Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-10
FRENCH CABINET
!. FACING A CRISIS
ts,tt ..,.....
RETIREMENT oF M,NlsrER or
FoagioN AFFAIRS FoLlows :
DRAMATIC SCENE.
FORCED IN uhGhvIAsLE
\ PoslTioN 5By CLEMs Az
Minister compsIlsd to Tell : lth Or
sstray country's Secrets Aorieus
"cabinst Breaker" Again on the Job
-othsr Changes May oeeur-osn.
srai Nsws.

Paris. Jan. 10.-Theophile Delcasse.
until now minister OF marine in the
French cabinet. has been offered and
accepted the portfolio Of minister Of
foreign affairs in succession to Justin
de Selves, who yesterday resigned af-
ter dramatic scene during the meet
Ing of the senate committee on foreign
affairs.
1t, ie rumored today that other
changes may occur In the ministry and
speculation IL rife as to who will Join
the cabinet.
1t was the cabinet breaker" Eugene
Clemenceau. who brought about the
crisis. as he has done on
many previous occasions. He had
been thorn in the side OF Premier
Caillaux for some time and was aware
that there was some dissension be-
tween the foreign minister and the
premier. When. during the meeting OF
the senate committee, NJ. Calliaus de-
MED there had been secret nesotia-
tions between Germany and France NJ.
Clemenceau sprang to his feet and
shouted to De Selves, "Will you con-
firm the premier's statement"
After some hesitation the foreign
minister replied that he could not an
iswer the question because he was be-
tween a double duty--the telling OF the
truth and the duty to his country.
Later De Selves informed the pre-
mier that he could not remain In the
cabinet. and handed him his resigna
ton.
Secret Dealings Charged.
Charges that financiers OF France
and Germany were permitted to carry
on secret negotiations relative to tht
Congo and Morocco caused the rup'
turc. premiers4 Caillaux before thu
state committ4e gave his word o
honor that there had been no such ne
gotiations. but the foreign minister
declined to back the premier. and re-
fused to mako a statement on tn
matter.
The crisis has been brewing evel
since the treaty was signed. due to re-
peated allegations that the French am
bassador, Jules Cambon. did not have
free hand In the negotiations witt
Germany. IT was charged that othe'
negotiations. OF which the foreign OF
fice and ambassador were Ignorant
were being secretly conducted be
tween the two countries. concerninl
railroad concessions In the Congo
Kameron and Morocco.
The Storm Breaks.
The storm broke at the meeting o
the senate committee with ex-Premie
Clemenceau holding great advan
tage Premier Cailleaux denied ther
had ever been semi official pourparler
before the interview at Kissingen.
He had, he said. repudiated con
tract for railroad concessions allege
to have been made between a Frenoh
man named Fondere and DR.. Semier.
member of the reichstag.
He narrated the negotiations relativ
to proposed railroads in Morocco. an
said that he was happy to give hi
word Of honor that there had been n
! negotiations except those OF which tn
| foreign office and NJ. Camben wer
fully cognizant.
NJ Clemenceau arose and locke
fxedly at the foreign minister. WI
YOU confirm the statement Of the pre-
mier?" he asked.
NJ. de Selves at first refused I
answer. but pressed by Senate
Bourgeois. chairman OF the committed
finally said:
| II can not answer the question.
amts tied between double duty-t
stick to the truth and tell all. and nc
to hurt the interests OF the countr
by deserving the cabinet"
ssnsation Follows.
These words caused a sensation an
| the committee adjourned In great cor
fusion. Later a second scene wa
enacted in the ante-room to whic
Premier CAillaux. Foreign Minister d
Selves and .ex-Premier Clemencea
withdrew. NJ. Ciemenceau. accordin
to. friends Of NJ de Selves. reproache
Premier Caillaux in violent terms IL
fostering secret negotiations Of whic
NJ. Clemenceau said he had been for
long time informed. The foreign mir
lister for his part frankly told II
premier that ne could no longer sit bt
side him In the cabinet, and therefor
resigned.
i