New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-01
FRENCH MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

Tho axnacted but unwished will this week
occur in France in the retirement of n. Wal
deck Rousseau and his colleagues OF the Cabl-
net The Prime Minister'S reasons for thus
withdrawing from Office have already been dis
cussed in these columns They are honorable
to him and will be appreciated by the republic,
which is grateful TO him for the invaluable ser
vices he has rendered to it during an admins
tration Of three weeks less than three years. 1t
is now fitting TO consider the reasons for the
retirement of the other ministers, apart, Of
course from the conventional rule that all 60
ont with their chief 1t seems probable that
the designations of the various ministers will be
not only formal but positive, and for the pres
ent irrevocable so that there will be not
mere reorganization Of the existing Cabinet
under different head and with perhaps a few
other changes, but practically ''clean sweep"
and the formation of an entirely new ministry
If there is to be any exception to this rule 1t
NAV well be in the case of NJ Delcasse. He has
incurred few anmosities while he has won
much prestige and popular favor by his visit to
Russia and his adroit strengthening of the
Franco-Russian alliance. The question Of his
retention in office may be regarded as one to be
answered by himself on purely personal
grounds AS for the Finance Minister, NJ. Ca
illaux he is understood to desire release from a
Mace which in the next twelvemonth is likely
to cause its occupant much perplexity and not
q little popular odium. The Colonial Minister,
NJ. Decrais is almost broken down with hard
work and must seek rest. General Andre is
disguised with the petty nagging TO which he
has been subjected by his enemies and is deter
mined to retire from the Army Office, while NJ.
de Lanessan, Minister of Marine, finds him.
self in hot water because Of his suppression Of
o-.H-iaa mi Stp of
Commerce. the Socialist NJ. Millerand, is hidden
bv his marty TO retire from Office. N. Monis, in
the Ministry of Justice, and NJ. Leagues In that
of PubIic instruction and Worship, have been
the object of bitter attack, and tor that reason
deem IT advisable to retire, while n. Baudin,
Minister OF Public Works, and NJ. Dupuy, Min
lister of Agriculture, wish to retire in order TO
devote their attention to private business.
The outlook is, then, for entirely new Cab
met but one. as we have hitherto said that will
in the main follow the policy of its predecessor.
AS the resignation of the present Cabinet is
voluntary and is not forced by a hostile vote
no successor to NJ Waldeck- Rousseau is indi-
Gated by the leadership Of the opposition, and at
the present time there are no hints as to the
choice to be made. Many names are suggested.
N. Yves Guyot declares for NJ. Brisson, because
he is sure not to yield TO the Ciericals in en-
forcing the Religious Assoclatiohs law. NJ hlDoI
is mentioned by many. So is Nj. Leon Bour-
geois. So are NJ. Barthou and NJ. Doumer, who
are less well known outside OF France than the
others mentioned, but who men of high
capacity and character. Indeed. it may be said
that any one of dozen or more who might be
named would be practically sure to give France
a good administration. Best of all is the fact
that the choice is to be made by II. Loubet
than whom France has had in the Presidential
chair no truer patriot and no man Of shrewder