The sun., 1912-08-05
ClemcnCcau's New Battle.

After less than half Il year Of power
the Poincare Ministry, called into eX-
istence at tho time Of the Moroccan
crisis, and in its membership one of the
most distinguished Governments France
has known in recent years. must now
fight for its life. No less dangerous an
antagonist than NJ. GEORGES CLEMEN-
CEAu. the famous wrecker of ministries,
who sent the Caillaux Government into
exile only few months ago, has de-
clared war upon it, and associated with
him is NJ. COMBEs. who as Prime Min
lister carried tho legislation against the
Roman Catholic Church in France.
The occasion of this contest is the
championship by Nj. PoINCARE of the
project Of proportional representation.
upon tho success of which he has staked
the fortunes of his Ministry. Briefly
the project Contcmplates two sweep
ing changes in the electoral system of
, France. To-day members of the Cham
ber OF Deputies are elected. like Repre-
sentativcs in this country from single
districts by majority vote. The Poincari
plan which has passed the Chamber Of
Deputies by decisive majority and is
now in the Senate. substitutes for the sin
! gle district the department, resembling
our State. in which several members are
to be elected at large, and provides a
complicated system of apportionment
based upon party vote. which would
give the minority representation.
The purpose of this change is twofold.
| Under the single district or arrondisse-
ment system. the Deputy has become
almost an immovablc fixture BY the
manipulation of patronage, the Use of
his influence in the placing of Garrisons.
by his success in obtaining special legis-
lation and controlling all the Govern
ment employees he has been able to
transform his distric; into "A pocket
, borough. A. result not only have the
clever politicians obtained almost a
monopoly upon seats in the Chamber,
but corruption and manipulation of
patronage have become a scandal
NJ. BRAND, a former Premier and a
member of the present Ministry, once
referred to the present districts as
-stagnant pools and his championship
of "A similar reform projec; brought the
fall of his Ministry. All over France
thore has been a growing feeling that
the result Of the existing system was Ia
keep small men in Office and subordi-
! nate the national and even intcrna-
tional interests OF France TO the aucs-
! ton of patronage and petty personal
/ politics Of tho Deputies themselves.
On the other hand NJ. CLEMENcEAu
and NJ. CoMBEs both proclaim that the
portion of the new measure which he.
opens the way alike to the election OF
royalists and imperiaists and Cathoi,
reactionarics, who will combine To over
throw the republic and to restore ia
the Church the position the Combistes
deprived it of 10y the disestablishmen,
laws. 1t is by these issues that tn,
Radical Socialist bloc" have hitherto
ruled France, and 80 bitter has been tn,
feeling that campaigns waGed upor
these issues have hitherto ended i,
victories for them.
The battle is now transferred 70 tn,
Senate. in which CLEMENCEAU ant
COMBEs both sit. The unexpected anS
characteristic fashion in which NJ
CLEMENCEAU has declared war by writ
ing n letter to VI. PoINCAIRE himself il
a first indication of tho determination
in which this experienced and abl
parliamentary fighter has entered tn
struggle. and SO long as he remains il
it the issue may be fairly regarded as
in doubt.
Yet, as recent dispatches to America
newspapers indicate, there are signs o
a growing unrest among the French peo
pie ethemselves al this endless iteration o
issues that havc become stale, and dis
satisfaction and disgust for the mannu
vres OF politicians, whose scheming, bar
gaining and manipulation have availet
to keep them in Office but have been fata
, To all continuity Of foreign policy, hav,
suoordinatd national to local interests
and last summer overthrow a NIinstr,
+ and left Franc" without Government a
' the vcry moment when Germany son
a her warship 10 Morocco.
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The Hard Fate Of an Old Friend.