New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-09
THE FRENCH CRISIS.

The resignation of the French Cabinet though
sudden, was not surprising and, indeed not alto
gether unexpected There were two reasons for
IT, either of which alone might have been suf-
icient The more obvious one was dissatisfac-
ton with the governments application of the
Church separation law. The Clericals were of
course strongly opposed to both the law and the
method in which it was applied. Some Repub-
licans who cordially approved the principle OF
the law were shocked at the spectacle of broken
church doors and windows. and also broken
heads. both clerical and lay, and believed the
administration to have been lacking in tact and
discretion. Also there were Radicals and Social
lists who thought the government, instead of be
ing TOO severe. had been too lenient with the
churches. So there was an incongruOus combina-
tiOn--of Clericals who would elevate the Church
above the State, and of Socialists who would
decree the abolition not only of the Church, but
of God Himself-against the government. The
other and less obvious, but perhaps not less
potent reason that a general election was
approaching. and many Deputies especially those
OF the Radical and Socialist persuasion, pre-
ferred TO have il conducted under some other
governmental direction than that of NJ Rouvier
and his colleagues.
The first thought concerning the effect of the
crisis naturally relates to Algecras. Matters at
that conference have been in delicate state and
il might have taken little to turn the scale. But
the latest dispatches strongly indicate that this
change of Ministry has not weakened the French
position or affected the pacific temper OF Germany.
| There is not the slightest reason 10 think that
dsapproyal of the French governments Moroc-
can other foreign policy expressed in the
adverse vote in the Chamber On the contrary,
every recent indication has been that that policy
is cordially supported by an overwhelming ma
| jority. Moreover, N. ROuvier and his Cabinet
may continue to hold office for several days yet.
before their successors can be selected and or
ganized, or for long enough period to press
| their policy TO success at AlgeciraS. and there
can be little doubt that the Ministry will
! continue the same policy, toward Morocco and
toward Germany as well as toward the Roman
Catholic Church-and, perhaps most important
of all. toward Great Britain.
| The much more important consideration as
IL seems to us. is the possible effect of Wednes-
days vote upon party alignments and upon min
isterial stability. Seven years ago the lamented
ldeck-Rousseau formed reasonably stable
ministerial majority in the Chamber, and put an
end TO the demoralizng old system Of changing
cabinets every few weeks or months. He gave
France for the irst time in the history of the
Third Republic a stable Ministry. His success
scr, DIR. Combes continued that wise and benef-
icent policy, and ii was hoped that NJ. ROuvier
would be able TO do the same. From that point
of view it is ominous TO see the Cabinet over
thrown by a schism in the coalition which has
{ hitherto 50 steadfastly supported the govern
ment We shall earnestly hope that the break
in party lines will prove to be temporary ana
That under soiue new head the government ui,,-
: jossx VII BE- restored and maintained Moth