The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-21
French Ministry Is Forced to
Resign With Suddenness
That Is Astonishing
BRILLIANT OLD PREMIER
IS CAUGHT IN A TRAP
Chairman DeIcasse of the Naval In
vestgating Commission Led the
Attack and Brought on the
Downfall of Statesman.

Paris, July 20-The Clemenceau cabinet
fell suddenly tonight at the conclusion
of a violent debate over the naval scam
daIs extending over several days M.
Delcasse, chairman of the investigating
commission, led the attack on the naval
administration. especially during the in
cumbency of M. Pelletan and M. Thoms.
former minister of marine.
NJ. Picard, who succeeded Thoms, 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, and the
chamber was ready to vote on the conf
dence in the government, when an Incl
dent occurred which changed it immedi-
ately into minority.
M Clemenceau, who always has been
an adversary of NJ. Delcasse, smarting
under the criticisms, and doubtless over
confident of a majority which on July Is,
on the general policies of the government,
was 1S2 taunted the ex-minister of for
eign affairs, who was thrown overheard
by the Rouvier ministry at the dictation
OF Germany during the crisis of 1905, with
having led France to humiliation at AL
geciras.
The reminder of that chapter of
Frances history, when Delcasse was sac
rificed was a fatal error. Instantly there
was an uproar of dissent from both sides
of the chamber. Delcasse flung back the
taunt in Clemenceau's face with bitter
words. declaring amid cheers that France
1,o5 ~o1a ~ A1Oaciraa in tba inferoqf of
peace Hot words were banded back and
forth. 1t was a veritable duel between
two enemies.
M. Delcasse intimated that Cemenceau
had inspired articles in the foreign press
during the crisis, but the latter emphatic
ally denied this imputation.
Clemenceau Loses His Head.
The premier seems for the first time
In all his parliamentary career to have
lost his head. Delcasse, as he was enter
ing on an explanation Of the situation of
1905, drew himself up proudly and said:
II shall say nothing further on that sub
ject have nothing to fear. Nothing
past, nothing in our common memories of
% years embarrasses me. If look back
] see have left something besides ruins
Then turning directly to Clemenceau
he said.
you were president of the naval inves-
tigating commission of 1904. Your unspar-
ing attacks upon every government during
25 years seems sufficient guarantee that
you would find the root of evil. What
were the results, I ask?"
M. Clemenoeau, now evidently in rage,
tried to parry the thrust by returning to
the-charge.
your policy as foreign minister" he
shouted, led us to the greatest humilia-
Another storm of hostile cries arose,
several deputies crying
ut is an outrage to say that
But the premier tried to assume his old
cynical air.
"oh, no false Indignation, I pray you."
he exclaimed.
Tun1uIt RedoubIed.
you brought us to the verge of a war
without military preparation
Again the tumult was redoubled
''Yes," he shouted above the roar, "the
whole world knew that the ministers of
war and the navy when the question was
put to them replied that France was not
ready. I have not Inundated France,
Delcasse has done that"
The scene when the premier took his
seat was indescribabe. Amid the widest
excitement a vote was taken and when
1t was announced that the government
was beaten C1emenceau pulled his hat
over his eyes and stalked out of the
chamber.
Cemenceau went to the Elysee palace
and told the story to President Fallieres,
who seemed stupified at the result of the
vote which caused the fall of the min
istry. He accepted their designations.
There is but one opinion in Paris tonight
establishment that an old parliamentary
warhorse like Clemenceau should have
committed political suicide by his
awkwardness in recalling the Algeciras
spectre upon the eve of adjournment
when the government was assured of a
majority on the naval question. The
premier's action drove about so members
of the republican "bloc' into a combina-
tion with the right and extreme left, un-
horsing the man whose ministry had been
the longest in the history of the third re-
public and who for three years has been
absolute master In France. More than
60 members of the majority. enough to
have saved the day, were absent, visit
ing their parliamentary conferees Of
Sweden, when the vote was taken.
Often Victor.
Many times du>ing his ministry M.
Clemenceau apparently was on the eve
of defeat, as many strong combinations,
especially by the enemies of the income
tax, were formed to accomplish his down
fall and often there was much secret
opposition in the ranks of the majority.
But when the decisive moment came the
rebels never dared to brave Clemenceau's
whip.
The fall of the cabinet was so unexpect-
ed that the political world is completely
at sea as to wbo will be Clemenceau's
successor at the head of the governme>$
President Fallieres will consult with the
presidents of the chambers tomorrow In
accordance with the usual custom. The
name Of Leon Bourgeons, former premier
and former minister of foreign affairs, 10
most frequently mentioned, but his age
and health are against him. M. BRAND,
minister ef Justice; M. Poincare, former