
tunctionaries are fully aware Of this and when
one Of them ar a railway station becomes too
lOQuacious II. waldeck-Rousseau cuts him
short by some brusque question. NJ. waldeck-
what OF gourmet. is an excellent judge of
elrgt, he is fond Of bric-A-brac. and is one OF
the best read men in France. He seldom misses
an important article in the Revue des Deux
Mondes" or the "Nouvelle Revue" and when
travelling from Havre recently the two books
that he had IN hand during the journey were
Ia Cite Antique" by FusteI de Coulanges and
the 'Curiosites Esthetiques" by Beaudelaire.
II Waldeck- Rousseau has a beautiful and prob
ably unique collection OF translucent enamels
which II is believed he will leave after his death
10 the Louvre. Until within a few months N.
Waldeck-R Rousseau used TO read a great deal IN
bed, but. owing to trouble with his eyes, he has
been obliged 70 give this up. Nowadays he has
secretary read 10 him while in bed. and after
smoking a few cigarettes. the Prime Minister
falls 10 sleep.
N. DELCASSE.
Ne2l IN Importance TO N. Maldeck-EouS6eau w
is H. Delcasse, Minister of Foreign Affairs. who
has brought 10 bear upon the many intricate
questions that have presented themselves dur
ing his long tenure Of Office a spirit Of practical
common sense, fair play and sound intuition
not surpassed by any Of his predecessors at the
euai dOrsay. N. Delcasse is almost as small
n stature Theirs. He is modest and en-
gsglng IN manner. and has peculiarly penetrating
ano fascinating eyes. which shine like Goals be-
hnd his glasses. Like President Loubet and
H. Waldeck- Rousseau. the Minister OF Foreign
Affairs has intense antipathy TO empty talk
and phraseolOgy. He is very hard worker,
ana manages 10 master the details of his busi
ness and get TO the real gist Of matters in re-
markabiy short time. He is very early riser.
n Delcasse is very fond OF America and Of
americans. He has an excellent cook, and his
diplomatic luncheons and dinners at the Quai
dorsay are among the best in Paris, ana his
wines are particularly well chosen. N. Del
easse who began his career as a journalist, is a
bright and versatile tclker, and. without being
particularly brilliant, always has something to
Ray which is to the point and original
NJ. LEYGUEs.
M Leygues. Minister Of Fine Arts and Public
Iastruction-department which comprise the
efand Opera, the Theatre Francais, the Odeon
sao the national museums OF the Louvre and
-e AuXembourg-is a fashionably dressed,
'--arly groomed man Of polished but somewhat
NN1Oerant manners. He is indefatigable
lAef and his speeches form the antithesis OF
'-0se OF NJ Waldeck- Rousseau, for they are full
- rhetorical effect and invariably terminate
WIN nicely turned phrases. NJ. Leygues does
0' ouy many objects OF art, but he has had
-ehs OF busts made Of himself by prominent
p'ors. besides quite a number OF portraits
: VI and pastel NJ Leygues is the most deco
.ellle perenna Iit-z In, .ta hIrot a-ocSns