New-York tribune., 1905-01-16
NJ. C0MBES TO RESIGN.
CABINET GOES WITH HIN.
He VIII hid in Naming Successor
Little Change an Ministrg's PoIicy.

Paris Jan. 15-The Ministry of NJ. Combes.
after emerging successfully from it's bitter mid
night struggle in the Chamber OF Deputies. has
decided to abandon the field while some portion
Of it's prestige still remains and has signifed its
intention of resigning. Official announcement of
the designations has not yet been made. but NJ.
Combes has definitely stated the intention of
himself and mis- colleagues, and the termination
of the Ministry. after tempestuous career OF
three years. only awaits the formal submission
OF the letters of retirement.
Friends of the Ministry maintain that it's re-
tirement is voluntary. as NJ. Combes has
ceeded in resisting the effort to compel his fall
The Opposition, however, halls the decision as
victory, declaring that the small majority for
the Ministry last night left NJ. Combes without
effective strength to carry out his policies.
NJ. Combes called at the Elys6e Palace to-day
to confer with President Loubet. but the latter
was overwhelmed by the critical illness of his
mother, who died at o'clock this afternoon.
Owing to the death of Mime. Loubet the pres
entation of the designations of the Ministers
has been deferred until Wednesday morning.
President Loubet will begin on Wednesday
afternoon consultations for the formation OF
new Ministry
NJ. ROuvier appears TO be practically decided
on as the future chief of the Ministry. and it is
understood that he has asked NJ. DeIcasse and
NJ Berteaux 10 retain the Foreign and War
portfolios. respectively Until the decision Of the
Cabinet to resign is officially communicated TO
President Loubet who alone is empowered to
receive it. there win be no interruption of par
liamentary work
1t is conceded that NJ. Combess voluntary
withdrawal viii permit him to exercise a pow
erful and probably a decisive influence in the
choice Of his successor. similar to that which NJ,
WdldeCk- -ROUSgaau I1rhaD riT
relinquishing power. The logic of the situation
points to NJ. Rouvier. He is acceptable both TO
NJ. Combes and those who are rebelling against
his authority
However if NJ. Combes exercises the authority
to name his own successor he may designate NJ.
BrissOn. who. as president of the Chamber Of
Deputies. assisted In the execution of the Combes
programme. The names of MN. AIlerand Poin-
care. Doumer and Clemencau also are men
toned
The effect of the change upon the govern
ment's policies is not considered to be great
The new Ministry will have the same majority
that supporting NJ. Combes, and so there
cannot be much radical change. This majority
has repeatedly upheld NJ. Combes's project tend
ing toward separation of church and state. 1t
is therefore expected that the programme re-
Iating to separation will be carried out, although
NJ Combes's retirement probably win exercise
a moderating tendency.
The issue which proved most decisive toward
Fastening the designations of the Ministers was
the popular outcry against secret reports on the
Itves Of army officers The change will un-
douDtedIy insure the abandonment OF the last
vestige of this system. The enactment of an
income tax and other important measures will
not be materially affected.
Premier Combes was waited on this evening
by number of members of the Chamber of
Deputies who urged that he reconsider his
decision to resign but he positively refused to
do so.
Premier Combes received the various Min
listers to-day He looked careworn after ten
hours in parliamentary battle. in which he
occupied the floor for three hours and was
the centre Of continuous attack in the re-
naming hours. He spoke freely of the in
tention of his Cabinet to retire whole and
outlined the details of its closing work He
regards the retirement wholly voluntary. as
the votes last night, although showing small
majorities gave enough margin to permit of
carrying on the ministerial programme How
ever he considers that his departure will Ia
cfIftate the realization of the programme In
stead of interrupting it, since his successor will
he able to unite the discordant elements "hlch
have become personally hostile to him.