New-York tribune., 1909-07-21
FRENCH CABINET OUT
DELC4SSE DEFEATS HIS
ENEMY IN CHAMBER.
u. CIemencedu RaShly Raises 1lge-
ciras Question and Leares Office
-VOte, 213 to 1T6.

OIIJ IL ~ L y.
Paris. July 20-The Clemenceau Cabinet fell
suddenly o-night by a vote of 212 to 176 under
dramatic circumstances at the conclusion OF a
violent debate over the naval scandals, extend
ing over several days. NJ Delcasse chairman
Of the Investigating committee. led the attack
upon the naval administration. especially during
the incumbency of NJ. Pelletan and NJ. Thomson.
former ministers OF Marine VI. Picard. who
succeeded NJ Thomson. had promised in the
name of the government to complete a series
Of reforms. both in the administration Of the
department and the methods of construction,
end the Chamber was ready to vote confidence
in the government. when an incident occurred
which changed a majority into minority. /
Premier Clemenceau. who always has been
an adversary OF NJ. Delcssse. smartiuE under
the criticisms. and doubtless overconfdent in
the ma jority. which on July Is. the general
policies OF the government was 1s2. tauntsd
the ex-Minster Of Foreign Affairs. who was
thrown overheard by the Rouvier ministry at the
dictation Of Germany during the crisis Of taa5.
With having led France to humiliation at Alge-
ciras
The raising Of the spectre Of that chapter Of
Frances foreign history. in which NJ DelcassA
was sacrificed. was fatal error Instantly there
vas an uproar Of dissent from both sides Of the
Chamber. VI. Delcass6 dung hack the taunt in
CIeraenceaus face with bitter words. saving.
amid cheers. that France had gone 20 Algeciras
in the interest Of peace.
LEADERS IN WAR OF WORDS.
Hot words were banded back and forth II
vas veritabIe duel between two enemies NJ
Delcasse intimated that NJ. CIemenceau had in
spred articles in the foreign press during the
crisis and the Premier emphaticaly denied this
inputation. The Premier seemed for the first
time in his parliamentary career to lose his head
Finally NJ. Decasse as he was entering upon an
explanation Of the situation Of 1905, drew him
self up proudly and said;
I shall say nothing further on that subject:
have nothing TO fear Nothing in the past. moth |
ing in our common memories of twenty-five |
wears ernbarrasses me- If 1 look back Sc |
have left something besides ruins"
Then turning directly TO VI. CIemenceau. he |
said. You we're president of the naval in |
yestigating committee of 1904 Your unsparinS |
attacks on every government during twenty-five |
wears seemed sufficient guarantee that you |
yyould find the root of the evil What were the |
results. I ask?'
NJ CIemenceau now evidently in a rage. tried
70 parrv the thrust by returning to the charge |
Your policy as Foreign Minister, he shouted. |
lied us to the greatest humiliation France has |
experienced in twenty years"
Another storm Of hostile cries arose. several |
Deputies ing: 1t is outrage to say that" |
The Premier tried TO assume his old cynical air. |
"Oh. no false indignation. I pray you." he ex-
claimed You brought us to the verge OF a war
without military preparation"
PREMIER BEATEN ON CHARGES
The tumult was redoubed. Yes he shouted 1
above the roar "the whole world knew that the |
Ministers OF War and the Navy. when the ques- |
tIon was put TO them. replied that France was |
not ready. I have not Inundated France; Del |
casse has done that"
The scene when the Premier took his seat was |
indescribable. Amid the widest excitement the |
vote was taken. and when it WAS announced |
that the government had been beaten IL 10 |
176 M. Clemenceau clapped his hat on his
head. pulling It far down over his eyes, ana |
stalked out of the Chamber. followed by the |
other ministers, in token that he intended to |
resign.
NJ c1emenceau went Immediately 10 the |
EIvsAe Palace and told the story to President /
Failures who seemed stupefed at the incident /
which caused the fall OF the Cabinet but he |
accented the resignation OF the Premier and his |
ministers
Tbere is only one view in Paris to-night-as- |
constituent that an old parliamentary warhorse
like M. Clemenceau should have committed po-
litical suicide by his awkwardness In recalling |
the AIgeciras spectre on the eve Of adjourn |
ment when the government was assured of a
majority on the naval question: Inc premier
action drove about fifty members of the Repub- |
Iican ''bloc" into a combination with the Right
and Extreme Left, ousting the man whose min |
istry has been the longest in the history Of the
Third Republic. who for three years has been
absolute master in France.
SIXTY GOVERNMENT MEMBERS ABSENT. /
More than sixty members of the majority
enough to have saved the day. were absent
visiting their parliamentary confreres Of Sweden,
when the vote taken.
Many times during his ministry, Nj. Clemen-
ceau anparentlv was on the eve of defeat. strong
combinations. especially by the enemies OF the
income tax, having been formed to accomplish
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