The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-20
Pushing Himself Into Linelight
D espite Unsavory Circum-
stances of His Retirement.
ny la IARQUIsE DE royTuNo,

ny LA MARQUISE DE FONTENoi.
That Joseph Caillaux should be
once more pushing himself for
ward into the political limelight,
with the avowed purpose OF over
throwing the existing administration
IN. france, and of recovering the pre-
miershp. which he held until a little
over year ago, seems well-nigh in
credible to those who recall the cir
cumst-..ces under which he was driven
out OF Office. They were circumstances
that excited almost universal disgust
and Indignation among his own coun-
tty1ren, and amazemcnt abroad For
II was SHOWN ny senatorial commits
sion of inquiry that he had used his
position as Premier to carry on secret
negotiations OF his own with both
spain and Germany. without the know
ledge OF the Minister OF Foreign AZ
fairs or the remainder of the French
Cabinet. and behind the backs of
Frances am bassadors abroad. with sell
fish and private financial interest in
view.
Wien the offers which he made to
German statesmen, without the cogni-
lance of his ministerial colleagues or
OF the President OF the republic were
made known by the commission. Of
fers affecting the honor and dignity
OF France. but which were not accept
ed because IL was felt in Germany
that he would not have tho power to
carry them through. a demand was
made in the national legislature at
Paris for his impeachment
II the project was abandoned, it was
because q plea was put forward to
the effect that he had been more or
less mentally unbalanced at the time.
1t was argued that no man in his
senses could have acted as he had
done with regard to Germany and
Spain. and all sorts of incidents were
related In the Hobbies OF the Senate, at
the Luxembourg Palace. and OF the
Chamber Of Deputies at the Palais
Bourbon, in order to show that he was
suffering from a nervous ailment
Some of the stories told Indicated
that there had been moments when
he had no more control over himself
than the most complete imbecile UNI
der restraint In an asylum. absolutely
oblivious OF all his surroundings and
OF the ordinary p:oprieties OF life.
Among those which bear repetition
was his extraordinary conduct on one
memorable occasion, when receiving
at the Department OF the Interior. at
the Place Beauveau. some of the prin
cipal officials OF ths Ministry of For
eign Anuirs, he suddenly arose from
his writing table. and ieapng on to
q sofa near him. commenced jumping
from one 10 another of the velvet
chairs which were ranged along the
walls OF the very large room consti-
tuting his office. While going through
this extraordinary gymnastic exercise.
he barked and whincd like small
dog at play his visitors regarding him
open mouthed. rightly convinced that
for tho moment he was entirely berert
of his reason.
Curiously enough, there is prece
dent for behavior of this kind on the
part of CaillauX. Thus, the published
correspondence" of that Duchess OF
Orleans who was the contemporary OF
Cardinal Richelieu relates that this
ali powerful statesman, while at the
head of the French government. had
occasional fits OF Insanity, and de-
scribes how, one particular occa-
sion. he suddenly. in the midst OF r. dis
cussion with some great dignitaries,
left them standing and began canter-
ing around the room. neishing and
whinnying like horse and kicking
out his heels equine fashion at any
one who got in his way or came near
him. This lasted for half an hour, un-
til he sank on To the floor utterly e&-
hausted, whereupon his attendants.
who seemed to know what TO do un-
der the circumstances. carried him off
10 bed. where he slept soundly until
the following day. having no remem-
brance whatsoever, on awakening OF
his fantastic conduct on the previous
afternoon.
But then Jseph CaillauX is not Card
inal Riclelicu and things that might
be tolerated on the part OF the great
est statesman of his age bear quite
another aspect when perpetrated by
a twentieth century politician OF the
calibre of Joseph Caillaux.
On another occasion, tho latter
walked into the Office OF NJ. do Selves,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the
Quai d'Orsay, and seating himself OPP
posite to him at the desk coolly put
his feet upon that article OF furni-
turc under the nose of the astonished
Foreign Minister. Such free and easy
ways as these are not tolerated in
France, or anyw where else In Europe in
official and political life, and only
those who know how extremely cour-
teous. dignified and correct is old 81.
dc elves will be able to appreciate
his feelings.
Since the fall of his administration,
Caillaux has been devoting himself to
finance. with profit to himself, though
not to his associates For at the re-
cent general meeting OF the Credit
F'oncier of Argentina. in Paris, there
was such indigna ton among the
shareholders over the amount OF the
profits which he had appropriated to
himself as president of the concern
that they wound up by mobbing him.
and II was necessary for him to oall
for the assistance of the police in or
der to rescue him from personal in
jury.
The wholly unworthy trick by means
OF which Calliaux obtained the pre-
miership from Monis In whose Cabi-
net he held the portfolio OF Minister
of Finance. taking advantage of tho
fact that his chief was confined to
his bed for two or three weeks by
the injuries which he had received in
the flying machine accident which
caused the death Of the Minister or
War is too we'll known TO need re-
petition. but plainly shows that he Is
incapable OF appreciating the meaning
of loyalty to ministerial colleagues.
His matrimonial experiences have