The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-12
The New French Ministry.

Fortunately for France the Ministerial
crisis which TOOK Ilace on March 7 will
not darken the prospect of an agree
ment in the Morocco Conference. 1t
ia settled that in the Cabinet formed
by NJ. SARRIEN the post of Minister OF
Foreign Affairs will be occupied by
M. Leon BOURGEOIS, who may be trusted
to deviate in no particular from the
policy so wisely framed and successfully
pursued by NJ, RoUvIER.
The composition of the new Cabinet
shows that the Premier, keenly alive to
the causes of NJ. RoUvIER'S defeat and
to the exigencies Of the political situa-
tion-the election of a new Chamber is
to take place in April-has undertaken
to conciliate and consolidate all the Sec
tons of the so-called bloc, or coalition
of Radicals and Socialists, which has
dominated the French Parliament for
the last eight years. 1t is significant
that his choice of colleagues has been
made at the suggestion, or with he APP
proval, of Senator CLEMENCEAU, who,
although ostensibly ruined by implica-
ton in the Panama scandal, has silently
regained his influence and for some
time has been regarded as the Warwick,
or President maker, of France, the real
power behind the throne. 1t has even
been reported that he may accept the
offer Of a portfolio, but it seems more
probable that he will remain in nominal
retirement until, completely rehabilitated,
he comes forward as Prime Minister.
M. LEON BOURGEOIS, who was Premier
in 1895, and by his sturdy advocacy Of
an income tax caused a deadlock be-
tween the Chamber of Deputies and the
Senate, is thoroughly satisfactory to
those extreme Radicals and Socialists
whose revolt caused the downfall of
nj. RoUvIER, and he is, at the same
time, acceptable4 to those more circum-
spect Radical groups which recognized
the danger of %upholding NJ. DELCAssE
in the ~truculent attitude which the latter
assumed towards Germany. He is quail
fed by experience, foresight and tenn
per to avert a rupture Of the present
friendly relations between the Paris and
Berlin Governments, while at the same
time savoiding any humiliating sacrifice
Of his country's interests or dignity.
M. PoINCARE, who is to take the Min
istry of Finance, or of War, or OF Justice,
possesses in q remarkable degree the
confidence Of the Republican majority
and would undoubtedly have been called
upon to form a Cabinet had NJ. SARRIEN
proved unable to do so. The Premier
himself would have preferred the post
of Minister of Justice, for which he is
particularly fitted; but, with a general
election close at hand, he recognized
the imperative necessity Of assuming
personal control of the vast and COM
plicated machinery of the Ministry OF
the Interior. NJ, THOMSON and NJ.
RuAU, who we're respectively Minister
of Marine ana Minister of Agriculture
in the Rouvier Cabinet, are to retain
those offices. The Socialists are pro-
pitiated by the assignment of the Minis
try of Public instruction to one of their
number, NJ. ARIsTIDE BRAND, who was
chairman Of the committee which re-
ported the law for the separation of
Church and State. He a be relied
Apon 10 carry OUT WIN Iisoi ohO seaIu'e
Ghieh forbids the members of religious
orders TO exercise educational functions
The inclusion Of a Socialist in the Cabi-
net indicates that no substantial change
In the method Of enforcing the Separa-
ton law need be looked for.
In O word, the composition Of the
6arrien Ministry bears witness to an
eafhest attempt, aided, II not directed. by
Senator oLBasBsACRAU, to reoonsolidate
and reinvigorate the "bloo.' The aim
I was to bring about vigorous cooperation
. OF all its constituent groups in the cleo: