The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-19
ROUVIER CABINET
CHANGE APPROVED
Shift of Ministers Gains Favor.
~, able Comment From the
IVA French Press.
BY J. CorneIy.s
New York Herald Special Service.

New York Herald Special Service.
Paris, Nov. 1S.-Last week in the
chamber the Rouvier cabinet was oues-
toned on the subject Of the right of
the government EMPLOYEES to form
unions. NJ. Rouvier replied with firm
ness. on which the members Of the
right took occasion to inhict upon him
being supported by them. This man
euvcr had the effect of increasing his
majority considerably and for once NJ
Rouvier found himself with majority
in which figured the members of tho
right. - II -... =
NJ. Berteaux, stock. broker and min
lister of war, who belongs to the radi-
cal-socialist party, indignant at this
maneuver by the right, at the end Of
the week, without, warning anybody,
chose an insignificant pretext to leave
the minister's bench and take his old
place as a simple deputy -'.-
Thus minist erial crisis was pro-
duced and NJ. Rouyicr met the situa-
tion as follows: NJ Etienne, minister
and was replaced as minister Of the in
terror by M. Dubief. minister of COM
merce. and the last named was re-
placed by q new minister, M. Trouillot,
deputy aof Juna, who had the same
portfolio in the Combes cabinet.
Approved by Press. :
The entire press favorably COM
mented on the new members of the
Joys the support Of many influential
men and has already given evidence of
his strength by settling the somewhat
ridiculous conflict between General Bru-
gere and General Percin, the former
having refused to salute General Per
Gin in the Bois de Boulogne, consid-
ering that General Percin was compro-
missed in the famous "affaire DIES
fchs.''
BY the intermediary of M. Etienne,
General Brugere, who failed to salute
General Percin,. simply because he lid
not see him, has duly done so in, the
presence of the minister of war.
The Naval Strike. =
An event of much more Importance
took place about the same time. For
about month the workmen at the
arsenal at Brest have been excited by
public meeting expressed anti-mili
tary theories. and another violently
attacked and insulted the maritime
prefect, Admiral Pepham. It is to be
noted that this admiral is, if not the
only republican, at any rate the most
republican of all the members of the
general staff Of the navy, a fact which
does not prevent the workmen from de
testing him.
Admiral Pepham having punished the
offenders with temporary exclusion
their comrades espoused their cause
and pretending that there was a de-
sign to rob them of their liberty of
speech, the contagion of revolt gradu
ally spread to the workmen. Of the
Eve other naval stations, all being com
prised in the federation. They threat,
ened to strike, and sure enough on
Tuesday a general strike began at all
the arsenals. 49, -
Naval Strike Failed.
The strike failed completely, thanks
to the fairness and intelligence of the
minister of marine, who issued a proc
lamation calling the attention of the
workmen to all his predecessors anc
what he had done in their behalf, .anC
telling them. he could not permit of {
strike which compromised the nationa
defense and also that all who refrainec
from work would thus exclude them
selves from the arsenals.
Previously NJ. Camille Pelletan hai
expressed the same policy :which h hat
succeeded, and this plan was again sue
|
and M. Thomson, minister of marine
having promised to examine thei
claims, fixed next Thursday as the las
day to resume work. = ~ "
The: strike may now be considere,
terminated.
+ -. Naval System Absurd.
All this shows the absurdity Of tn
system by which naval materials ar
irn nrcfr, 10fn hxy hn %o+o NJ
only does a ship thus built cost NOR
dustry. but between the civil work
men and the naval officers the rela
! tions are as unpleasant for one os fo
the other, because the Officers appl
their ideas Of military discipline to tn
men, who will not stand it: The fail
ure Of the strike is great testimonia
to M. Thomson. -
Parliament is not indulging i
strikes. The senate is discussing tn
question of the separation of churc
and state, which the right is trying t
modify, but the majority will vote fo
it. as it is, especially after the declal
alton of NJ, Rouvier that the failur
of the bill will be the end of his mil
istry. .....
The chamber commenced the debat
on the budget, giving rise to remark
able session on the subject of tn
budget of the department Of justic,
all the deputies in harmony suppor
ing the country's magistrate. Th
discussion was directed to workmen
, pensions, contemporaries were r,
jected, and the members are preparin
to vote on the committee program, til
first result Of which will be the lev,
> ing of new taxes.