Evening star., 1914-04-18
HIS FRIENDS OBJECT
TO HIS RETIREMENT
Caillaux. Whose Wife Shot CAL
mette. Is Still Power in
Politics.
PARIS, April 10. 1914.

Joseph CaillauX. the leader of the rad
icaI and the socialist-radcal parties. will
not be allowed by his friends to retire
from French politics. as he announced he
would do the day after his wife shot
CASTOR Calmctte, the editor OF the Figaro.
NJ. Caillaux did withdraw as finance min
lister from the cabinet he constructed
with NJ Doumergue as the premier, but
he is still constantly consulted by sub
ordinate leaders of the two great groups
in the chamber of which he is the chief.
Md it is understood to be his advice
which guides the campaign now going
on throughout France for the elections
April Is.
The first popular impression after the
killing of Calmette that caIliauX
career was ruined. No on" appears 10
think so now. as it became eHidehf that
he could have had nothing Whatever 10
do with causing an act that thre" INTO
disorder his far-reachins polltlcal plans.
The opinion of old parliamentary OBJ
servers is that the shooting OF oallnette
is only an incident in the rise OF the
most powerful politician in France: not
the ablest nor the most winning per
sonality in French politics but the most
capable organizer of the forces OF as
content and change among that great
mass OF the people between the extreme
socialists and the moderate conseiNa-
tives
Wealth Subject of Gossip.
Caillaux is moro gifted organizer
probably than any other politician III
France and employs every resource o.
interest and patronage i'll maintaining
his voting machine II appears that WIN
in the last four months nearly one-hal
Of tho prefects-thc chief civil adnihis-
traitors or governors-of the departments
of France have been replaced by sup
porters OF the ministry. The prelects
and deputy projects are able TO influence
greatly district politics.
NJ Caillaux-s wealth is . subject 81
gossip. He said on one occasion ihat ne
had inherited S:t9o.oOl from his tather
and it is obvious that this sum has grown.
for he is a director in various important
institutions. among them the Egyptian
president. and the Credit Foncier Of Ar-
sentina of which he is president re IS
sometimes spoken OF AS worth 'aiW'.'"W
francs (Sto.9a9,00l. but TINS p'ooahiE IS
exaggerated
Although a statesman OF immense in
tluence. he is also hated and distrusted
ly the conservative and moderate repup-
lican interests. He is represented pE ms
enemies as a sinister figure one OF me
most dangerous men of the times. Against
he is a high-minded man who has shown
himself too adroit for his adversaries,
who have had. therefore. recourse 10
detraction in an effort 10 break nm down.
Diverse Views on Smoking.
Is smoking TO help literary compost
ton?
Emile Faguet. the academician, who is
an invetera;e smoker. thinks not.
smoke a great deal. but ! do not believe
that it does any good. even think 1t
may do harm
Andre Theuriet. the novelist. who alter
mates between. pipe and ci2afette. SAYS:
II have never found that the habit has
the least influence on what is commonly
called Inspiration.
Pierre Lott shares his colleagues opin-
ion: "As far | have observed. the
use of the cigarette has no effect what
ever on my faculties.
Among smokers Who are members of