New-York tribune., 1905-01-22

10 close have been eve-ybOdy's lips TheY
sne the names Of NM. RouVier., ,Doumer and Del
casse who politically tower head and shoulders
above all other public men in France NJ. Del
cssse having held the office Of Minister Of For
eign Affairs through several administrations, is
probably the best known OF the trio abroad. A
silent and selfpossessed little man, OF diminu-
tive stature. and without any Of the advantages
of previous diplomatic training. he has directed
the international relations OF his country with
such skill and even genius that he has come 10
be regarded soth among his countrymen and
abroad as the indispensable man at the Quai
d'Orsay. Cabinets may come and go, but he re-
mains. His resignation. along with those of his
colleagues is a mere matter Of form. for the in
coming Premier like the President. is aware
that the best way Of acquiring the confidence OF
Parliament. people and Of foreign governments
is by leaving NJ. Delcasse in possession of his
portfolio as Foreign Minister. and as he restricts
himself almost entirely TO the affairs Of his de-
partraent and is shrswd enough TO remain aloof
in an altogether remarkable degree from the Bit
ter controversies on questions of domestic policy
everybody is content 10 leave him undisturbed at
his place realizing that the foreign relations of
France could not be intrusted to more able
hands How able they are can best be appFeci-
ated when one compares the prestige of France
as great power eight ten years ago with
that. which she enjoys at present To-day her
influence in the concert Of nations IS weightier
shan at any time before in the last fifty years.
ana It is TO the fact that this influence has been
exercised in behalf Of the maintenance Of peace
that the world has been indebted several oc-
casions for the preservation of mankind from a
great European war.
Much less IS known in this country of NJ.
Rouvier, whose pre-eminence as the treasurer
Of the national revenues is almost as universally
recognized in France, even by his foes as is the
superiority of NJ Delcasse in the role of Foreign
Minister He has repeatedly been at the head
or the Department Of Finance. has now been in
trusted as Premier with the task Of recon-
structing the Combes administration, and is
man Of the most striking individuality. He be-
gan life as a drummer for a book seller, whG
SOLD on the instalment plan books OF the kind
given as prizes TO lads in the Lycee school.
subsequently he entered the service Of a Greek
merchant named Zahopoula, who was estab-
hshed az Marseilles. and engaged in the Russian
grain uade. NJ. Rouvier's business took him to
Constautinople, Odessa. Smyrna Alexandria
and to other Mediterranean ports the travel
serving 10 broaden his views and, having ac-
ouired some wealth by speculation, he in 1863
turned his attention TO politics, and devoted all
his energies TO securing the election Of Gam
beta as parliamentary representative for the
CITY Of Marseilles. For this he was rewarded, on
the fan Of the empire in 1870 by being ap-
pointed Secretary General Of the Prefecture Of
the Department of the Boucnes du Rhone. The
following year he himself was elected 20 the
Chamber Of Deputies. Il there that be got
acquainted with that extraordinary and brilliant
woman who afterward became his first wife and
who al the time representing the great Bel
gtan newspaper, the Independence Beige in
Paris more particularly as regarding political
end social features of French metropolitan life
She was the natural daughter of the famous
sculptor Cadiot. Her mother disappeared when
she was scarcely two years old, and from that
time forth her childhood was spent in the vicious
atmosphere Of her fathers st1dio. At fifteen
she became deeply infatuated with the cele-
brated Able Constant, one of the most eloquent
snd learned priests Of the age, and in 1850 he
abandoned the Church in order 10 marry her.
his apostacy creating tremendous sensation at
the time OF course the ex-abbe was excom-
Innnicated, and thereupon assumed the name Of
Eliphas Levi and became the friend Of BIanqui
and of Felix Pyat, the Communist leaders.
Some years after her marriage she departed
from he man who had sacrificed his brilliant
prospects in the Church for her sake, and be-
came thanks TO the tuition Of Pradier a very
talented sculptress Her busts Of the late Due
de Morny. OF Theirs, and her group entitled
The Childhood Of Bacchus,'' won great fame
for her st the annual salons, and were acquired
by the state for the national collection. They
Y Z
trr same name likewise appeared OH the title
page Of several very clever novels which
achieved great popularity as her sculptures
H-was her success as novelist which led her
70 turn her attention TO newspaper writing and
tc become one Of the most highly paid Paris
correspondents OF the Independence Beige"
About two years after making the acquaintance
OF NJ Rouvier, the death Of her former husband
the ex-priest, permitted her 10 wed that states
nan. and she at once became conspicuous fig
uTe in French political life. Indeed she was a
woman Of such remarkable genius and briIlianey
that people Of every degree, even great church
men, came 10 look with indulgence upon the in
discretions Of her early life. The Papal Nuncio
frequently dined with her when her husband
was Minister Of Finance. and at other official
bfnquets. when he was her nelghbor at table
he more than once found himself discussing
doctrinal questions pertaining TO his Church IN
which she displayed astounding knowledge.
which he well knew could only have been ac-
quired from her first husband. the ex-Abbe Con-
stsnt. She died about eight years ago deeply
mouTned by N Rouvier who was accustomed 10
hscrfbe to her support all the success which he
had achieved as a statesman. He has since then
contracted another marriage. But IT Is his first
wife who constituted the romance Of his life
and with whom his as a statesman viii
always be associated in the rnindsof his coun-
tTymen.
NJ. Dourner, too. the new President Of the
Chamber Of Deputies. but who at anv moment
may blossom forth as Premier and who IS uni
versaly regarded as the most likely successor
y Emile Loubet as President OF the republic.
IS a self-made man. lie began his astonishing
career a locksmiths apprentice. and is the
son Of working people Of the humbIest kind.
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