The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-16
.COMB[S MINISTRY
RESIGNS THIS WEEK
French Premier Will Lend Sup
port to Rouvier's APP
polntment


PARIS, Jan. 15.-The ministry of M.
Combes, after emerging successfully
from 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
signified its intention OF resigning. Of
fetal announcement of the resigna-
tion has not yet been made, but NJ.
Combes has definitely stated the in
tention of himself and his colleagues,
and the termination of the ministry
after tempestuous career of three
years only awaits the formal submis-
sion of the letters of retirement.
Friends of the ministry maintain that
its retirement is voluntary, as M.
Combes has succeeded in resisting the
effort to compel his fall. The opposi-
ton, however, halls the decision as a
victory, claiming that the small ma
jorities for. the ministry last night left
M Combes shorn of effective strength
to carry out his policies
M. Combes called at the Elysee pal
ace today for the purpose of comforting
with President Loubet, but the latter
was overwhelmed by the critical ILL
ness of his mother, who died at 3
o'clock this afternoon.
Discussion Postponed
The presidents aff1iction prevented
any discussion of the cabinet situation
and complicates the time when the
resignation will be submitted. 1t had
been intended to hold a cabinet meet
ing Tuesday, at which the final dispo-
sition of the retiring members was to
be taken but President Loubets de-
parture for Montelimar to attend the
funeral of his mother has deferred
final action.
Premier Combes received the various
ministers during the day He looked
eareworn after ten hours of parlia-
mentary battle, in which he occupied
the floor for three hours and was the
the remaining hours. He spoke freely
of the intention of his cabinet to re-
tire as whole, and outlined the de-
tails of its closing work. He regards
the retirement as wholly voluntary, as
the votes last night, although showing
small majorities, gave enough margin
to permit of earfFiAg onesthe minis
terial programme. However, he con-
siders that his departure will facilitate
the realization of the programme in
stead of interrupting it, since his sue
cessor will be able to unite the dis
cordant elements which have become
personally hostile to him.
Choice Of Successor
1t is conceded that M. Combes' vol-
untary withdrawal will permit him to
exercise a powerful and probably de-
cisive influence in the choice of his
successor similar to that which M.
Waldeck- Rousseau exercised when VOL
unfairly relinquishing power.
Who will form the next cabinet is
not yet certain. The logic of the sit
uation appears to point to M. Rouvier
and his name is most mentioned. He
is acceptable both to M. Combes and
those who are rebelling against his
authority. However, if M. Combes ex-
ercises the authority to name his own
successor, he may designate M. Bris-
son, who as president of the chamber
of deputies assisted in the execution
of the Combes programme. The names
and Clemenceau also are prominently
mentioned, their strength depending
upon later combinations in the ma
jority groups However, the personal
influence the president usually exer-
cises is obscured by death within the
household, making the outcome of the
reorganization of the ministry in
creasingly doubtful.
The effect of the change upon the
governments policies is not considered
to be great. The new ministry will
have the same majority as that sup
porting Premier Combes, and so there
cannot be radical change. This ma
jority has repeatedly upheld NJ.
Combes' project tending toward sepa-
ration of church and state. 1t is ex-
pected therefore, that the programme
relating to separation will be carried
out, although M. Combes' retirement
probably will exercise moderating
tendency.
Popular outcry
The issue which proved most de-
cisive in Fastening the RESERVATIONS of
the ministers was the popular outcry
against secret reports on the lives of
army officers. The change will un-
doubtedly insure the abandonment of
the last vestige of this system. The
enactment of an income tax and other
important measures will not be mate
rally affected.
Premier Combes was waited upon
this evening by a number of members
of the chamber of deputies, who urged
that he reconsider his decision to re-
sign, but he positively refused to do so.
Owing to the death of Nine. Loubet,
the presentation of designations of the
ministers has been deferred until
Wednesday morning. President Lou
bet will begin on Wednesday afternoon
consultations for the formation of a
new ministry. M. Rouvier appears to
be practically decided upon as the fu-
ture chief of the ministry, and it is
understood that he asked M. Delcasse
and NJ. Berteaux to retain the foreign
and war portfolios respectively.
Until the decision of the cabinet to
resign is officially communicated to
President Loubet, who alone is en-