The San Francisco call., 1905-01-15
Head Of French Cab
met Threatened
by Deputy.
TumultuOuS Scene Followed
by Bare Victory for
Government.
Ministry's Policy Is Approved by Ma
jority of Only Ten Votes in
the Chamber.

PARIS, Jan. Is, 2:15 a. m.-Premier
Combes' Cabinet weathered storm in
the Chamber of Deputies session last
ing until after l o'clock this morning.
and had a majority of ten on a motion
supporting the declarations of the Min
listers and approving the policy of the
Government The result was reached
after a debate marked by frequent vic
lent alterations, threatening free
fight, and during the course of which
an opposition deputy fouriShed
saucepan in the face of the Premier.
The majority, although not large, is
considered sufficient to insure the re-
tention of the Ministry.
1t was generally expected that the
session would culminate in the over
throw of the Ministry of Premier
Combes, and the floors and gallery
were packed by persons who desired to
witness the final struggle. The con-
test against the Ministry had been
slowly gaining ground. The principal
elements of opposition We're:
First, those combating the policy or
Premier Combes for separation of
church and state; second, those de-
nouncing the Governments collection
of secret reports regarding the lives. of
army officers, and, third, those COM
planning of the tardiness of the Minis
try in passing law creating an income
tax.
These various elements sapped the
Strength.sof the majority until Premier
Coinbes found himself confronted by a
rebellion in his own ranks. His speech
in closing the three days debate on the
policy of the Government was ve-
hement defense of his Ministry and
denunciat ton Of his detractors.
They are the same men who sought
to protect Esterha5y, who glorified Col
oneI Henry and who now seek to arouse
the army to the pitch of attempting
coup d'etat," said combes.
The Premier referred to the cal
umnies which had not spared his white
hair He wished to complete the work
against the religious associations and
if the Ministry were retained, he said,
it would proceed to consider the income
tax and .workingmen's pensions, and
the separation of church and state, but
the latter would be modified so as to
avoid any spirit of intolerance. In
closing Premier Combes said:
Il hope the majority will be main
tanned in order to carry out this policy.
If there is to- be another Ministry it
would be one of reaction. The Cham
Der must choose between marching on
ward or lending itself to reaction
The speech was interrupted by noisy
demonstrations of applause and dis
approval.
Ribct and Bos attacked the Minister,
the latter declaring that Combes' pol
icy was one of falsehood and dssimula-
ton. An indescribable tumult fol-
lowed. The Socialists endeavored to
scale the benches to attack members on
the opposite side Of the Chamber and
amid cries of "Traitori" "Coward."
"Assassin." the President temporarily
suspended the session.
The violent scenes were renewed
when the session resumed, and a pre-
liminary vote showed the Government
had a majority of ten. The decisive
vote was taken on a motion of Bien-
venu Martin approving the declarations
and programme of the Government,
which was adopted by a vote of 2S9 to
279.