New-York tribune., 1902-05-22
n W4LDECK-POUSSEAU.

The authoritative announcement is now maze
that NJ. Waldeck- Rousseau will resign his place
Prime Minister Of France before the meeting
of the new Chamber of Deputies. Such action
will be regarded with regret, but not with sur
prise by intelligent observers. 1t has been fore
cast in these columns and the reasons for it, or
some of them. have been indicated. We need
not say that NJ Waldeck Rousseau wants to get
back TO his yacht and to his paint brushes and
easel though doubtless he will enjoy so DO
ing; nor that he is chiefly moved by desire to
resume his professional practice and regain its
great profits. though it is not every man who
will cheerfully resign a princeIy income for the
sake of the public service Apart from all such
personal and private considerations, there are
others of public and patriotic nature which
doubtless move the Prime Minister TO relinQuish
his place.
NJ Wadeck- Rousseau was more than any
other Prime Minister of France in recent years,
called to office for a specific purpose 70 do a
specific work 1t is probable that he would not
have accepted the place had it not been for the
urgency of the demand. Now he has fulfilled
that purpose and completed that work. HIS
mission is accomplished. The urgency is ended.
Therefore he feels himself at liberty to retire.
1t will be DO deserton of the post of duty. The
duty is performed. and the doer of it is relieved
of further obligation There are also other rea-
sons. The doer of so strenuous work as that
which has engaged NJ. Waldeck-Rousseau's at
tention for the last three years is bound TO incur
antagonisms which are reflected from himself
upon the cause which he represents, and these
are felt even by some who on general principles
approve the work he has done. That fact is
one of the penalties of achievement 1t sug
gests the expediency of the retirement Of him
who has borne the heat and burden of the day,
TO be replaced by some one who has not incurred
such animosities. yet who may be trusted to con-
tinue the same general policy.
The France of to-day is far different France
from that of three years ago, thanks 10 NJ Wal
deck Rousseau. Then it was rent by factional-
ism. Treason was rampant. The army was dis
affected. The authority of the national execu-
tive was openly fiouted in the departments.
The republic seemed to be upon the verge Of
revolution or dissolution. Men dared not at the
time give full expression to their fears, but to-
day they recall them as the gravest since the
foundation of the Third Republic. To-day those
evils are remedied. The Dreyfus business is
settled The army is loyal and properly subject
TO the civil power. Treason has been made
odious-or ridiculous. The authority of the ma
tional government is supreme and unchallenged.
The republic is secure. The example has been
established of stable administration. To
crown ALL an increased majority for the gov
ernment has been secured in a general election.
Such is the contrast between the France which
VI. Waldeck Rousseau received from his prede-
cessor and that which he will hand over to his
successor.
The administration of this Prime Minister has
been OF great benefit to the French Republic
while it has lasted. 1t can scarcely fail TO con-
tinue its good influence for long time here
after. Its example must be an inspiring one to
its successor. while its substantial performances
will afford to that successor a most auspicious
foundation upon which to build its own editice
of good works. 1t would be folly, of course, TO
pretend that there are no more difficulties and
dangers before the Third Republic. There are
many of them, problems which it will take all
possible wisdom and strength rightly TO solve.
But NJ. Waldeck- Rousseau has made IL clear
that such requisite wisdom and strength are not
lacking in the French nation, and that fact en-
ables the nation TO face the future with hope
and confidence.