Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-16
N. Combes' Ministry Gives
Up the Fight.
Abandons Field After Three
Years Of Stormy Weather.
NJ. Rouvier VIII Probably Form the
New Cabinet.

| fom its bitter midnight struggle in the
Chamber of Deputies has decided to
| abandon the field While some portion
| of it's prestige still remains. and has
sisnlied its intention of resigning. Of
| fetal announcement of the designations
| has not yet been made, but NJ. Comhes
has definitely stated hat the intention
| of himself and his colleagues and the
| termination of the ministry after a
| tempestuous career Of three years on
| ly awaits the formal submission of the
| letters of retirement.
Friends of the ministry maintain that
| it's retirement is voluntary, as NJ.
| Comics has succeeded in resisting the
effort to compel his fall. The opposi-
| ton. however. halls the decision as
victory, claiming that the small ma
| jorities for the ministry. last night, left
| NJ Comics shOrn of effective strength
to carry out his policies.
NJ. tombes called AT the ElESee pal
| ace. today for the purpose of cpnfrr-
ring with President Lounet. but the
| la1ter was overwhelmed by the critical
| illness of his mother who died at ,
o'clock. this afternoon. The Presidents
| aflction prevented any discussion Of
! the cabinet situation.
| Premier Combes received the various
ministers during the day. He spoke
! freely Of the Intention of his cabinet to
| retire as a whole and outlined the de-
| tails Of it's closing work. He regards
the retirement as wholly voluntary. as
the votes. last night, although showing
small m2joritieS gave enough margin
| to permit of carrying on the ministerial
| program. However. he considers that
| his departure will facilitate the realiz
| alton of the program instead OF inter-
| rcpting it, since his Succe SSOr Will b."
| able to unite the discordant elements
| which have become personally hostile
to him.
! 1t is conceded that NJ. Combes' vollln-
tHry withdrawal will permit him to tX
ercse Il powerful and probably de-
cisive influence in the choice of his
successor similar to that which NJ.
NrlGeck- Rosseau exercised when he
voluntarily relinuuished power.
The effect of the change upon the gov
ernmnnts policies is not considered to
i.e great. The ministry will have the
same majority as that supporting Pre-
mier Combes. and 50 there cannot be
much radical change. This majority
has repeat "dly upheld NJ. Combcs pro
| jert tending toward separation OF
| church and state. 1t is expected there
fore. that the program relating to sep
| aration will be carried out although
NJ Combes' retirement probably Will
exercise Il mOderating tendency.
| President Loubet will begin. Wednes-
dav afternoon consultations for the
formation of a new ministry. Nj. Rou-
| viCr appears to be practically decided
| upon IS the future chief of the minis
trv ana it is understood that he has
asked NJ Dclcassc and NJ. Rerteau to
retain their foreign and war portfolios.
respectively.
| Paris Jan. l5.-Premitr Comics cabinet
| weathercd another storm. after session
of the Chamber of Deputies lasting until
| o'clock this morning. and secured ma
| iority OF ~ on "A motion supporting the
decLl~ations of the ministers and APPROX
ing the policy of the government. III,
result WA reached after debate in
Viii, h there were frequent violent alter
cations which threatened free right.
and during the course of which an opp"-
sition deputy tiourisncd Il saucepan in the
| face Of the premier
| 1t vas generally expected ina me S''N-
| sion oi III" chamber VI Deputies. To-Day.
| would cuimiidt" in the overthrow OF IN"
| ministry ri Premier tomh"S ara me
Iio"r> aud :;allry Were packed 10y PERSONS
| vii" desired to witness the final struggle
| Tho contes; against the ministry had been
| Slowlr gaining ground. The prime ipal nle-
| mrnts 81 nprosijion were FIRST thos,. com
| batting the policy of Premier Comics for
| srnnr1tinn Of church and state: second
| tb,sc ,lpnolIncinc th,. governments col
| lection Of secret reports regarding the
| lives If army officers and third those
cnnr tanning Of the tardncsS Of the minis
| nv in passing a Law creating an income
ian.
| There WIS question rs 70 the
| strength of the. maiorl ! until Premier
| Comics Saturday. found himself con
| front,I h,. rebellion in his own ranks His
| lurrCh in closing the three DAYS debate
| on tli, policy Of the government wis a
| vehement d, renee OF his ministry ami a
dynunci;.ti lion of his dctractors.
| They are tho same men who sought
,,rniA AZ, IL VIZ VIZ, ,''M ,,tnn,'tir.. ! cn,r,,
J'rtnt." said ii. Comb"s
| Tho nr"mi'r referred 70 the oh!umnlcS
~ ~ !, ;. ti,, ,;r,, ~ cnmnitt ~ wnrI;
against tn" religious associations and if
me fniiisl,N va r ",n,it'n ~, H. 80 ;,co,,l