The San Francisco call., 1905-06-07
French Minister
of Foreign Affairs Re-
signs Because of 0ppo-
sition of His Colleagues
ROUVIER ASSUMES
DUTIES OF OFFICE
Change Due to Growing An
tagonism of Cabinet Mem
bers to Attitude Toward
the German Government

fGAfltS, June IA presidential decree
accepting the resignation of Foreign
Minister Delcasse and appointing Premier
Rouvier Foreign Minister ad interim ap-
peared in the Journal Offieiel this morn
ing
Delcasse yesterday presented his resig-
nation and definitely retired from any
further direction of the foreign affairs of
France. His resignation was submitted
at meeting of the Council of Ministers
held at the Elysee palace, under the
presidency of President Loubet. The
council lasted nearly two hours. The
meeting aroused deep interest owing to
the belief that the Moroccan situation
wolld result in ministerial crisis.
Delcasse, in submitting his resignation,
explained the reasons leading I'D to his
action. He said he recognized that diff
ferences of view had arisen between him.
self and his colleagues relative to the ex-
| ecution of the foreign policy Of France,
particularly concerning the direction OF
the negotiations with Morocco. There
| fore he believed it to be desirable, in the
interest of the ministry and Of the coun-
| try, to place his resignation in the hands
! of the President.
Premier Rouvier in responding, ex-
pressed the regrets of his colleagues, add
Eing a tribute to Delcasse for past serv-
| ices. Rouvier thereupon announced that
| he would take ad interim the duties as
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
ROUVIER TO SERVE INDEFINITELY
| Later it was announced that Rouvier
would hold the portfolio of Foreign Az
| fairs indefinitely, probably yielding the
Ministry of Finance, which he directs in
addition to being Premier, in order to
devote his entire attention to the solution
of the troubled foreign situation.
! The final meeting between DelcaSSe and
his colleagues developed unusual interest
/ as he found their sentiment united
against the policy he had pursued After
| explaining his views on the Morocco and
| other questions, the Ministers presented
their views, thus showing complete dis
accord between him and them. Delcasse
himself said the divergences formerly
4 existing had reached a stage where he
found all his colleagues opposed to him.
| Therefore, he added 1t only remained for
him to surrender his portfolio.
Delcasse's retirement from the council
| chamber brought out numerous evidences
| of personal esteem which. however, did
not remove the somewhat painful feeling
| caused by his resignation following a d.
/ vergence of views.
Should Rouvier decide to eventually
select a successor 1t probably will be one
of the Embassadors-Jules Cambon, for
merly at Washington. and Barrere. now
at Rome. being the most prominent un-
der consideration.
STRONG MAN AT THE HELM.
Diplomats attach much Importance to
Rouviers taking up foreign affairs, as
they regard him as being a statesman OF
| unusual force. They foresee marked re-
suits in the various pending interna-
| tiona1 questions from RouvierS direction
of foreign affairs. The change in the
cabinet is expected to ameliorate the
Moroccan situation, first, because Ger
many, being satisfied with the fall Of the
minister VINO ignored her during the
early stage Of the Moroccan negotiations.
will now be disposed to treat In a more
friendly spirit with his successor, and
also because the new policy of France
probably will seek to secure Germany s
cooperation rather than prolong the re-
sistance to Germany's claims.
The cabinet discussion yesterday, while
covering the general Moroccan situation,
did not include a definite decision regard
ing the response which France proposes
making to the Sultans proposition for an
international conference This question
d will be dealt with subsequently.
Delcasse and Rouvier had conference
4 lasting half hour late in the afternoon.
when the Premier assumed direction of
the affairs of the Foreign Office.
pEssIMIsTIC VIEW PREVAILS
The resignation of Deicasse has
caused much uneasiness in parliamentary
quarters, where a pessimistic view. pre-
2 walls concerning the relations between
France and Germany. Some deputies de-
clare that a situation involving posi-
bilities of war has been narrowly averted.
and that 1t will be difficult even now to
reconcile the differences already Gre
ated
Premier Rouvier appeared to give
some ground for this view when he APP
pealed to the Deputies not to press their
/ vi
that pending conditions required the full
est exercise of patriotism.
q Some of the evening papers gave sem
sational prominence to the lack of pre-
paredness of French defenses on the
. German border However, the Temps
presents a more conservative view, de-
4 cIarine that the past error of seeking to
ignore Germany must now be changed to
a method of conciliation, an equal desire
in that direction being displayed on both
sides.
.sThe interests at stake says the
Temps s'are In the highest degree sns-
ceptible of arrangement, and both par
ties. agreeing in wishing Tor soiution
will doubtless work together with frank
ness and good will in order to attain it. :
This is the prevailing tone of the in
huential press
LONDON. June THE striking coinci
dence of the resignation of Deicasse, ths
French Foreign Minister. and Emperor
Williams elevation of Chancellor vor
Bulow. occupies foremost place in the
morning newspaper editorials, as indiea
|, tive of the success of the German policy
in Morocco. and, also, in a certain meas
1 ure. of German satisfaction over the dis
comffture of the ally Of France in the
: Far East.
, Keen regret is expressed at the fall Of
Delcasse. who has been regarded as 9
strong pillar of peace in Europe. and
although the honor bestowed on Coun
! Won Bulow is doubtless compliment OF
the occasion of the marriage of tht
: Crown Prince. it is. felt that it enpha
sizes the realization of Germany's dip
lomatic aspirations