Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-08
French Cabinet Unexpect-
edIy Encounters Ad-
verse Vote.
1T AFFECTS MOROCCO
Comes at Critical Stage in Me-
gotiations--- s---PropositiOns
Presented.

Paris, March S.-A semi-offici
statement on the subject of the Moro
can conference says: THE ministe
ial crisis does not affect the FrenC
policy at the conference" This is d
signed chiefly to warn Germany not
take advantage of the situation.
Creates Confusion.
The fact is the ministerial hiatU
confuses matters and threatens til
agreement which otherwise might hay
been reached today.
President FalIieres today began
series of consultations relative to th
formation of a new ministry.
Like Bolt From Clear sky.
Paris. March S.-The French cabine
resigned last night, following a crisi
which came like a bolt from a clea
sky. The whole nation is excited owe
the dramatic overthrow of the Rouvie
ministry. Premier Rouvier is regarde
as the strongest man in France. 1t
universally conceded that he alon
averted war with Germany over MoroC
co last June. when he forced Delcass
to resign and assumed the portfolio o
the foreign Office himself.
Effect in Morocco.
Now. just as the Morocco affair ha
reached it's critical point at the Alge
ciras conference NJ. Rouvier and hi
entire ministry is forced out of Office
by a union of his own supporters will
his enemies over a petty issue raised
by the church and state separation
law.
All Europe will recognize the gravity
Of the international crisis forced by
he sudden withdrawal of the one man
whose name has apparanetly stood as
a guarantee for peace. The crisis
comes at the moment when the Franco
German contest has reached a decisive
stage. and it may exert an adverse in
huence not only on the Algeciras con
ference but on European affairs.
Much Excitement.
The lobbies of the chamber and all
The political resorts in Paris were
Lhronged by excited politicians until a
ate hour. There is widespread aston
over the result and general
speculation as to the future Nothing
can be said yet as to who may be NJ.
Rouvier's successor. Gossip at a late
hour fixed on NJ. Poincare as one of
he most likely to succeed him, with
NJ. Millerand as minister of the interior
and VI. Bourgeois as minister of for
eign affairs.
The fall of the Rouvier government.
which has held Office for only a little
more than a year. was Immediately due
o the killing of a butcher on Tuesday
when the authorities were seeking to
axe an inventory of the church prop
.rty at Boeschope in the department
Ou Nord.
Attacked for Brutality.
The clericals in the chamber of de
,uties attacked the ministry for bru-
ality. while the socialists attacked it
or its weakness. 1t was not until the
lose of the debate that the socialists
called that the ministry was in dan
,er. Even NJ Ribot, who led the at
ack, favored the application of the
aw which led to the tragedy at Boe-
chope, although he denounced the
manner of its application.
Various speakers severely criticized
he governments course. asserting
hat it threatened to precipitate a reli-
,ious warfare. Premier Rouyier re
ponded:
1.-The government has the duty to ap-
'ly the law. 1t will apply it without
but also with the prudence,
act, and wisdom consistent with pub
ic tranquility. l ask the adoption of
esolution approving these declara-
ions of the government.
The resolution was thereupon put to
ote and defeated by a vote of 234
D 267.