The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-01-21
MINISTERIAL CRISIS IN FRANCE
New York SUM-

When on Tuesday NJ. Paul Doumer was chosen
president OF the chamber of deputies by majority
of twenty-five over NJ. Henri Brisson, the govern
ment candidate, Premier Combes doubtless recog-
nized that his overthrow is imminent.
The executive ability displayed by NJ Doumer
in the post Of governor general of lndo-Chna,
which dependency ne made self-supportlng, has
coupled with the sturdy independence evlnced by
him in the chamber of deputies chairman OF an
important committee, caused the French middle
class to see in him the strong man" for whom 1t IS
always hankering He now holds i'll its imagination
the place which was occupied by NJ. Constans III
teen years ago He has long been talked OF com
ing premier, but until lately it seemed probable
that NJ. Combes would be able to retain majority
in the chamber until he should have completed the
abolition of the cOncordat. The disgust, however,
provoked by the governments avowed determine
ton to introduce an income tax, and the ndlgna-
ton excited b. disclosures of the length to which
the spy system has been carried not only III the
military and administrative, but also III the judicial
departments. have already brought him more than
once within hairs breadth of defeat: and now
he has been Enthusiastically beaten, not, indeed, on
cabinet question. but in matteT which involved Il
test of strength, o-wit, the selection of the cham
bers presiding officer There is shrewd poll
ticiaD in France who will not read in this reverse
the handwriting on the wall.
The elevation of N. Doumcr to the post of pre-
mer would be interpreted as proof of align
ment of political forces in the chamber of depu-
ties and as the promise of considerable change in
the attitude of the French government toward the
Catholic religion. 1t would be evident that
dency had moved from the extreme left, composed
of socialists and advanced radicals, in the direction
fthe left center The preponderant faction
would still be intensely republican, but no longer
socalistic or rabidly anti-clerical. 1t would show
itself resolved was its predecessor to do JUS
tice to Dreyfus. but it would at the same time, de-
serve and gain the approval of the army the civil
func md tba midi nv hate
ment of the inquisitorial system. 1t would not
peal the law against religious associations, but it
might administer the statute in a more concia
tory spirit. Above all. it would be called upon by
Its moderate supporters to put stop to the cam
paign for the immediate and total divorce of state
and church in France We add that almost GER
tainly it would renounce the project of income
tax
We take for granted that NJ Delcasse the min
lister for foreign affairs, would not follow Premier
Combes into retirement. His predecessor, NJ. Han
otauX, is understood to be absorbed into the COM
position of monumental work on Cardinal Rich
eieu. an installment of which has been published
and although there Is lack of other candidates
for the place, of them has proved his capacity
for diplomacy by remarkable achievements. So long
as NJ. DelcaSse remains at the head of the foreign
office, the financial, industrial and commercial ele-
mentS of the French nation viii be free from I'M
easness. They can discern at present not cloud
the horizon In his attitude toward Germany
NJ DeleaSSe has dispreey avoided any affection of
cordially, while, al the same time, abstaining
fully from provocation. He has brought about the
most friendly relations between the French repub-
lie and the italian monarchy and has put an end
to the age-long pickering with Great Britain about
the "French shore" of Newfoundland. He has ne
gotated treaties of arbitration with Great Britain
and the United States Above ell. with surprising
dexterity. he has shielded his country from embro-
ment in the far eastern war. while never for mo-
ment losing the good will and confidence of Russia.
In word. he has shown himself a statesman such
the European continent has not possessed since
Bismarck's death.
The French though they are emotional, have
keen eve for the main chance. They know good
thing when they see it, and therefore NJ Delcasse
can count with a close approach to certainty on
keeping the post of minister of foreign affairs as
long he wants it. Premiers may come and pre-
miers go, but he will run OH indefinitely.