New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-04

Ministry Survives Serious Crisis
4rn,g Management.


morality nearly shpwrecked the Combes Cabi-
net. NJ Chaumie. Minister of Public In5truc-
ton. and ex oficio rector of the University of
Paris. for nearly an hour stood the cross-fre of
two interpretations, one from Clericals. demand
ing why he did not dismiss NJ Thalamas. the Of
Tending professor of history of the Condorcet Col
lege, instead of merely transferring him the
College Of Charlernagne; the other from the So
cialists. who furious because NJ. Chaumie, in
his capacity of rector of the university, should
have censured NJ. Thalamas for teaching that
Joan Of Arc incarnated for the first time the pa
triotism of the French people without any inter
vention Of divine inspiration, a statement which
in the opinion Of the Socialists and Radical
leaders of the Chamber is quite correct. The
Ministry thus hercely attacked simultaneously
by the extreme Right and by the extreme Left
OF the Chamber in the person of the Minister OF
Public Instruction, lost heart and NJ. Chaumie,
in moment Of despair, accepted a motion TO
pass on TO the order of the day without further
discussion. vote being taken. the Ministry
was defeated outright by 26S against 2S4. and
with this minority Of sixteen was about to quit
Office. Suddenly Premier Combes pulled his
snow white mustache, sprang with the agtl-
ity Of q cat toward the Socialist benches and
harangued them with such electrical effect that
they at last decided to support the Government
Meanwhile NJ. Cornbes's able ueutenants pro
posed another motion, which had been hastily
written IN pencil by NJ. Combes himself. worded
as follows: THE Chamber confident that the
Minister of Public Instruction will conciate
the liberty of the professor with the neutrality
of the opinions Of the students, passes to the
order OF the day" This motion rushed
through the House by vote Of $40 against "a
Thus Premier Combes. a veritable parliament
tary wizard of victory, snatched a NapoIeonic
triumph from defeat and his Cabinet is afoat
once more.
Another picturesque and significant debate
occurred. enabling NJ. Berteaux, Minister of
War, to put on record his condemnation of tale
bearing in the army and his sound practical
common sense. Being iercely questioned by
Clericals. Royaists and Nationalist whether the
disgrace Of talebearing would still continue
der his administration. and being confronted
with the sensational charge Of NJ. Lafere, a
Socialist Deputy. that France was guarded "by
an army prepared TO execute coup detat"
thereby being attacked at once both by Cleri-
Gals and by Socialists Maurice Berteaux, who
is a great, strapping specimen of humanity
with broad, athletic shoulders and an open
honest countenance, pushed his way to the
orators tribune, which was surrounded by
enraged deputies, shaking their fists in one
anothers faces and said 1t was ridiculous to SUP
pose there should not be differences Of political
opinions among army officers, Just as there are
among other classes of society. This was quite
natural. but It should be remembered that dur
ing the period Of Boulaneism- amid all the ex-
citing days notably the afternoon Of the cleo
ton Of President Loubet, the army had re-
manned absolutely loyal to the republic NJ.
Berteaux, who forthwith won the confidence Of
the Chamber declared that his predecessor,
General Andre, had made huge bonfire at the
Ministry Of War of all talebearing reports and
slips of paper, and they were now all destroyed.
Here there was tremendous applause. NJ
Berteaux said his ideal to be impartial
and paternal and 10 defend the republic. His
maiden speech as Minister of War had the hap
piest result.
AS an instance Of the paterral and practical
way in which NJ Berteaux manages the army,
it is related that two Saint Cyr cadets one
Socialist the other Conservative, had vo-
lent political dispute, and the late Minister had
convoked a court martial to try them for in
subordination- Meanwhile they were both
in the graduating class. their commissions as
Heutenants had been withheld. NJ. Berteaux
at once dismissed the court martial and had
the two young cadets brought before him. In
his cabinet he gave them both a sound, drastic
fatherly scolding, and 80 Impressed the two
young men that they spontaneously shook
hands with each other. and NJ. Berteaux with
out further ado handed them their commissions,
and the two happy lieutenants. after clinking
glasses of champagne together at a neighboring
restaurant, joined their respective regiments.
This off-hand. practical way adopted by NJ
Berteaux to solve intricate problems is highly
popular in the army and throughout the
country.
The bill laid before the municipal council of
Paris yesterday, the adoption of which is con-
sidered certain authorizes the citv TO LET AT
nominal rental Of one franc, a large lot of land
adjoining the Champ de Mars for the erection
OF the Palace of the American National Instt-
tute. for the purpose Of an American art school
under the patronage of the United States Gov
eminent analogous to the National French Art
School in the Medicis Palace. at Rome, and in
which annually a Prix de Paris viii be awarded
similar to the Prix de Rome accorded by the
French school in the Italian capital. The bill
stipulates that if within year from date the
American government does not provide gift of
$3.50 900 the lease will be annulled.
Brights disease Of Jonn Munroe at Saint Ger
main causes deep regret to Americans here.
His mother Mrs. Munroe. whose health since
last August has been somewhat feeble but In
the last few days has been considerably i'm
provsI. and his widow have received messages
Of sympathy from hundreds of friends In France
and the United states. John Munroe m his last
moments expressed wish for a simple funeral.
In compliance with his desires no funeral
notices are to be issued. and il is requested that
no flowers be sent The funeral will take place
on SUNDAY afternoon at the American Church
In the Avenue Alma. OF which he was a deacon,