The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-01-16
FRENCH CABINET
WILL STEP DOWN
Majority Too Small to Permit
of TransaCting Business.
NEW MINISTRY DOUBTFUL
ROME REJoICEs AT DOWNFALL
OF COMBES.
NEW MINISTRY DOUBTFUL

Paris, Jan. 15.-The ministry of NJ.
Combes. after emerging successfully
from its bitter midnight struggle in the
chamber of deputies. has decided to
abandon the field while some portion
o. its prestige still remains, and has
SlSnlhed its intention Of reSigning Of
fetal announcement of the designations
has not yet been made, but NJ. Combes
has definitely stated the intention of
himself and his colleagues, and the ter
mination of the ministry after d tenn
pestous career of three years only
awaits the formal submission of the
letters of retirement
Friends of the ministry maintain that
its retirement is voluntary, as NJ
Combes has succeeded in resisting the
effort to compel his fall. The OpDosi-
tion, however. halls the decision as a
victory, claiming that the small ma
JGrity for the ministry last night left
NJ COmbes shOTn of effective strength
to carry out his policies.
Conference Prevented.
NJ. COmbes called at the EIysee pal
ace today for the purpose of comforting
with President L0ubet, but the latter
W as overwhelmed by the critical illness
OF his mother. who died today. The
presidents affection prevented any dis
CuSSlOn OF the cabinet situation and
complexities the time when the resigna-
ton will be submitted. 1t had been in
tended to hold a cabinet meeting on
tuesday, at which the final disposition
or the retiring members was to be
taken. but President LOubet's departure
for Montelimar to attend the funeral OF
his mother has deferred final action.\
Careworn Combes.
Premier Combese received the various
ministers during the day. He looked
mentary battle, in which he occupied
the floor for three hours and was the
ceter of continuous attack during the
remaining hours. He spoke freely of
In intention Of his ca binet 10 retire
as whole. and outlined the details of
its closing work. He regards the re-
tirement-as wholly voluntary. as the
votes last night, although showing
small maJOrities, gave enough margin
TO permit of carrying on the ministe-
rial programme. HOweY r. he consid-
ers that his departure will facilitate the
realization Of the programme instead
or interEuptinG it, since his successor
Will be able to unite the discOrdant ele-
ments which have become personally
hostile to him.
Is Still Powerful.
1t is conceded that NJ. Combee' VOL
UntaTy Withdrawal Will permit him TO
exercise a powerful and probably a de-
cisive influence in the choice OF his sue
cessor similar to that which NJ Wal
deck-Rosseau exercised when voIun-
tarily relinquishing power
Who viii form the next cabinet is not
Yet certain The logic of the situation
appears to point to NJ. Rouvier. and his
lame is most mentioned He is accept
aole 10 both NJ Combes and those who
are rebelling against his authority How
ever if NJ Combes exercises the author
lty TO name his own successor. he may
designate NJ BrissOn. who as president
OF the chamber OF deputies assisted in
the execution Of the COmbes progra un1e.
The name of NJ Milierand Poincere
Mumour and Clemerceau also are promi-
nently mentioned. their strength depend
ing upon later combinations in the ma
Jority group.
All Is Doubt.
However, the personal influence the
president usually exercises is obscurt.d by
death within the household. making the
outcome OF the reorganization Of the min
lsiry increasingly doubtful. The effect
or the change upon the governments
policies IS not considered to be great.
dne new ministry Will have the same ma
pfity as that supporting Premier Ccmbes,
4pe so there cannot be radical change.
This majority has repeatedly upheld III.