Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-21
FRENCH CABINET
RESIGNS; FORCED
BY CLEMENCEAU
PREMIER INDISCREETLY At
TACKS DELCASSE
TAUNTs FORMER MINISTER OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Brings Up AIaeclras Case, When Gov.
eminent Was Assured of Majority
on Naval Question, and Drives
Exponents Away
(Ry Associated Press1

PARIS, July 2O.-The Clemenceau
cabinet fell suddenly tonight under the
most dramatic circumstances at the
conclusion Of a violent debate over the
naval scandals.
M. Delcasse, chairman of the inves-
tigating committee, led the attack on
the naval administration, especially
during the incumbency Of M. Pelletan
: and M. Thomson former ministers OF
marine.
M. Picard, who succeeded M. Thorn
son, had promised in the name OF the
government to complete a series of re-
forms, when an incident occurred
which changed a majority into mi
nority.
Premier Clemenceau, who always has
been an adversary of M Delcasse,
smartng under the criticisms and
doubtless overconhdent of a majority,
taunted the former minister of foreign
affairs, who was thrown overheard by
the Rouvler ministry at the dictation
of Germany during the crisis of 1905,
with having led France to humiliation
at Algeciras.
The specter of that chapter of
Frances foreign history in which Del
casse was sacrificed was fatal error.
Instantly there was an uproar of dis
sent from both sides of the chamber.
Filings Back the Taunt
Delcasse flung back the taunt In
Clemenceau's face with bitter words,
declaring France had gone to Algecira5
in the interest of peace.
The premier seemed for the first
time in his parliamentary career to
lose his head.
Finally, NJ. Delcasse, as he was eX-
planning the situation of 1905, drew
himself up proudly and, turning to
Clemenceau, he said:
You were president of the naval in
vestigating commission of 1905 Your
unsparing attacks on every govern
ment during twenty-five years seemed
sufficient guarantee that you would
find the root of the evil. What were
the results, | ask?'
NJ Clemenceau, now evidently in a
rage, tried to parry the thrust by re-
turning to the charge.
"Your policy as foreign minister"
he shouted, led us to the greatest
humiliation France has experienced in
twenty years"
Another storm of hostile cries arose,
several deputies crying, 1T is an out
rage to say that"
But the premier tried to assume his
old cynical air. oh no. no false in
dignation, L pray you he cried. You
brought us to the verge of war with
out military protection.
france 7umilateo
"The whole world knew that the
ministers of war and navy. when the
question was put to them, replied that
France was not ready. 1 have not hu-
inflated France; Delcasse has done
that"
The chamber was in an uproar when
the premier took his seat.
Amid the widest excitement the vote
was taken, and when Ii was announced
Iaa AgFaf hnA 41V,
TO 176, Clemenceau stalked out OF the
chamber, followed by the other min
listers, in token that he intended to re-
sign.
Nj. Clemenceau went Immediately to
the Elysee palace and told the story
to President Fallieres who seemed
stupefed at the incident, but accepted
the designations.
Paris tonight is astonished that an
old parliamentary warhorse like Glenn
enceau should have committed political
suicide by his awkwardness In recalling
the Algeciras specter when the govern
ment was assured a majority on the
naval question.
The premier's action drove about fifty
members of the Republican bloc" into
q combination, unhorsing tine man
whose ministry had been the longest in
the history Of the third nepublic, and
who for three years had absolute mas
terry in France.
More than sixty members of the ma
jority, enough to haye saved the day,
were absent when the vote was taken.
The fall of the cabinet was so unex-
pected that the political world is com
pletely at sea as to who will be Glenn
enceau's successor.
The name of Leon Bourgeois, former
premier and former minister of foreign
affairs, is most frequently mentioned,
but his health and age are against him.
M. Rrieand minister Of justice, and
M. Delcasse are also mentioned.
The Socialists are overjoyed at Glenn
enceaus downfall. NJ. Joures the So
cialist leader in the chamber, said:
with Clemenceau disappears the
most dangerous man in the republic"