New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-14
.DELCkSSE LONG
FOUGHT GERMANY
France Looked on Him as
Stanchest Foe of
Berlin.


Paris. Oct. l3.-Theophile Delcasse
has resigned. The man whose inspira-
ton led to the formation Of the Triple
Entente has retired from the Foreign
Ministry. The diplomat who reused
Germany in 1905, when he defed the
Wilhelmstrasse in the Moroccan crisis;
who stirred her again In 1911. when he
ventured to increase the French navy
is no longer in power.
Paris wonders. The resignation has
caused widespread comment in diplo-
matte and Parliamentary circles here,
for Delcasse has taken a very PROM
nent part in shaping the foreign policy
Of the government since the first
months of the war. His retirement at
this time, when the Balkan situation Is
acute, has been received with some sur
prise.
Those closely identified with govern
mental affairs were not entirely UMPIRE
pared for the change. The burdens OF
his task have long weighed heavily on
NJ. Delcasse One Of the main reasons
assigned for the retirement Of the For
eign Minister is that he Is suffering
greatly from fatigue. Recently he had
an attack bordering on nervous exhaus-
ton and was forced to keep to his
room.
Born in 1852 Of peasant parents with
means, VI. Delcasse was educated at the
Sorbonne. Then he determined to enter
journalism. There are those in Paris
who remember how a very small and
very Young man called on Gambetta and
sought work on LA Republique Fran
eaise," intent on helping France TO re-
cover from the Terrible Year. The en-
thusiastic, confident youth began then
his career in Paris.
Chosen Deputy in 1889.
Delcasse was elected TO the Chamber
Of Deputies in 1889 and soon made his
ability felt there. He became Minis
ter Of the Colonies In 1894, a post es-
tablished through his efforts. For four
years he worked to develop a great
colonial empire, until, in 1898, he be-
came Foreign Minister. Through his eff
forts Great Britain, Russia and France
were bonded In an alliance and Italy
was estranged from the Triple Ali
ance.
Paris had come TO look on NJ. Del
casse as Germany's stanchest foe, and
the Wilhelmstrasse would have vouched
for that opinion. The first collision
between the Foreign Minister and
Kultur came in 1905, when Germany
was intent on annexing Morocco. When
the Kaiser's ENJOYS learned that Del
casse had won Britain's pledge TO aid
France if Germany fought over this
African dispute they demanded the
Foreign Minister'S head. Delcasse
would have defied the Teutons, but
Rouvier, the Prime Minister, was not
so valiant, and Delcasse resigned.
France expected greater things of
Delcasse. He remained in the Chamber
and welded considerable power. Gle
menceau, the veteran Cabinet maker,
felt that power and bowed before it.
The German matter brought the issue
between the two men to a head; the
Chamber backed Delcasse, and Clemen-
ceau was forced TO resign.
There were reports to-day that
Clemenceau had not forgotten that de-
feat. And there were rumors that
Clemenceau had played some part in
the events which led up to Delcasse's
resignation.
Germany's Wrath Stirred.
Delcasse was recalled TO the Cabinet
Is Minister of Marine in 1912. His de-
nance Of Won Tirpitz and his programme
for a large French navy again reused
Germany's wrath, and Berlin once more
asked for the ministers resignation.
Again Paris gave In and Delcasse re-
tired.
When Poincare came into power he
sought Delcasse's services. Poincare
could not give him Cabinet post. be-
cause Germany's attitude still carried
weight So he sent Delcasse to Russia,
where as ambassador he did all in his
power 20 thwart Germany's ambitions.
When Germany declared war, in Au-
gust, 1914, Delcasse was recalled 70 the
Cabinet.
Premier Viviani will take up Del
cases work where he left IT, Paris
sees Delcssse go, feeling that her ablest
diplomat has retired.