The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-05
The Pictures and Bitter
Articles That so En-
ragged the Wife of
Frances Minister Of
Finance That She Shot
the Famous Editor of
lie Figaro

AZ NNe shotS which Madame Joseph Call
laux poured into the body OF Editor Gas
ton Calmette. have started :. disturbance
that may turn France upside down.
The situation in Paris appears to possess the
same elements that have produced six rovou
sione within one hundred and thirty years and
caused tho streets OF the volatile capital to
ewim with blood every time
CASTOR Calmette, the editor OF the Figaro,
began bitter campaign on behalf of the
tervatve classes OF France ..gainst the radical
socialist Minister of Finance Joseph Caillaux.
suddenly by an unexpected turn, what had
been an acrimonious political fight changed
into a WhlrIwind or the deepest human pas
e!ons
an examination Of the Figaro reveals some
shoot CASTOR ~almette. For over three
months, that is. since December II, when the
present French Government took office. the
Figaro has conducted an uninterrupted attack
on Minister CaillauX OF unparalleled bitterness.
The newspaper has accused him OF being
liar, a turncoa of aiding all kinds OF criminal
and corrupt financial schemes, and OF using his
official information for the benefit OF his stock
exchange friends.
The Figaro is the leading organ OF the
wealthy, conservative and fashionable classes
OF France
Joseph Caillaux was. until his resignation IN
consequence Of his wife's act, the most agrees
sve and capable member of the new cabinet
headed by NJ. CASTOR Doumergue. He was the
Lloyd-Gcorse OF France. The chief feature of
his political programme was an income tax
law, which bitterly resented by the con.
servativc classes OF France Hence the oppo
eiton of Figaro
For three months the Figaro published on an
average three articles a day against NJ. Gail
lauE, the principal one by the editor, CASTOR
Caimette, and the others by his ablest assist
ants This made about go articles in all. In
addition there appeared every other day n
lnercilesS cartoon against CaillauX. exposing
his corruption and dishonesty. These were
usually by Forain the Ceverest and most scath-
ing caricatuyist in France
The articles sought not only TO show that
CaillauN was thoroughly corrupt and dishones.
in all his political affairs. but that he VI.
terly insncere in his advocacy OF his pet
scheme. the income tax. The elimination OF
this line OF attack came with letter By NJ
CaiNauX which the newspaper published on
The letter was written from the Senate. The
name of the person TO whom 1t was addressed
IS not published, but the "tutoement',' the
thee and thou" style used in the letter shows
mat 1t WAS written TO very intimate friend.
1t reads:
although I wanted 70 do go very much. /.
vas impossible for mo TO write to you yester-
day. was compelled to attend two meetings
OF the Chamber-in the morning from 10 o'clock
20 noon and in the afternoon from 2 o'clock to
o'clock
"a was very tired. but won great success nv
demolshhs the income tax project. while ap.
peaflng 20 defend it. l received applause from
the Right and Centre Ohio Royalist and Con.
serYauF' sections OF the Chnmber) without too
great!! "spleasing the Left tthe Radical and
Socialist secuons) / succeeded in giving a
tur rilrt 70 t.e htlm'dn the. direction needed.
did not end tin l2:i5
y am harassed, at the end of my strength,
SAd almost SICK, but shall have rendered a
sFeaL service TO the country. THY 10"
- was the publication o, this letter which
ied Madame CallauX TO Kill Editor Calmette.
u vas said that the letter was addressed 10 her
when she was still 1.-The wife OF Leon Claretie \
NNastHguished writer who contributed to the
On March s, just before the letter that pro-
VoAed the fatal shots, NJ Calmette pubIishe1
ne following lypica!ly Partisan article about
CaillauX - ~,
We could hardly bring ourselves to believe
IT, stun less 20 publish It, for such a short tim,
has passed since the last looping the loon q.
our Minister Of Finance on the subiec, Of ,bs
immunity OF The Rente and then OF its taxation