Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05

known as the long ministry becausei Il
had remained in power since
Ministerial August, 1893, resigned on the
ch.ne> 18th ultimo and was sue
ceeded May by the ministry
formed by NJ. De Troos, former minister Of
the interior. The constitution OF the De
Troos cabinet Is as follows: Premier and
minister of the interior. N. De Troos: min
lister Of finance, M. Liebaert; minister Of
justice. NJ. Renkin; minister Of railways.
NJ. Heileputte; minister Of labor, NJ. Hubert;
minister OF science. NJ Deschamps; minister
OF war, Gen. Hellebaut: minister of foreign
affairs M D'Avignon: minister of public
works. M. Delbeke.
The immediate reason of the fall Of the
Smet cabinet was the proposed law in
which the work day in the mines
was to be limited to- eight hours. The
indirect but real reason-the profound and
permanent reason-may be discovered in
the break In the ranks OF the party OF the
right. scission which began in 1894. The
dislocation has been accomplished by the
'young right" which has declared its indie
pendence and now opposes the government
on the Congo policy, the fertilization Of
Antwerp, the mines and other questions.
The situation of the right heretofore
solid Catholic party upon whose majority
the government counted, may now be COM
pared to the recent action Of the center
Catholic party in the German reichstag.
The situation was the more complex be-
cause the young right" which provoked the
crisis comprises but twenty members, a
number quite insufficient to govern. 1t be-
ing understood that the left party with
which 1t would act. is divided into fac
lions. and therefore without unity. The
government had thus no other recourse but
to form concentration Catholic cabinet.
The faN of the Smet de Mayer cabinet
marks an epoch in the history OF Belgium.
LIE Temps, discussing the
Msrhe an question. says: ut is the
first time since 1884 that the
liberals, excluded from pow
err, may take confidence and perhaps regain
power"
The socialists and radicals charge that
the project Of the law fixing the maximum
hours of labor in the mines at eight hours
was discussed and voted on the l2th ultimo,
and that the proposition was subsequently
Withdrawn by royal decree, although pear
ing date OF the 11th.
The government explains that the action
taken was absolutely correct and legal;
when passed upon by both chamber and
senate but that such action had not been
consummated, and that. for fact, 1t mao
not been submitted to the senate: that the
decree was dated the 18th was due to the
absence Of the king in italy. etc. Further
more, 1t was held that the Catholic major
ity was divided on the question OF the imi-
tation of working hours In the mines, ana
the project was withdrawn to permit the
majority to re-establish itself under the
direction Of ministry Of Catholic concen-
tration.
These explanations were not accepted
by the left, as will be seen by an interview
Of the correspondent Of LIE Temps at Brus-
sells with M. Paul Janson, the leader OF the
radical left party. which IL reproduced TO
show the temper of that party. which at
fects to treat the matter as an Insult to
the chamber II not a veritabfe coup detat
~
1.-THE royal Decree" declared M. Janson'
was dated April II. The government.
therefore, knew Of this when
naaA Ts.u. it participated in the seance
of the 18th. when the project
was voted. During two days
it permitted the chamber to discuss a
project which had already been Withdrawn.
It Is an foffense to parliament and to the
nation. The monarch has the right to, re-
spect, but parliament has also that right.
a ridiculous role; 1t is intolerable gov
eminent that retains the power may retain
the right to withdraw project, but IN
this case the government voluntarily with
drew. It did not inform the chamber OF
it's action, but requested 1t to adjourn. an
nouncing its withdrawal In the Moniteur.
In no country that respects parliamentary
traditions have such things been enacted.
An appeal to the country is the only pos
sible remedy. But before dissolution the
chamber should take up the attack upon
its dignity. This is neither a question Of
liberal nor socialist, nor clerical but ques-
ton Of superior interest. In which party
spirit has no place. If attack upon our
dignity may be made, we may find our
selves ready to submit to anything"
NJ. Janson. the candid reader Will re-
mark, carefully avoids reference to the
statement that King Leopold was absent In
the south Of France or in Italy, and this
fact, as claimed by government. suhcientiy
explains the question OF GATE ana "a. MAKES oes
plain that no offense or indignity was con-
templated or committed.
Ak
The selection of Baron Deschamps as
minister of sciences in the new ministry
merits special mention.
Distinguished Baron Deschamps Is one OF
.r... the most distinguished men
of the right. He is a recog-
nized authority on international law, pro-
lessor Of International law at the Lou
vain University and member of the per-
manent court of arbitration at The Hague.
Baron Deschamps, besides. Is the author
of a recent volume entitled New. Africa;
an Essay on Government, Civilization In
New Countries and on the Foundation. Or
ganization and Administration OF the Congo
Free State"
Some idea of the temper and conciliatory
character of the jurist statesman and
author may be formed by quoting from the
introduction of his volume. New Africa,
a subject which, the reader will bear In
mind. enters into the attributes OF the new
ministry which win be called upon to solve
the MANY questions which contributed to
the recent crisis in Belgium. The question
Of the Congo is not the least OF the prob
lens to be solved, and Baron Deschamps on
this subject Is past master, and vaiu-
able councillor. The author says IN MS
Introductory: ,-
"When the dust Of time shall have fallen
over the present conflicts and when impair
tial Justice shall have determined the real
greatness of men and events few incidents
viii stand out so conspicuously during the
last Quarter of the nineteenth century as
the opening of central Africa to civilization.
Without anticipating the Judgment OF fu-
ture generations, we simply submit docu-
ments and testimony in proof OF the above
statement.
att has been said that contemporary his
tory is the least known Perhaps 1t Is also
te<1rnv H0t pNn