New-York tribune., 1912-01-10
Foreign Minister, Asked to Con-
firm Premier'S Word of Honor,
Refuses and Resigns.
HIS CONSCIENCE FORBADE
M. Caillaux's Statement Denying
any Secret Morocco Negotia.
tions Challenged by Old
Parliamentarian.

manner this evening the resignation OF
the French Foreign Minister, Justin de
Selves. This threatens to be followed
by a general Parliamentary investiga-
tlon, as we'll as by further ministerial
changes.
Charges that financiers Of France and
Germany We're permitted to carry on
secret negotiations relative to the Congo
and Morocco caused the rupture. Pre-
mier Caillaux at a meeting of the Senate
Committee gave his word of honor that
there had been no such negotiations, but
the Foreign Minister declines to back
the Premier and refused to make a
statement, either pro or con.
The present crisis has been brewing
ever since the treaty was signed, and is
due to repeated allegations that Jules
Cambon, the French Ambassador In
Berlin, did not have a free hand in the
negotiations with Germany, and that
other negotiations, Of which the Foreign
Office and the ambassador were ignorant,
were being secretly conducted between
the two countries concerning railroad
concessions in the Congo, Kamerun and
Morocco.
How the Storm Broke.
The storm broke at the meeting OF the
Senate Committee, with ex-Premer
Clemenceau holding a great advantage.
Premier Caillaux denied that there had
ever been semi official pourparlers be
fore the interview at Kissingen. He had'
he said. repudiated a contract for rail-
road concessions alleged to have been
made between a Frenchman named
Fondere and Or. Semler, member OF
the Reichstag.
The Premier narrated the negotiations
relative TO. the proposed railroads In
Morocco. and affirmed he was happy to
give his word of honor that there had
been no negotiations except those OF
which the Foreign Office and NJ. Cam6on
were fully cognizant.
NJ. Clemenceau arose and looked fixed
ly at the Foreign Minister. "Will you
confirm the statement Of the PREMIER
he asked
NJ. de Selves at first refused to an
swer. but pressed by Senator Bourgeois
chairman Of the committee. finally said:
II cannot answer the question. am
tied between a double duty: to stick to
the truth and tell all. and not TO hurt
the interests Of the country by deserting
the Cabinet"
These words created a sensation. and
the committee adjourned In great con-
fusion. Afterward a second scene was
enacted in the anteroon/to which Pre-
rnier Caillaux. NJ. de Selves and EXPIRE
mier Clemenceau withdrew. NJ. Clem-
enceau, according to friends OF NJ. de
Selves. reproached Premier Caillaux In
violent terms for fostering secret negou-
ations. Of which NJ. Clemenceau said ne
had been for long time Informed. The
Foreign Minister, for his part, frankly
told the Premier that he could no longer
sit beside him in the Cabinet, and there
fore resigned.
De Selves Makes Statement.
NJ de Selves sent his letter Of resigna-
tion TO President Fallieres. In 1t he
pointed out that he no longer wished to
shoulder the responsibility OF the For
eign portfolio with a split in the Cabinet.
He also issued a statement, In which he
said he was confident he had served his
country well-a task often not easy. Tor
in the last six months he had faced
enormous difficulties. He added that he
could not publicly protest against the
statement OF Premier Caillaux. ON the
other hand, his conscience forbade him
to confirm It.
The Premier likewise issued a state
ment, in which he insisted he had toId
the whole truth. He had always re-
fused, he said, TO listen TO people who
approached him relative to the negotia-
tions. saying that Ambassador Cambon
alone had the right to speak for France.
The other Cabinet ministers met to-
night to discuss the situation. 1t was
believed that Jean Cruppi, Minister OF
Justice, would follow NJ. de Selves into
retirement, but the meeting ended with
out further designations.
The replies Of Premier Caillaux to In
ouiries after the Cabinet meeting lead
20 the belief that no further resigna-
tions are imminent. The Premier said
he had no intention Of carrying the in
cident further.
M. Delcasse said: II shall remain
Minister of Marine az long as the Cham
Der wishes"
Nevertheless it is believed that the
life Of the ministry hangs on the find
ing Of a successor TO NJ. de Selves, and
there is little doubt that NJ. Delcasse,
who made his reputation as brilliant
Foreign Minister, will be appointed.
the Premier and NJ. Messimy, Minister
of War, called on NJ. Delcasse late to-
night.
Justin G. dc Selves was appointed For
eign Minister on June 26, 1911, by Premier
caillaux when the latter was summoned by
President Fallieres to form Cabinet to
succeed the Monis Ministry. For fifteen
wears previously NJ. de Selves had been
Prefect Of the Department of the Seine.
II was NJ de Selves who conducted the
Franch negotiations with Germany regard
ing the Moroccan question. which resulted
In the signing on November 8 last Of the
Franco-G German agreement Frances right
70 establish a protectorate in Morocco was
recognized by Germany in that treaty on
condition that France agreed to guarantee
.conornic equality and commercial liberty
"a all nations In that country. A strip OF
,err,tory in the French Congo was ceded
N Germany, while Germany ceded to
France some territory on the frontier OF
ra,oiand and Dahomey The French
C,hs rober of Deputies ratified the agreement
80 Yoecernber- 20 by 500 votes 10 &C.
oeMocRAT SUCCEEDS MADISON.